Paul Waring overcame a potentially costly mistake to card a brilliant opening round at the Houston Open, firing a 7-under 63 that gave him a one-shot advantage over former U.S. Open champion Gary Woodland.
The Englishman's round could have been derailed when his approach shot on the par-5 eighth hole found trouble in a hazard area near a creek. With his ball sitting precariously in thick grass on the bank, Waring made the bold decision to attempt the risky shot rather than take a penalty.
"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."
The gamble paid off as he blasted the ball to 20 feet and salvaged a two-putt par, preserving what became a bogey-free round at Memorial Park.
Woodland, meanwhile, delivered his own impressive performance with a 64, highlighted by strong closing holes despite facing personal battles off the course. The 2019 U.S. Open champion underwent brain surgery to remove a lesion in September 2023 and recently revealed his struggles with post-traumatic stress disorder.
"I was crying going into the interview, and I left feeling a thousand pounds lighter," Woodland said after finishing with birdies on his final two holes.
The revelation brought relief for Woodland, who found some comfort returning to Houston where he finished as runner-up last year. His round remained bogey-free until the par-3 seventh, where an aggressive approach to a left pin position landed in a deep bunker, leading to his only dropped shot.
Waring's journey to this position has been equally challenging. After winning in Abu Dhabi late in 2024 to secure his PGA Tour card through European Tour standings, shoulder problems requiring cortisone shots eventually sidelined him for five months starting in July.
The transition to the PGA Tour proved difficult for the 42-year-old, who struggled with unfamiliar faces and missed the cut in his first three starts. However, he remained confident in his ability to address the technical issues in his game.
Sam Burns, Michael Brennan, and Tom Hoge sit three shots back at 65, while Marco Penge headlines a large group at 66. Penge continued his recent strong form after tying for fourth at Innisbrook last week.
Brooks Koepka endured a nightmare middle stretch that derailed his round on the course he helped design. Three consecutive double bogeys on holes seven, nine, and ten led to a disappointing 75, leaving him needing a exceptional second round to make the weekend.
For Waring, a victory would represent the ultimate prize—a trip to Augusta National. Having played just seven major championships in his career and missing last year's British Open due to his shoulder injury, the opportunity represents a dream scenario.
"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."
With three rounds remaining, both Waring and Woodland will look to continue their inspiring comebacks while chasing what would be career-defining victories in Houston.