Texas Open 2023 standings, results: Patrick Rodgers in command, Rickie Fowler sees final Masters invite

After a fast start and finish, Patrick Rodgers followed up his 66th round in the first round with a 67th in the second at the 2023 Texas Open before Friday’s play was suspended due to darkness. Rodgers made two birdies in his first three holes and dropped to neutral when he was level for the day by the 12th. With numerous players making runs at the front, Rodgers was the one to win the sprint as five birdies in his final six holes put him 11 under for the tournament and three shots ahead of his closest competitor Corey Conners.

Rodgers has positioned himself beautifully to do something he hasn’t done in his previous 234 on the PGA Tour: win. The former Stanford standout, a three-time career runner-up, will have to contend with nervousness, Masters ambitions and the Texas winds if he wants to enter the winners’ circle for the first time.

2019 Texas Open winner Conners will aim to overturn Rodgers over the final 36 holes to earn his second career win and go into Augusta National with confidence. Already in the field for the Masters this week, Conners is playing house money and could carry his success at San Antonio in Augusta, Georgia, to more of them.

the leader

1. Patrick Rodgers (-11): It was a clinical first 36 holes for Rodgers as he signed for rounds of 66-67 without much stress. He leads the field in shots won from tee to green and shots won on approach, but that’s worlds away from what he did in 2023. He entered the week after missing six out of eight cuts and had not finished in the top 10 since the RSM Classic in the fall. It will be interesting to see if he has staying power in this leaderboard over the weekend or if this is just another flash in the pan.

“[Approach play] was a big focus for me. That’s kept me from playing better golf, and yes, I’m really proud that the work I put in week after week, even if it didn’t pay off on the golf course,” Rodgers said. “Now catch it and I’m happy with the patience I’ve shown to get here.”

Other contenders

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 some serious Honda Classic vibes. Between Kirk and Cole, who competed at PGA National last month, and former Honda Classic winners Thompson and Harrington, the parallels are obvious. But instead of looking back, let’s look to next week and Augusta National instead. Conners has been rather dull at the start of his 2023 as he doesn’t have a top 10 finish, but expect that to end either this week or next. The Canadian has achieved finishes of T10, T8 and T6 in his last three Masters and is trending towards a similar result in the first major championship of the year.

“It was a bit inconsistent,” Conners said. “I feel like every week I’ve been missing certain parts of my game, whether I’m not hitting it well or the short game is kinda letting me down. I haven’t really been able to put it all together. It’s a bit of a struggle but I’ve worked hard and I have confidence in my game. It’s only a matter of time before things settle down.”

Rickie Fowler’s weekly outlook

Fowler’s Masters ambitions were history going into the week but could be an afterthought at the weekend as he’s behind the lead at 1-under and 10-strokes. The five-time PGA Tour winner needs to add a sixth trophy to his mantle to earn a Masters invite for the first time in two years.

Fowler entered Week 10 with approach and putting strokes gained; He was also ahead of the likes of Jordan Spieth, Justin Thomas and Sam Burns in total strokes won per round. After struggling on his first lap, he bounced off the tee in lap 2 before some late problems. Through 36 holes, he sits within the top 10 in strokes won from tee to green but outside the top 120 in putting.

2023 Texas Open updated odds, tips

Odds via Caesars Sportsbook

• Patrick Rodgers: 12/5
• Corey Conners: 4-1
• Brendon Todd: 17/2
• 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 8-under as Rodgers previously struggled to close in that position. With that in mind, Taylor (35-1) at 4 under and still needing to play the par 5 18 could be the game. The Canadian reached TPC San Antonio fifth in strokes won since the start of the calendar year, including a fantastic bout against world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler at the Worlds Phoenix Open. As a proven winner on the PGA Tour, Taylor has a realistic chance of earning Victory #3 and the final Masters invite next week.