The PGA Tour stays in the Lonestar State for the 93rd edition of the Valero Texas Open – the final tune-up before the season’s first major at Augusta National.
The 2024 Valero Texas Open will once again be contested at TPC San Antonio, a Greg Norman-designed par-72, measuring 7,435 yards.
The field in south Texas, at the lead-in event to the Masters, is surprisingly decent, and features several high-profile superstars including Rory McIlory, Hideki Matsuyama, Jordan Spieth, Collin Morikawa, Matt Fitzpatrick, Max Homa, and Rickie Fowler, among others.
Two-time Texas Open winner Corey Conners will defend.
Here are more details about this week’s PGA Tour stop in south Texas.
Valero Texas Open
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The Skinny
Valero Texas Open
PGA Tour Debut: 1922
Dates:Â Apr 4-7, 2024
Event Week: 14th (of 34)
Where:San Antonio, Texas
Course:Â TPC San Antonio (Oaks)
Distance: Par 72, 7,435 yards
Architect: Greg Norman
Format: Stroke play, 72-holes
Field: 144 players, 36-Hole Cut
Purse: $9,200,000
Winning Share: $1,656,000
FedExCup/OWGR Pts: 500
Defending Champion: Corey Conners
How to Follow
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Valero Texas Open History
Casual fans may not realize it, but the Valero Texas Open has one of the most extensive histories on the PGA Tour. As the third oldest tournament on the Tour’s schedule, the sixth oldest worldwide, and the oldest tournament where every edition has been played in the same city, the Valero Texas Open has a rich tradition of hosting elite-level golf.
This week’s event will be the 93rd time touring pros have teed it up in San Antonio since 1922. For much of its history, the tournament had a reputation for surrendering exceptionally low scores, evidenced most by Mike Souchak’s winning total of 27-under par in 1955, and Tommy Armour III’s record-setting 254 (64-63-62-65) in 2003 – a Tour record that stood until Justin Thomas broke it in 2017 in Hawaii.
However, as the tournament has started to award larger purses, it was moved to TPC San Antonio, which early on proved to be a much tougher test. How tough? Ask Kevin Na, who shot a 12-over 16 on ONE HOLE in the 2011 edition. That may be an extreme outlier, but in 2012, one of the runner-ups had a round of 77 on their card. In fact, from 2011-2014, three of the four winners finished in single digits-under par.
The setup in San Antonio has generally become less penal over the past several years, culminating with 2019 winner, Corey Conners, finishing with the first 20 under (or better) since Armour’s aforementioned record setter nearly 20 years ago.
Over the years, the tournament has been contested at eight different venues with a who’s who of legendary names among its winners, including Walter Hagen, Byron Nelson, Ben Hogan, Sam Snead, Arnold Palmer, Chi-Chi Rodriguez, Hale Irwin, Ben Crenshaw, Lee Trevino, and Jordan Spieth.
Palmer and Justin Leonard have the most Texas Open victories, with three a piece. Seven other golfers have won twice, including Zach Johnson (2008-2009) and defending champion Conner (2019, 2023) – the only active players among the group.
History: Tournament Names
- Valero Texas Open (2002-24)
- Texas Open at La Cantera (2001)
- Westin Texas Open at La Cantera (2000)
- Westin Texas Open (1998-99)
- La Cantera Texas Open (1995-97)
- Texas Open (1994)
- H.E.B. Texas Open (1990-93)
- Texas Open (1988-89)
- Vantage Championship (1996)
- San Antonio Texas Open (1972-80)
- San Antonio Open Invitational (1970-71)
- Texas Open Invitational (1956-69)
- Texas Open (1922-55)
History: Recent Winners
2022: Corey Conners (-15)
2022: J.J. Spaun (-13)
2021: Jordan Spieth (-18)
2020: Canceled (COVID)
2019: Corey Conners (-20)
2018: Andrew Landry (-17)
2017: Kevin Chappell (-12)
2016: Charley Hoffman (-12)
2015: Jimmy Walker (-11)
2014: Steven Bowditch (-8)
2013: Martin Laird (-14)
2012: Ben Curtis (-9)
2011: Brendan Steele (-8)
History: Records
Scoring:
Low Score: 254 Tommy Armour III (2003)
Under-Par: -27 Mike Souchak (1955)
Margin of Victory: 8 strokes Corey Pavin (1988)
Wins:
3 – Arnold Palmer (1960-62)
3 – Justin Leonard (2000-01, 2007)
Valero Texas Open Field
The field in San Antonio will be headlined by a pair of PGA Tour superstars in Rory McIlroy and Jordan Spieth who will be looking to scrape off some rust ahead of the Masters.
McIlroy will be seeking his first top-10 finish of the 2024 season. In five starts this year, the Northern Irishman owns just a single top-20 result (T19 at the Players). Meanwhile, Spieth, a winner here in 2021, enters off four consecutive poor results (MC, MC, T30, DQ).
Making his debut at TPC San Antonio is Tour rookie Ludvig Aberg. Unlike Spieth and McIlroy, the young Swede enters Texas in strong form, with three top-10s in his five most recent starts.
Hideki Matsuyama, the 2021 Masters champion, is another marquee name in the field this week who arrives in solid form. The Japanese star comes in off four impressive starts, highlighted by a win at Riviera and a T6 at the Players Championship.
Finally, Corey Conners will defend his title in decent form as well: two consecutive top-20 finishes in high-profile events (T13 Players, T18 Arnold Palmer).
Other names to watch include Collin Morikawa, Matt Fitzpatrick, Max Homa, and Rickie Fowler.
Top-5 Betting Favorites
1. Rory McIlroy (10-1)
2. Ludvig Aberg (11-1)
3. Jordan Spieth (20-1)
4. Hideki Matsuyama (20-1)
5. Corey Conners (22-1)
Full Field & Odds
Up Next On Tour
The first major of the season is up next, as all eyes will focus on Augusta National for the 2024 edition of the Masters Tournament.
Carey Hoffman and Paul Daly contributed to this preview.
