2019 champion Corey Conners started the day one shot behind the lead and closed with a bogey-free 68 to win the Valero Texas Open by one shot at 15-under.
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“[I’ve] been feeling really good about my game and have been really excited to get back here to San Antonio with all the good memories from 2019, even playing well over the last few years.
“It was definitely a battle out there today, but I trusted my ability and thought about a lot of good shots I had hit previously in the week with certain conditions. It was definitely tough out there, but I’m really happy and proud of the way I battled. Kept things pretty simple, that was kind of my focus starting the day, get it in play off the tee, get it on the greens and was able to do that. Made a couple nice putts when I needed to and overall just a special day. Glad it’s over with, but really thrilled to have come out on top.”
The Canadian is the first player since K.H. Lee (2021, 2022 AT&T Byron Nelson) to record his first two Tour victories at the same event in his 153rd start.
After opening with an 8-under 64, he becomes the first player to carry the first-round lead/co-lead on to victory since the event moved to TPC San Antonio in 2010.
“I feel like my shot shape, I can just see like turning the ball from right to left,” he said of why he likes the course. “There are so many holes out here that maybe it might not be the ideal shape, I just see my shot shape fitting into these holes. There’s a number of holes that are right to left that I really like and took advantage of throughout the week, No. 6 and 15 particularly. Was able to hit aggressive tee shots on both of those holes just trusting my shot shape.
“Like the par 5s, they’re all challenging, there’s no gimmes on those. You’ve got to hit smart shots and leave yourself in the right places to make birdies there. Wasn’t able to do that as well today, but still gave myself some chances.
“I think it’s really demanding off the tee and into the greens, so you really have to be in control of your iron play and your tee balls or the ball will roll off the greens, and short game
around the greens is quite tricky.”
One week after finishing T3 at the Corales Puntacana Championship, rookie Sam Stevens of the USA finishes a career-best runner-up after carding a final round 66 that featured two eagles at the par-5 8th and the par-4 17th but also three bogeys.
2001 and 2022 runner-up Matt Kuchar tied for third at 13-under after closing with a 68, marking his tournament-record 17th consecutive par-or-better round in the event. He has had seven top-15 finishes in his last 11 starts at TPC San Antonio.
Fellow American Sam Ryder shared third place after a closing 66, recording his second top-five finish in his last seven starts (T4/2023 Farmers Insurance Open).
Patrick Rodgers (USA), seeking his first win in 235 starts, carded a 73 and falls to 0-for-4 in his attempts to convert 36- and 54-hole lead/co-leads on to victory. He finished solo fifth at 11-under.
Nicolai Hojgaard of Denmark (T28/5-under) and Ryan Gerard of the USA (T56/1-over) earn Special Temporary Membership on the PGA Tour.
Nicolai Hojgaard (T28) and Ryan Gerard (T56) secured Special Temporary Membership this week at the Valero Texas Open. pic.twitter.com/Nc7PrjgmrJ
— PGA TOUR Communications (@PGATOURComms) April 2, 2023
