Gamez ends victory drought

En route to his first win since his 1990 rookie campaign, Robert Gamez birdied his first three holes and never looked back, posting a three-shot victory at the Valero Texas Open.

It had been over 15 years since Gamez won the Bay Hill Invitational in 1990, but he did not play the Resort Course at LaCantera Golf Club like someone desperate for a win. He carded six birdies without a bogey on his way to a six-under-par 64 and winning total of 18-under 262.

The span between Gamez’s victories is a PGA Tour record.

“I was ready for it and started really quick,” Gamez said. “I hit it good all day and it’s a great feeling.”

Gamez, who broke a winless drought of 394 events, started the day a shot off the lead but carded birdies on his first three holes to take control. He added birdies on the 11th, 13th and 14th.

After a tap-in par at the 18th, he could celebrate winning €523,000 and a two-year tour exemption.

Olin Browne made a move up the leaderboard with a six-under 64 to finish alone in second at 15-under 265. Mark Wilson (68) and Woody Austin (69) tied for third at 266.

David Duval, once the number one golfer in the world, made his first cut of the season and finished tied for 60th at one over after a final-round 74. Duval withdrew from his first event in January and had missed 16 consecutive cuts before this week.