New course spices start of Texas swing

No one knows what to expect when the Valero Texas Open begins today in San Antonio, not even defending champion Zach Johnson, who will be trying to score a three-peat in the fourth-oldest tournament on the PGA Tour schedule. One might think Johnson would have an edge, but the event is being played on a course that just opened in January, a twist that leaves everyone guessing on how things will unfold as the tour begins a three-tournament swing through Texas.

Last year the tournament, which has gone through 16 name changes while maintaining ties to San Antonio, moved to the spring from the fall for the first time since 1972 as the tour revamped its schedule. Johnson made a birdie on the first playoff hole to top James Driscoll at The Resort at La Cantera, which had played host to the event since 1995. This year the event is moving to the new TPC San Antonio (AT&T Oaks Course) and Johnson will try to win it a third straight time against a field that includes only two of the top 25 players on the PGA Tour money list (Ernie Els and J.B. Holmes).

In the past, the tournament has been associated with low scoring. In 2003, Tommy Armour III shot a 254 at La Cantera to set the record for lowest 72-hole score in PGA Tour history. His score of 26 under was a tour record for par-70 courses. But that association is likely to end this week because the AT&T Oaks won't stand for any such assault, not with its course rating of 76.5 and a slope of 148.

The par-72 course, which can play at 7,522 yards, was designed by Greg Norman with Sergio Garcia acting as a player consultant. It features thick rough, tight fairways and three par 5s measuring more than 600 yards. It will be the second-longest course among primary PGA Tour stops so far this year, the longest being Torrey Pines South.

Johnson was four strokes worse last year in defense of his title but still managed a repeat. In 2008, he was 19 under in defeating Charlie Wi, Tim Wilkinson and Mark Wilson by two strokes. Johnson has yet to finish inside the top 10 in 11 PGA Tour starts this year and has managed just five finishes inside the top 25 this year after registering 16 in 2009. His biggest problem has been putting. His one-putt percentage is just 38.6, which ranks 61st on the tour.

Els, a two-time winner this year, will be making his first start in the tournament this week in an effort to pad his lead in the FedEx Cup standings. Garcia, who is seeking is first win since the 2008 Players Championship, will be making just his second career start in the Valero Texas Open. He finished 79th in 2003.

Three-time Valero Texas Open winner Justin Leonard will also be in the field along with Vijay Singh, Bo Van Pelt and Nick Watney. Golf Channel (today-Fri., 3-6 p.m.) and CBS (Sat.-Sun. 3-6 p.m.) will telecast the action.

WOODS INJURY UPDATE: After a magnetic resonance imaging yesterday in Orlando, Fla., it was determined that Tiger Woods has an inflamed facet joint in his neck. When the facet joints are inflamed, it causes pain in the affected area as well as headaches and difficulty rotating the head.

"I want to thank everyone for their caring and concern," Woods said on his website. "I now need to take care of this condition and will return to playing golf when I'm physically able."

Physical therapy, including soft-tissue massage, rest and anti-inflammatory medicine will be used to treat the injury. The prognosis for Woods is a full recovery, although a return date to competitive golf is contingent on how quickly the condition heals.

Information from GolfObserver.com, ESPN.com, PGATOUR.com and TigerWoods.com contributed to this post.