Mark Hubbard (-7) grabbed the early lead in Round 1 of the Valero Texas Open at the Oaks Course, producing a composed and confident performance to finish one shot clear of a tightly packed chasing group. His sharp ball-striking and steady putting gave him the edge on a demanding opening day.

Just behind at -6, a cluster of contenders including Tony Finau, Davis Thompson, Andrew Putnam, Robert MacIntyre, and Spencer Fisk, kept themselves firmly in the mix, showcasing consistency and resilience. A large group at -5 added further depth to the leaderboard, featuring Will Zalatoris, Sam Ryder, Tommy Fleetwood, Maverick McNealy, Christo Lamprecht, Eric Cole, Ludvig Åberg, and Kevin Roy.

With Hubbard narrowly ahead and a host of world-class players within two shots, the Valero Texas Open is already shaping up to be a tightly contested battle.