Valero Texas Open
American golf tournament
The Texas Open, known as the Valero Texas Open for sponsorship reasons, is a professional golf tournament on the PGA Tour, played just north of San Antonio, Texas. It dates back 104 years to 1922, when it was first called the Texas Open; San Antonio-based Valero Energy Corporation took over naming rights in 2002. It is played at The Oaks Course at the TPC San Antonio. The Valero Energy Foundation is the host organization for the Valero Texas Open.
01History
The event is managed by Wasserman Media Group as of 2017. In 2003, it was the site of the 72-hole PGA Tour scoring record of 254, shot by Tommy Armour III. Many big-name players have won this tournament, including Sam Snead, Ben Hogan, and Arnold Palmer, who won it three years in a row. It has always been considered a tournament where it is relatively easy to shoot low scores. Since 1934, every tournament winner has finished with a score under-par.
It has always been played in the San Antonio area, and is the sixth oldest professional golf tournament worldwide, the third oldest on the PGA Tour and the longest held in the same city. The tournament has been hosted on eight different golf courses. From its inception until 1940, it was held at Brackenridge Park Golf Course, with the exception of 1927-1928, when it was played at Willow Springs Golf Course. After the event left Brackenridge Park, it returned to Willow Springs (1941-1949). In 1950 and 1951, it was played at both Brackenridge Park and Ft. Sam Houston Golf Course; afterwards it stayed at Brackenridge Park, with the exception of 1956 and 1960, when it returned to Ft. Sam Houston.
Oak Hills Country Club hosted from 1961 to 1966, then it went to Pecan Valley Golf Club (1967-1970). There was no event in 1968, as Pecan Valley was the site of the PGA Championship in July. No event was held in 1971; it was played at Woodlake Golf Club for five editions (1972-1976), then returned to Oak Hills (1977-1994). (No event was held in 1987, as Oak Hills hosted the first Tour Championship in late October.)
It was held at the Resort Course at La Cantera Golf Club (1995-2009), then moved to its present site on The Oaks Course at TPC San Antonio, in the affluent Cibolo Canyon community, in 2010.
The Texas Open was usually held in September or October; in 2007 and 2008, the event was demoted to the Fall Series. With the demise of the Atlanta Classic, the PGA Tour moved the Texas Open into that slot on the schedule in May 2009 and it became a regular FedEx Cup event. The 2009 event offered an increased purse of $6.1 million (up from $4.5 million) and its winner's share exceeded $1 million for the first time. In 2011, the event moved to the week following the Masters Tournament; that 2011 edition is best known for Kevin Na's 16 (+12) on the ninth hole in the opening round.
As a Fall Series event, the Valero Texas Open was the alternate tournament to the Presidents and Ryder Cups. In 2013, the tournament was in early April, the week before The Masters, and aired on NBC for the first time; several European Tour players participated in the Texas Open for the first time since the mid-1980s.
Since Valero became title sponsor in 2002, the tournament has become the annual leader in charitable fundraising among PGA Tour events. In 2015, the Valero Texas Open became only the fourth PGA Tour event to eclipse the $100 million milestone in funds raised for charity. The 2021 Valero Texas Open raised a record breaking $16 million for charity, bringing the grand total to over $187 million in charitable giving.
In 2019, the Valero Texas Open returned to being played before The Masters, thereby shifting the weekend coverage from CBS to NBC.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2020 Valero Texas Open was cancelled just three weeks before taking place but returned in 2021, the week before The Masters.
02Course layout
03Highlights
- 1951: Al Brosch became the first player to record a round of 60 in a PGA Tour event.
- 1955: Mike Souchak's 257 (-27) set records for a 72-hole PGA Tour event: the under-par record stood until John Huston's 28-under par 260 at the 1998 Hawaiian Open, and the scoring record lasted until 2001, when Mark Calcavecchia shot 256 (-28) at the Phoenix Open.
- 2004: Oft-injured Bart Bryant, recovering from elbow surgery and playing on a Major Medical Extension, earned his first PGA Tour win in his 187th start.
- 2005: Robert Gamez won his first event since March 1990, giving him the record for longest time between PGA Tour wins.
- 2017: After 180 PGA Tour starts and six runner-up finishes, Kevin Chappell birdied the 72nd hole for his first PGA Tour win.
