With a Masters Invitation on the Line, Patrick Rodgers Leads the Valero Texas Open

Patrick Rodgers took a commanding lead of the Valero Texas Open on Friday, and he’s doing it with a lot at stake. As Rodgers heads into the weekend in San Antonio, he’ll eye both his maiden PGA Tour victory and an invitation to the Masters.

After weather delays pushed back Round 1 tee times, Rodgers had a long Friday ahead of him. The Stanford golf product had 23 holes to play, but he polished them off smoothly. Rodgers’s opening round 6-under 66 lead into a 5-under 67, which he capped off by carding five birdies within his final six holes.

Rodgers’s opening scores put him at 11 under for the tournament, three strokes ahead of Canada’s Corey Conners, who finished Round 2 at 8 under. Michael Thompson ended his round in third at 7 under.

66-67 👏

Consistent play has @PRodgersGolf in the lead @ValeroTXOpen. pic.twitter.com/bDiKQEPq9E
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) March 31, 2023

Rodgers's iron play has been his strong suit this week, as he lead the field in strokes-gained approach.

“That's been a huge area of focus for me, it's been what's keeping me from playing better golf and yeah, I'm really proud that the work that I've been putting in week in and week out even when it wasn't paying off on the golf course. Now it's starting to and I'm happy with the patience that I've showed to get here,” Rodgers said.

Rodgers has played on the PGA Tour since 2014, but he has yet to enter the winners circle. A victory at Valero would not only help him breakthrough in that category, but it would send him to the Augusta National for the first time. The 30-year-old has only teed it up in five major championships throughout his career.

“It's something I've always dreamt of, it's the reason why I'm out here,” Rodgers said of the chance to win this weekend. “I love this job because I love to compete and I do my best to win a golf tournament every time I tee it up. I'm excited for the chance. This is, like I said, why I play. It's going to be a really fun next couple of days.”

All but 10 players in the Valero field are chasing an invitation to the Masters, Rickie Fowler being the most prominent name in that contingent. Fowler, who currently sits at No. 59 in the world (No. 40 SIWGR), will need a stellar weekend at TPC San Antonio’s Oaks Course, as he stands 10 strokes back at 1 under for the tournament.