Patrick Rodgers held on to his lead at the Valero Texas Open after closing with a 71 on Saturday to reach 12-under.
“I felt like I drove it really well to put myself in good positions to score. I didn’t quite take advantage the way that I had in the previous rounds, a little sloppy with the wedge play, a little sloppy on the greens, but I knew there was a long way to go heading into today and part of it was being patient and hanging in there and giving myself a nice opportunity tomorrow.
“It’s going to require good golf. There’s a lot of guys chasing and great players out here. Obviously there’s no better place to be than to have an advantage, but it’s going to take a great round in order to get it done.”
The American has recorded three runner-up finishes but has yet to win in 234 starts on Tour and four attempts with the 54-hole lead/co-lead.
“I think we all know what’s at stake with a win out here. I haven’t gotten the job done in my career, but it’s quite a thrill. This is why I play, why I compete and I can’t wait to get out there tomorrow.”
His best finish so far this season was T3 at the 2022 Butterfield Bermuda Championship.
First-round leader Corey Conners of Canada, who won the event in 2019, lies in second place at 11-under after carding a 69, in spite of a double bogey at the par-4 6th.
What a shot 🔥
This ball did everything but go in for @CoreConn. pic.twitter.com/xoSpEl2Wbz
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) April 1, 2023
Last year’s runner-up, American Matt Kuchar, also posted a 69 in spite of a double bogey at the par-5 18th.
Fellow Americans Sam Stevens (68) and Chris Kirk (69) are tied in fourth place at 8-under.
Stevens finished T3 at last week’s Corales Puntacana Championship and is aiming for a first win in his 17th start.
Nicolai Hojgaard of Denmark (T18/5-under) and Ryan Gerard of the USA (T43/2-under) are in good shape to earn PGA Tour Special Temporary Membership this week. Gerard needs a solo-68th or better, while Hojgaard needs to finish in a two-way T46 or better.
Sweden’s Henrik Norlander’s (T63/3-over) 93’ 4” putt for birdie at the 13th is the second-longest made putt on Tour this season; Harris English made a 100’ 3” putt on the sixth hole in round two of the WM Phoenix Open.
FROM 93 FEET 🤯
An insane roll from Henrik Norlander @ValeroTXOpen. pic.twitter.com/InhqcpPUFR
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) April 1, 2023
