Patrick Rodgers birdied five of his last six holes in a five-under-par 67 on Friday to take a three-shot lead at the US PGA Tour Texas Open - where a victory will get him into the Masters.
Rodgers’ storming finish to the second round capped his long day at TPC San Antonio, where he played 23 holes after weather delays disrupted play on Thursday. He completed his first-round 66 on Friday morning to lie two shots behind Canadian Corey Conners.
After two quick birdies at the second and third in the second round, Rodgers rebounded from bogeys at the sixth and 10th with birdies at 13, 14, 16, 17 and 18. If he can keep it up over the weekend, a first tour title would come with a ticket to next weeks’ Masters, the first major championship of the year at Augusta National.
“It’s something I’ve always dreamt of,” Rodgers said. “It’s the reason why I’m out here.
“I love this job because I love to compete and I do my best to win a golf tournament every time I tee it up. I’m excited for the chance. This is, like I said, why I play. It’s going to be a really fun next couple of days.”
Rodgers’ 11-under total of 133 put him three strokes clear of Conners, the 2019 Texas Open champion who followed his first-round 64 with an even-par 72.American Michael Thompson was in third after a 68 for seven-under 137.
After fog delayed the start of Thursday’s first round for more than three hours, the second round was due to finish on Saturday morning. When darkness halted play, Rodgers’ closest pursuer on the course was Mexico’s Roberto Diaz, who was eight-under through 10 holes.
Rodgers, 30, has played in just five major championships in his career, which has seen him tee it up in 234 prior tournaments without a victory.
Patrick Rodgers
