HOUSTON — Paul Waring raced to a 7-under 63 Thursday at the Houston Open, taking a one-shot lead over Gary Woodland after making a critical escape on his final hole.
Waring, who was leaking shots in recent tournaments, found himself in trouble on the par-5 eighth when his approach splashed into a hazard area. Instead of taking a drop, he opted to play it from the creek bank. The gamble paid off as he blasted out to 20 feet and salvaged par to complete a bogey-free round.
“This week, a lot tidier,” Waring said. “No bogeys and… I’ve just been told I holed over 160 foot of putts today, which is massive and gives you a massive advantage.”
Both Waring and Woodland are navigating significant challenges in their careers.
Woodland, the 2019 U.S. Open champion, underwent brain surgery to remove a lesion in September 2023. Two weeks ago, he revealed his struggle with post-traumatic stress disorder in an emotional Golf Channel interview.
“I was crying going into the interview, and I left feeling a thousand pounds lighter,” Woodland said after finishing with birdies on his last two holes for a 64.
The 42-year-old Waring earned his PGA Tour card through his European tour standing after winning in Abu Dhabi late in 2024. But a shoulder injury that required cortisone shots sidelined him for five months starting in July, complicating his transition to the PGA Tour.
He missed cuts in his first three PGA Tour starts but remained confident he could fix his mistakes. That patience paid off Thursday as he drained putts from everywhere, including an 18-footer to save par on the 17th after finding water off the tee.
Woodland’s round was nearly flawless until a bogey at the par-3 seventh when he found a deep bunker. He responded immediately with a birdie on the par-5 eighth and added another on his final hole to finish at 6-under.
Sam Burns, Michael Brennan and Tom Hoge sit two back after posting 65s, while Marco Penge, who tied for fourth at Innisbrook last week, headlines a larger group at 66.
Brooks Koepka, who consulted on Memorial Park’s design, imploded midway through his round. He made three consecutive double bogeys starting at the par-3 seventh—finding water twice and struggling in a bunker—leading to a disappointing 75. He’ll need his best round of the year Friday to make the cut before heading to the Masters.
This is the final week for players to crack the top 50 in the world rankings and earn a Masters invitation. Pierceson Coody sits precariously at No. 51 and opened with a 70, leaving him outside the projected cut line heading into Friday.
A win would also secure a Masters spot for Waring, who has played in only seven majors throughout his career and was forced to skip last year’s British Open with his shoulder issue.
“All the work has been around what I did that couple years ago to get myself back in this place that I am now,” Waring said. “So hopefully, I can build on this today. See how the week goes.”
