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SPORTS Monday 8 april 2019

Conners wins Valero days after qualifying, will play Masters

SAN ANTONIO (AP) — His for fourth with Brian Stuard
first PGA Tour victory in the (15-under) after an even-
bag and his ticket punched par 72.
for next week's Masters, Co- Conners, the 2014 U.S. Am-
rey Conners' primary con- ateur runner-up, will play in
cern was a big change to his second Masters. Two of
his work weeks going for- the top three finishers last
ward. year at Augusta missed
"No more Monday qualify- the top 10 this week. Rick-
ing," Conners said. "That's ie Fowler was tied for 17th
the best deal from this. while 10 strokes back at
Amazing. It's a dream 10-under with a final-round
come true. I won't be as 69, and Jordan Spieth (72)
stressful on Mondays." was 7-under.
Conners won the Valero "I definitely feel like I got
Texas Open on Sunday less good work done head-
than a week after qualify- ing into next week," Fowler
ing, earning him the final said. "I'm feeling good."
available slot in the Mas- Stuard finished with 66
ters. Conners only entered to get to 15-under. Kevin
the tournament field Mon- Streelman closed with an
day, and he's the first golfer 8-under 64 and was 14-un-
to win on the PGA Tour af- der. He missed tying the
ter qualifying on a Monday course record when, after
in nine years. four-straight birdies, he hit
He made three birdies in his approach from the 18th
the final five holes, shooting fairway into the gallery and
a 6-under 66. He was 20-un- bogeyed.
der for the tournament, It was a wild round for Con-
winning by two shots over ners, a Canadian who had
Charley Hoffman. not won on any of the PGA Corey Conners poses with the trophy after winning the Valero Texas Open golf tournament Sun-
Next stop for Conners: Au- Tour's affiliated circuits — day, April 7, 2019, in San Antonio.
gusta, Georgia. he had finishes of second Associated Press
"My wife got an email this and third earlier this season.
morning letting her know He had 10 birdies and four that was his fourth birdie in he benefited from a three- fairway or close to it.
we could check in for our pars that sandwiched four five holes. stroke swing on the lead- The other bogey, on a par-
flight back home," Conners consecutive bogeys on the Moore missed a birdie op- erboard on the third hole 3 at No. 7, he hit his tee shot
said. "I told her, 'Aw, don't front nine. portunity on the next hole with a 10-foot putt on the into a bunker, then blasted
check in yet. Maybe we "After the middle of the when he couldn't convert par-3. Kim hit into the wa- over the green.
can make other plans.' Big front nine, I thought, 'All on a putt from inside 10 ter fronting the green and "I told myself I could do it,"
change of plans. It was go- right, this is going to be my feet. Minutes later, Conners double-bogeyed. Later in Conners said. "I had been
ing to be an off week. I'm tournament to win,'" Hoff- sank a 10-footer to save the day, Kim was grabbing hitting a lot of quality shots.
glad it won't be." man said. "He showed up par at No. 15, then hit to at his right upper body with I was really relaxed. I had
Hoffman, the 2016 Texas and balled up. My hat's off four feet to set up a birdie an apparent injury. a lot of confidence in my
Open winner, shot 67 for to him." at the 175-yard par-3 16th. Conners was two strokes game."
18-under on the week. Conners had a one-stroke His birdie at No. 17 gave ahead, and with birdies on He made the turn and
Ryan Moore closed with an lead when he rammed in him a three-shot lead walk- the next two holes he led clicked off three consecu-
8-under 64, a shot off the a 34-foot birdie putt at No. ing up the final hole. by four over both Kim and tive birdies. The last player
course record, and was 12, and stayed a stroke up Conners looked like he Hoffman. to qualify on Monday and
third at 17-under. with a tap-in birdie at the would tuck this one away But Conners bogeyed the win a PGA Tour event was
Si Woo Kim, The Players 14th. early. He birdied four of the next four, and three of Arjun Atwal in 2010 at the
Championship winner in Moore joined Conners at first five holes at TPC San those came after tee shots Wyndham Championship.
2017, led the opening three the top of the leaderboard Antonio. Trailing by a shot put him in nice position ei- That was the first time it had
rounds but dropped to a tie with an 8-foot putt at No. 16 going in the final round, ther from the middle of the been done in 24 years.q