SAN ANTONIO — The field at the 2024 edition of the Valero Texas Open was perhaps the best in decades, with Rory McIlroy, Max Homa, Hideki Matsuyama, Jordan Speith and other top players getting in some work before heading off to Augusta National while those on the outside were looking to earn their way into the 2024 Masters field.
But while everyone came on TPC San Antonio’s Oaks Course with the intent of getting their share of a $9.2 million purse a number didn’t make it the weekend as strong winds and fast greens wreaked havoc on a number of players who were sent packing.
The cut was projected at even par for much of the afternoon, then fluctuated a few times before finally settling at 1 over.
Here’s a look at some of the big names on the wrong side of the cutline.
Eric Cole of the United States plays his tee shoot on the 14th hole during the first round of the Valero Texas Open at TPC San Antonio on April 04, 2024 in San Antonio, Texas. (Photo by Raj Mehta/Getty Images)
After starting the season with four top-15 finishes in his first seven starts things have gone a little sideways on Cole, who has now missed the cut in three of his last five. The 2022-23 PGA Tour Rookie of the Year needed a birdie on the par-5 18th hole, but put his second shot in the creek and missed the weekend.
Matt Kuchar walks down the fairway after hitting a tee shot on the 10th hole during the second round of the Valero Texas Open golf tournament. Mandatory Credit: Erik Williams-USA TODAY Sports
Sadly, this has become the norm this year for Kuchar, who came into this season making the cut 72 percent of the time in his 536 PGA Tour starts. This year, however, he’s made just two of nine cuts and while he didn’t play poorly on Friday, a handful of small mistakes knocked him out of the weekend.
Billy Horschel of the United States plays his tee shoot on the 14th hole during the first round of the Valero Texas Open at TPC San Antonio on April 04, 2024 in San Antonio, Texas. (Photo by Raj Mehta/Getty Images)
Horschel’s 10th appearance at the Valero was anything but memorable, especially in light of his past success here which included a pair of runner-up finishes. After saying he was focused on qualifying for the 2024 Masters, Horschel came out of the gates with a whimper, falling four shots over par in his first four holes.
Rickie Fowler walks down the fairway after teeing off at the first hole during the first round of the Valero Texas Open golf tournament. Mandatory Credit: Erik Williams-USA TODAY Sports
Fowler started slowly in San Antonio, a double-bogey on his ninth hole of the first round rounding out an ugly 40 that put him behind the 8-ball. He climbed back into contention for the weekend with a solid front nine on Friday but then posted three bogeys on the back to miss the cut.
Harris English of the United States looks on during the first round of the Valero Texas Open at TPC San Antonio on April 04, 2024 in San Antonio, Texas. (Photo by Raj Mehta/Getty Images)
Talk about ending the work week on a downer, English was hovering around the cutline late Friday, but then went 5 over in his final four holes to fall off, posting three bogeys and a double on the risk-reward No. 17. English had been the model of consistency to this point in the season, making all eight cuts with six finishes inside the top 25.
Joel Dahmen of the United States looks on during the first round of the Valero Texas Open at TPC San Antonio on April 04, 2024 in San Antonio, Texas. (Photo by Raj Mehta/Getty Images)
Let’s face it, Dahmen’s game is in a tailspin right now. This marked his fifth missed cut in 10 starts this year, and he’s only cracked the top 40 one time this season. On Friday things went from bad to worse after he posted a double on No. 4. On the back four more bogeys pushed the affable Dahmen well off the cutline.
Tom Kim of South Korea plays his tee shot on the 4th hole during the second round of the Valero Texas Open at TPC San Antonio on April 05, 2024 in San Antonio, Texas. (Photo by Raj Mehta/Getty Images)
Friday was a day to forget for the 21-year-old as he opened with three straight bogeys and finished with a 78 to fall well off the mark. Kim had only missed one previous cut this season although he did withdraw from the Players with an illness.