- 2019: Corey Conners, playing on conditional status, Monday qualified for the tournament and earned his first PGA Tour win the week before the Masters. He was the first player to win on the PGA Tour after qualifying on a Monday in nine years.
04Winners
| Year | Winner | Score | To par | Margin of victory | Runner(s)-up | Purse ($) | Winner's share ($) | Ref. | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Valero Texas Open | |||||||||
| 2026 | J. J. Spaun (2) | 271 | −17 | 1 stroke | Michael Kim Robert MacIntyre Matt Wallace | 9,800,000 | 1,764,000 | ||
| 2025 | Brian Harman | 279 | −9 | 3 strokes | Ryan Gerard | 9,500,000 | 1,710,000 | ||
| 2024 | Akshay Bhatia | 268 | −20 | Playoff | Denny McCarthy | 9,200,000 | 1,656,000 | ||
| 2023 | Corey Conners (2) | 273 | −15 | 1 stroke | Sam Stevens | 8,900,000 | 1,602,000 | ||
| 2022 | J. J. Spaun | 275 | −13 | 2 strokes | Matt Jones Matt Kuchar | 8,600,000 | 1,548,000 | ||
| 2021 | Jordan Spieth | 270 | −18 | 2 strokes | Charley Hoffman | 7,700,000 | 1,386,000 | ||
| 2020 | Canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic | ||||||||
| 2019 | Corey Conners | 268 | −20 | 2 strokes | Charley Hoffman | 7,500,000 | 1,350,000 | ||
| 2018 | Andrew Landry | 271 | −17 | 2 strokes | Trey Mullinax Sean O'Hair | 6,200,000 | 1,116,000 | ||
| 2017 | Kevin Chappell | 276 | −12 | 1 stroke | Brooks Koepka | 6,200,000 | 1,116,000 | ||
| 2016 | Charley Hoffman | 276 | −12 | 1 stroke | Patrick Reed | 6,200,000 | 1,116,000 | ||
| 2015 | Jimmy Walker | 277 | −11 | 4 strokes | Jordan Spieth | 6,200,000 | 1,116,000 | ||
| 2014 | Steven Bowditch | 280 | −8 | 1 stroke | Will MacKenzie Daniel Summerhays | 6,200,000 | 1,116,000 | ||
| 2013 | Martin Laird | 274 | −14 | 2 strokes | Rory McIlroy | 6,200,000 | 1,116,000 | ||
| 2012 | Ben Curtis | 279 | −9 | 2 strokes | Matt Every John Huh | 6,200,000 | 1,116,000 | ||
| 2011 | Brendan Steele | 280 | −8 | 1 stroke | Kevin Chappell Charley Hoffman | 6,200,000 | 1,116,000 | ||
| 2010 | Adam Scott | 274 | −14 | 1 stroke | Freddie Jacobson | 6,100,000 | 1,098,000 | ||
| 2009 | Zach Johnson (2) | 265 | −15 | Playoff | James Driscoll | 6,100,000 | 1,098,000 | ||
| 2008 | Zach Johnson | 261 | −19 | 2 strokes | Charlie Wi Tim Wilkinson Mark Wilson | 4,500,000 | 810,000 | ||
| 2007 | Justin Leonard (3) | 261 | −19 | Playoff | Jesper Parnevik | 4,500,000 | 810,000 | ||
| 2006 | Eric Axley | 265 | −15 | 3 strokes | Anthony Kim Justin Rose Dean Wilson | 4,000,000 | 720,000 | ||
| 2005 | Robert Gamez | 262 | −18 | 3 strokes | Olin Browne | 3,500,000 | 630,000 | ||
| 2004 | Bart Bryant | 261 | −19 | 3 strokes | Patrick Sheehan | 3,500,000 | 630,000 | ||
| 2003 | Tommy Armour III | 254 | −26 | 7 strokes | Loren Roberts Bob Tway | 3,500,000 | 630,000 | ||
| 2002 | Loren Roberts | 261 | −19 | 3 strokes | Fred Couples Fred Funk Garrett Willis | 3,500,000 | 630,000 | ||
| Texas Open | |||||||||
