Former Texas golfer Brax McCarthy of Fort Worth will return to defend his title in the 48th Tanos Exploration II/Patterson-UTI Drilling Texas State Open. The 72-hole tournament begins Tuesday at The Cascades Club in Tyler.
McCarthy won the tournament by eight shots last year after shooting an 18-under 262 at Trinity Forest Golf Club, which played to a par 70. It was the first big-field tournament played at Trinity Forest before the AT&T Byron Nelson moved there in May and played to a par 71. Aaron Wise won the Nelson with a score of 23-under 261.
The professionals in the 156-player field will compete for a $200,000 projected purse.