Patrick Rodgers birdied five of his last six holes to close with a 67 and take the clubhouse lead at 11-under before play was suspended due to darkness at 7:53 p.m. in the Valero Texas Open.
66-67 👏
Consistent play has @PRodgersGolf in the lead @ValeroTXOpen. pic.twitter.com/bDiKQEPq9E
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) March 31, 2023
Players who did not complete their round will be back in position Saturday at 7:40 a.m. Third round tee times will run from approximately 10 a.m. – 12 noon with threesomes off Nos. 1 and 10.
Rodgers had had three runner-up finishes in 234 starts on Tour but is still looking for his first title.
“It’s something I’ve always dreamt of,” said the American. “I’m excited for the chance. It’s going to be a really fun next couple of days.”
“I’m really proud that the work that I’ve been putting in week in and week out even when it wasn’t paying off on the golf course. Now it’s starting to and I’m happy with the patience that I’ve showed to get here.
“It’s a very demanding golf course. I think experience definitely makes me more comfortable around here. It’s demanding mentally because you know that on both sides of every hole there’s some pretty thick forest and some places you don’t want to be. It’s just been helpful to focus on where I’m trying to hit it and manage the golf course well and I’ve done a great job of that for two days.”
First-round leader and 2019 champion Corey Conners of Canada closed with a 72 and lies in a share of second place at 8-under alongside Mexico’s Roberto Diaz who is 4-under through 10 holes.
Michael Thompson carded a 68 for a share of fourth place at 7-under alongisde fellow American Brendon Todd who is 5-under through 15 holes.
