Corey Conners wins Valero Texas Open for second time
Posted April 2, 2023 5:20 pm.
Last Updated April 2, 2023 5:46 pm.
Canadian Corey Conners won the Valero Texas Open in San Antonio on Sunday, claiming his second career PGA Tour victory at the same event he won as a Monday qualifier in 2019.
Conners, from Listowel, Ont., carded a bogey-free round of 4-under 68 to finish 15 under for the tournament — one stroke better than hard-charging American Sam Stevens.
“I was really solid all day. It was a battle out here all day, the conditions were not easy,” Conners told NBC after the win.
The 31-year-old Conners started the day one back of Patrick Rodgers, but had taken a three-stroke lead by the turn, thanks to a trio of birdies, as the American dropped back.
Conners’ lead shrunk to one when Stevens, playing a group ahead of the Canadian, made an eagle on the par-4 17th. But Stevens just missed an eight-footer for birdie on the par-5 18th, allowing Conners to win it with a par.
Canadians to win 2 PGA Tour titles in the same event
Mike Weir 2003 & 2004 Nissan Open
Stephen Ames 2007 & 2009 Children's Miracle Network Classic
Corey Conners 2019 & 2023 Valero Texas Open pic.twitter.com/sQUi6tXHlM
— Sportsnet Stats (@SNstats) April 2, 2023
The win gives Conners a nice boost heading into the first major of the season next week — the Masters. Conners has finished in the top 10 in Augusta, Ga. the past three years, with his tie for sixth last year as his best result.
Conners is 40th in the World Golf Rankings, best amongst Canadians.
The win is the third for a Canadian in the 2022-23 PGA Tour season — the most ever. Mackenzie Hughes and Adam Svensson won events in the fall.
