“It was definitely a battle out there” - Corey Conners overjoyed after winning the Valero Texas Open again

For Corey Conners, TPC San Antonio emerged as a lucky course once again as he triumphed at the 2023 Valero Texas Open on Sunday. This was his second win in the event and the second PGA Tour victory of his career.

Conners carded a bogey-free 4-under 68 to beat local boy Sam Stevens by a single-stroke difference. He was trailing by a stroke after three days but began the fourth round in good touch by holing three birdies on the front nine, including an 18-footer.

Conners said in a press conference:

"It was definitely a battle out there today, but I trusted my ability and thought about a lot of good shots I had hit previously in the week with certain conditions. It was definitely tough out there, but I'm really happy and proud of the way I battled.

"Kept things pretty simple, that was kind of my focus starting the day, get it in play off the tee, get it on the greens and was able to do that. Made a couple nice putts when I needed to and overall just a special day. Yeah, glad it's over with, but really thrilled to have come out on top."

The 31-year-old Canadian has never missed a cut at the Valero Texas Open and his worst performance in the event has been a T-35. He will receive $1,602,000 for his Sunday victory.

PGA Tour rookie Sam Stevens was impressive on the fourth day at TPC San Antonio as he carded two eagles to post a 6-under 66. He missed an 8-foot birdie on the last hole, hence settling for the runner-up position.

Matt Kuchar and Sam Ryder finished tied third with an aggregate score of 13-under 275. While Ryder carded a 6-under 68 on the final day, Kuchar posted a total of 4-under 68. This was Kuchar's fifth top-10 finish in the event. Last year he finished second at TPC San Antonio.

Patrick Rodgers was leading after 54 holes but a poor showing on Sunday meant he had to settle for fifth position. Rodgers shot a fourth round of 1-over 73 that included five bogeys, four of which came on the front nine itself.

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The 2023 Valero Texas Open leaderboard explored

PGA Tour rookie Sam Stevens was impressive at the 2023 Valero Texas Open as he finished runner-up at the event

Here's the leaderboard for the 2023 Valero Texas Open

• 1. Corey Conners: 15-under 273
• 2. Sam Stevens: 14-under 274
• T3. Sam Ryder: 13-under 275
• T3. Matt Kuchar: 13-under 275
• 5. Patrick Rodgers: 11-under 277
• T6. Chez Reavie: 10-under 279
• T6. Lee Hodges: 10-under 279
• T6. Byeong Hun An: 10-under 279
• 9. Andrew Novak: 9-under 280
• T10. Ben Martin: 8-under 281
• T10. Hayden Buckley: 8-under 281
• T10. Rickie Fowler: 8-under 281
• T10. Padraig Harrington: 8-under 281
• T10. Chris Kirk: 8-under 281
• T15. Robby Shelton: 7-under 281
• T15. MJ Daffue: 7-under 281
• T15. Lanto Griffin: 7-under 281
• T15. Alex Noren: 7-under 281
• T15. Nick Taylor: 7-under 281
• T15. S.H. Kim: 7-under 281
• T15. Hideki Matsuyama: 7-under 281