Late birdie streak sees Mark Hubbard rise to the top at Valero Texas Open

The American enjoyed a superlative back nine to sign for a seven under around the Oaks Course at TPC San Antonio, enough to separate him from the chasing pack of five that includes Tony Finau and Scotland's Robert MacIntyre.

Hubbard was part of the pack when he started the back nine, but went on a birdie blitz that saw him gain six shots over eight holes to get ahead. His irons and scrambled were excellent, often putting him within six feet of the pin, and his red-hot putter did the rest.  

Play was suspended due to darkness moments after Hubbard got home, leaving 24 players with extra work on Friday.

Meanwhile, Finau endured a tumultuous round. He started with a bogey and limped along, finally standing at the 13th tee at one under. But he birdied that hole then rolled in a 40-foot eagle putt on the par five 14th.

"And then I was kind of on my way after that," quipped Finau, as he birdied his final two holes as well.

Further down the leaderboard, a large group are on five under, including Englishman Tommy Fleetwood and South Africa's Christo Lamprecht.