Texas Open 2023 standings, scores: Patrick Rodgers in command, Rickie Fowler eyeing Masters final invite
Quick start and quick finish helped Patrick Rodgers follow up on his opening 66th round with 67 second rounds at the 2023 Texas Open before the game was halted on Friday due to dark. Making two birdies in his opening three holes, Rodgers fell into neutral as he found himself even from day 12. With many players leading the way, Rodgers was the winner of the sprint. when five birdies in his six-hole finish pushed him 11 points below for the tournament and three strokes ahead of his closest competitor, Corey Conners.
Rodgers was prepared to do what he had never done in his previous 234 games on the PGA Tour: win. Three times runner-up in his career, the former Stanford standout will have to contend with stress, Master’s aspirations and Texas winds if he enters the winner’s circle for the first time.
Conners, the 2019 Texas Open champions, will aim to beat Rodgers on the final 36 holes to claim his second career win and advance into Augusta National with all the confidence of the world. Already in the field for mastersConners is playing with house money this week and could turn his success in San Antonio into many similar successes in Augusta, Georgia.
Leader
1. Patrick Rodgers (-11): It was a clinical first 36 holes for Rodgers as he signed for rounds 66-67 without much stress. He leads the field in terms of strokes from tee to green and strokes on approach, but this is a far cry from what he did in 2023. He entered this week as missed six of eight cuts and failed to finish in the top 10 since the RSM Classic in the fall. It will be interesting if he continues to hold power on this leaderboard over the weekend or if this is just another flash in the pan.
“[Approach play] is a big area of focus for me. That’s what’s stopping me from playing better golf, and yes, I’m really proud of the work that I do week in, week out even when it doesn’t pay off on the golf course,” said Rodgers. “It’s starting now and I’m pleased with the patience I’ve shown to get this done.”
other candidates
T2. Corey Conners, Roberto Diaz (-8)
T4. Michael Thompson, Brendon Todd (-7)
T6. Eric Cole, Thomas Detry, Matt Kuchar (-6)
T9. Chris Kirk, Michael Kim, Peter Malnati, Michael Kim, Luke List, Ben Martin, Nico Echavarria, Augusto Nunez, Harry Higgs (-5)
This gives the Honda Classic a serious feel. Between Kirk and Cole, who fought hard at the PGA National last month, and former Honda Classic champions Thompson and Harrington, there are clear similarities. Instead of looking back, though, let’s look ahead to next week and Augusta National. Conners started 2023 pretty slow as he doesn’t have a place in the top 10, but hopefully that will end this week or next. The Canadian has scored T10, T8 and T6 finishes in his last three Masters and is trending towards a similar result in the first major championship of the year.
“There’s a bit of a contradiction,” Conners said. “I feel like I’m missing out on certain parts of my game every week, whether I’m not hitting well or the type of short game let me down. I can’t really put it all together. . It was a bit difficult, but I’ve worked hard and I’m confident in my play. It’s only a matter of time before things get on track.”
Rickie Fowler’s Weekend Outlook
Fowler’s quest for the Masters is a story that started the week but could be an afterthought going into the weekend as he stands under 1 and 10 strokes behind the leader. The five-time PGA Tour winner needs to add a sixth trophy to his title to win an invitation to the Masters for the first time in two years.
Fowler enters week 10 in reach and put; he’s also ahead of the likes of Jordan Spieth, Justin Thomas and Sam Burns in total strokes per round. After struggling in the first round, he came back in the second round with some late tee problems. Through 36 holes, he’s in the top 10 for tee shots to the green but outside the top 120.
Odds update, Texas Open 2023 picks
Odds via Caesars Sportsbook
- Patrick Rodgers: 5/12
- Corey Conners: 4-1
- Brendon Todd: 2/17
- Matt Kuchar: 19/2
- Thomas Detry: 16-1
- Chris Kirk: 22-1
- Roberto Diaz: 25-1
- Michael Thompson: 25-1
- Eric Cole: 28-1
The hypothetical lead could be eight points below as Rodgers has struggled to get there before. With this in mind, Taylor (35-1) with a 4 under and still needing to play par-5, 18 could be the hand. The Canadian came to TPC San Antonio in fifth place in total strokes since the start of the calendar year, which included a fantastic match against world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler at the WM Phoenix Open. As a proven winner on the PGA Tour, Taylor has a realistic chance of winning a third place and final ticket to next week’s Masters.
