Creel earns first PGA Tour start via qualifying for Valero Texas Open

SAN ANTONIO, Texas – Former Central Oklahoma national champion Josh Creel will make his first appearance on the Professional Golfers Association (PGA) Tour Thursday when he tees up at the Valero Texas Open.

The 28-year-old Creel earned a spot in the 156-player field by firing a bogey-free, 7-under-par 65 in Monday’s qualifying event at Briggs Ranch Country Club in San Antonio.  He opens first-round play at 2:10 p.m. Thursday on the 10th hole at the 7,435-yard, par-72 TPC San Antonio.

The top 70 players and ties after 36 holes make the cut and advance to the final two days in the $6.2 million event.  Creel is the first former UCO player to compete in a PGA Tour event since Robin Freeman in 2015.

Creel was a two-year standout for the Bronchos from 2010-12, compiling a 71.83 scoring average in 24 career tournaments.  He finished in the top 10 in 17 of those 24 events, winning four titles.

Creel was a two-time first-team All-Region selection, made second-team All-American as a junior and was a first-team All-American his final season.  He became UCO’s second individual national champion in 2012, winning the tournament on the first hole of a playoff after finishing with a 10-under 206 total.

Creel has competed on various tours around the country since playing for the Bronchos and owns a pair of wins on the Adams Tour.  He has also played in several Web.com Tour events the past two years.