Corey Conners will walk into the Masters with a lot of confidence. The Canadian won the Valero Texas Open on Sunday, a few days before starting the first major tournament of the season.
Conners posted a -15 overall to edge Sam Stevens by just one shot. This is Conners’ second PGA Tour victory, having also won the Valero Texas Open in 2019.
Conners will look to continue his success at the Masters next week, where he took sixth last year for a second consecutive top-10 finish at Augusta National.
Stevens, who was playing in the group ahead of Conners, had a ten-foot putt on the 18th to tie the game, but his birdie attempt deflected to the right of the goal.
Aware that he had to make the par on the 18th to win, Conners landed his second par-5 shot in a bunker on the edge of the green. Despite an approach shot and two putts, Conners was able to secure the par to confirm his triumph.
One stroke behind Patrick Rodgers early in the round, Conners had a three-stroke lead following birdie on the 15th hole. Stevens eagled on the 17th, but he mightn’t continue his charge.
Rodgers saw his chance to earn his first victory on the circuit and earn his first invitation to the Masters tournament gone. He shot 73 to finish fifth at -11.
Stevens played 66. Sam Ryder (66) and Matt Kuchar (68) followed at -13.
Stevens finished third last week at the PGA Tour stop in the Dominican Republic.
Conners led in Texas following posting a first-round 64. He struggled more in the second round, bringing home a 72.
Conners’ best result since winning in 2019 was a third-place finish at the Arnold Palmer Invitational last year.
