Corey Conners nabs second Valero Texas Open title, denies late Masters bids

At the 2019 Valero Texas Open, Corey Conners became the first Monday Qualifier to win on the PGA Tour in nine years.

Four years later, Conners is a winner on the PGA Tour once again, but this time without surviving the theatrics of a 6-for-1 playoff just to get into the field.

Conners shot a final-round 68 at TPC San Antonio Sunday to come from behind and win the 2023 Valero Texas Open by one strokes over Sam Stevens.

The win for the Canadian, his second on the PGA Tour and at the event, ended any hope of a final bid to next week’s first major of the year at the Masters. Conners and Honda Classic winner Chris Kirk were the only players on in the top 10 of the leaderboard who had already secured their spots for Augusta.

One final spot was available for this week’s winner if he was not already qualified.

Overnight leader Patrick Rodgers was one of those players looking to grab that final invitation. The 30-year-old was still seeking his first career PGA Tour victory after several close calls. The 54-hole lead was the fourth of his career, and the second this season after he led through three rounds at the RSM Classic.

However, Rodgers lost all momentum with a run of three bogeys in four holes on the front nine. Playing in the final group with Rodgers and Matt Kuchar, Conners sprinted ahead, gaining four strokes on Rodgers over the final four holes of the side.

Rodgers’ lead, which was as many as six on Saturday, was now a four-shot deficit making the turn.

The late charges then came from Sam Ryder, who shot 66 to get in the clubhouse first at 13 under, and Stevens.

Stevens drove the green and made eagle on the 17th to cut Conners’ lead to one, but his last-gasp effort came up short when he snap-hooked his approach on the par-5 18th into the hospitality tents left of the green and failed to get up and down.

Playing the last a one-stroke cushion ripped a mammoth 361-yard tee shot, hit his second into the left greenside bunker, and made par to secure the title.

Kuchar finished tied for third with Ryder, coming up short in his late Augusta bid. Rickie Fowler finished with a 66 to grab a backdoor top-10, but also needed a win to return to the Masters.

Jack Hirsh

Golf.com Editor

Jack Hirsh is an assistant editor at GOLF. A Pennsylvania native, Jack is a 2020 graduate of Penn State University, earning degrees in broadcast journalism and political science. He was captain of his high school golf team and still *tries* to remain competitive in local amateurs. Before joining GOLF, Jack spent two years working at a TV station in Bend, Oregon, primarily as Multimedia Journalist/reporter, but also producing, anchoring and even presenting the weather. He can be reached at jack.hirsh@golf.com.