2023 Valero Texas Open Recap
Canadian Corey Conners has found a second home at TPC San Antonio, winning the 2023 Valero Texas Open for the second time in five years on Sunday. Both of his PGA Tour wins have come in this event.
Conners trailed Patrick Rodgers by one shot going into the final round. Rodgers ended up with a 73, allowing several to pass him and battle for the victory.
A run midway through the round put Conners ahead by three shots after a birdie on the 15th hole, and he won by a stroke over rookie Sam Stevens.
“I had been feeling really good about my game, and looking forward to getting back here to San Antonio,” Conners said after shooting a 15-under 273 for the event. “When I won in 2019, it was different, a real roller-coaster final round. I dug deep on the back nine, so I tried to channel that part of it today.”
Conners now heads to Augusta for this week’s Masters with supreme confidence. The man who grew up a couple of hours away from Toronto finished sixth in the year’s first major a year ago.
“I had hoped it wouldn’t take this long after getting the first win, but I’ve still been working really hard,” he said. “Beyond my wildest dreams, really, to be a two-time winner on the PGA TOUR. I know there are going to be some happy people back in Listowel [Ontario] tonight.”
Stevens made a bid for the win following an eagle on 17, but he missed a birdie putt on 18. Conners then parred the final hole to secure the title. He placed runner-up one week after finishing third in the Corales Puntacana Championship in the Dominican Republic last week.
“I saw he had hit in the fairway, so I figured he could manage making a 5,” Stevens said. “He had it in the bag when I missed that putt on 18. I knew I had to do something cool on the last couple of holes, and I was pretty at calm, pretty at peace on 17. I couldn’t believe I got it as close as I did, and was able to make that one. That gave me a chance.”
Rodgers came into the final round with the 54-hole lead for the fourth time in his career and has come up empty each time. This one was very costly since he would’ve secured a spot in the Masters if the was able to hold on to win. Instead, he shot a 73 and finished fifth.
“Yeah, disappointing day,” said Rodgers. “I feel like I made some good swings that kind of the wind got or they landed a few yards in the wrong spots and it ended up costing me bogeys. That was my day today.”
In between Stevens (-14) and Rodgers (-11) on the leaderboard were Sam Ryder and Matt Kuchar, who tied for third at -13.
Up Next
One of the more anticipated Masters in recent memory begins on Thursday. We’ll see Tiger Woods again along with all the top stars of the PGA Tour and those from LIV Golf who are eligible to compete. Scottie Scheffler is the defending champion.
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