Texas is a happy hunting ground for Aussies

Don’t be surprised to see an Aussie come out on top in this week’s Valero Texas Open.

Last season, players from Down Under won three of four events during the Texas Swing, including the Valero Texas Open where Steve Bowditch shot a 76 on a windswept Sunday at TPC San Antonio to win by one.

“To see this kind of weather is not unusual at all,” said Bowditch, who now calls Dallas home. “So (living in Texas) has been a big benefit.”

Fellow countryman Adam Scott (pictured) completed the Texas Slam last May, winning at Colonial Country Club after victories at Houston (2007), the AT&T Byron Nelson Championship (2008) and San Antonio (2010).

Said the former Masters champion: “I’m not sure if it’s just a coincidence or thinking back over the years, sitting, answering questions about Texas a lot of the times you get the feel that it’s very similar to Australia in the way the land is.

“It’s not dissimilar, anyway. I’ve always enjoyed playing out here.”

All this has got to be highly encouraging for another Aussie ace, Matt Jones. In his 156th start a year ago, he chipped in for birdie on the first hole of a sudden-death playoff to beat Matt Kuchar in a playoff in Houston.

The victory was the first of the Australian’s career. He enters this week’s tournament at TPC San Antonio coming off a third-place finish at Bay Hill.

Meanwhile, Jason Day, who also grew up in Queensland, made his US Tour breakthrough at the 2010 AT&T Byron Nelson Championship, becoming the youngest Aussie to win the event at just 22 years old.