Sam Ryder Takes Only 21 Putts For A 63 And Leads Texas Open

Sam Ryder wasn't sure his neck would feel good enough for him to play Thursday in the Valero Texas Open. He found a swing and hardly missed a putt on his way to a 9-under 63 and a one-shot lead over Keith Mitchell in the final tournament before the Masters.

Mitchell played bogey-free in the morning for a 64, highlighted by a 3-wood from 286 yards that stopped rolling about 3 feet from the pin for a tap-in eagle on the par-5 eighth.

Former British Open champion Brian Harman had a 66.

Jordan Spieth, entertaining as ever, was in the group at 67. His round including a drive well right on the 17th on hard pan with a rock embedded about 4 inches behind his golf ball. He made clean contact and hit it to 12 feet and made the birdie putt.

Ryder, who has made the cut in all nine of his tournaments this year, had to withdraw from the pro-am Wednesday when he felt a twinge at the base of his neck. He stayed in his room and rested all day, then showed up at the course about three hours before his tee time to see if he could swing.