Valero Texas Open: Patrick Rodgers hopes to win his first championship since joining the PGA Tour in 2015 and participate in The Masters for the first time in his career.
Patrick Rodgers shot a five-under 67 on Friday to grab a three-stroke lead halfway through the second round of the weather-delayed Valero Texas Open, moving closer to his first PGA Tour victory and his first Master’s invitation.
Rodgers, who completed his first round on Friday morning with a score of 66, birdied four of his final five holes at TPC San Antonio to go to 11 under.
After shooting 72, San Antonio’s 2019 winner, Corey Conners, was eight under par. Michael Thompson was still behind after shooting 68.
The afternoon portion of the draw had little chance of completion on Friday because the competition was in catch-up mode as a result of Thursday morning’s lengthy fog delays.
66-67 👏
Consistent play has @PRodgersGolf in the lead @ValeroTXOpen. pic.twitter.com/bDiKQEPq9E
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) March 31, 2023
On the 198-yard 16th hole, Rodgers’ tee shot halted inside 8 feet. At the 17th hole, he made another birdie inside 10 feet. He completed the par-5, 593-yard 18th hole in two shots for his final birdie.
The 30-year-old Rodgers was a standout in college at Stanford, but since joining the PGA Tour in 2015, he hasn’t had a victory in 234 tournaments.
Conners made errors amid his round, losing the advantage. The par-3 16th hole, his sixth hole, was a four-putt, despite three tries coming inside four feet. On the par-3 17th, his tee ball hooked into the rough, and he chose an impractical lie, which resulted in a bogey.
Conners, who hasn’t won since winning the Texas Open four years ago, bounced back by shooting 2 under on his back nine while making birdies on both of the par fives.
Conners is already registered for the field at Augusta National the following week, but if he isn’t already qualified, the victor in San Antonio will earn the final slot at The Masters.
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