| 2001 | Justin Leonard (2) | 266 | −18 | 2 strokes | J. J. Henry Matt Kuchar | 3,000,000 | 540,000 | ||
| Westin Texas Open | |||||||||
| 2000 | Justin Leonard | 261 | −19 | 5 strokes | Mark Wiebe | 2,600,000 | 468,000 | ||
| 1999 | Duffy Waldorf (2) | 270 | −18 | Playoff | Ted Tryba | 2,000,000 | 360,000 | ||
| 1998 | Hal Sutton | 270 | −18 | 1 stroke | Jay Haas Justin Leonard | 1,700,000 | 306,000 | ||
| LaCantera Texas Open | |||||||||
| 1997 | Tim Herron | 271 | −17 | 2 strokes | Rick Fehr Brent Geiberger | 1,400,000 | 252,000 | ||
| 1996 | David Ogrin | 275 | −13 | 1 stroke | Jay Haas | 1,200,000 | 216,000 | ||
| 1995 | Duffy Waldorf | 268 | −20 | 6 strokes | Justin Leonard | 1,100,000 | 198,000 | ||
| Texas Open | |||||||||
| 1994 | Bob Estes | 265 | −19 | 1 stroke | Gil Morgan | 1,000,000 | 180,000 | ||
| H.E.B. Texas Open | |||||||||
| 1993 | Jay Haas (2) | 263 | −21 | Playoff | Bob Lohr | 1,000,000 | 180,000 | ||
| 1992 | Nick Price | 263 | −21 | Playoff | Steve Elkington | 900,000 | 162,000 | ||
| 1991 | Blaine McCallister | 269 | −11 | Playoff | Gary Hallberg | 900,000 | 162,000 | ||
| 1990 | Mark O'Meara | 261 | −19 | 1 stroke | Gary Hallberg | 800,000 | 144,000 | ||
| Texas Open | |||||||||
| 1989 | Donnie Hammond | 258 | −22 | 7 strokes | Paul Azinger | 600,000 | 108,000 | ||
| 1988 | Corey Pavin | 259 | −21 | 8 strokes | Robert Wrenn | 600,000 | 108,000 | ||
| 1987: No tournament | |||||||||
| Vantage Championship | |||||||||
| 1986 | Ben Crenshaw (2) | 196 | −14 | 1 stroke | Payne Stewart | 1,000,000 | 180,000 | ||
| Texas Open | |||||||||
| 1985 | John Mahaffey | 268 | −12 | Playoff | Jodie Mudd | 350,000 | 63,000 | ||
| 1984 | Calvin Peete | 266 | −14 | 3 strokes | Bruce Lietzke | 350,000 | 63,000 | ||
| 1983 | Jim Colbert | 261 | −19 | 5 strokes | Mark Pfeil | 300,000 | 54,000 | ||
| 1982 | Jay Haas | 262 | −18 | 3 strokes | Curtis Strange | 250,000 | 45,000 | ||
| 1981 | Bill Rogers | 266 | −14 | Playoff | Ben Crenshaw | 250,000 | 45,000 | ||
| San Antonio Texas Open | |||||||||
| 1980 | Lee Trevino | 265 | −15 | 1 stroke | Terry Diehl | 250,000 | 45,000 | ||
| 1979 | Lou Graham | 268 | −12 | 1 stroke | Eddie Pearce Bill Rogers Doug Tewell | 250,000 | 45,000 | ||
| 1978 | Ron Streck | 265 | −15 | 1 stroke | Hubert Green Lon Hinkle | 200,000 | 40,000 | ||
| 1977 | Hale Irwin | 266 | −14 | 2 strokes | Miller Barber | 150,000 | 30,000 | ||
| 1976 | Butch Baird | 273 | −15 | Playoff | Miller Barber | 125,000 | 25,000 | ||
| 1975 | Don January | 275 | −13 | Playoff | Larry Hinson | 125,000 | 25,000 | ||
| 1974 | Terry Diehl | 269 | −19 | 1 stroke | Mike Hill | 125,000 | 25,000 | ||
| 1973 | Ben Crenshaw | 270 | −14 | 2 strokes | Orville Moody | 125,000 | 25,000 | ||
| 1972 | Mike Hill | 273 | −15 | 2 strokes | Lee Trevino | 125,000 | 25,000 | ||
| 1971: No tournament | |||||||||
| San Antonio Open Invitational | |||||||||
| 1970 | Ron Cerrudo | 273 | −7 | 5 strokes | Dick Lotz | 100,000 | 20,000 | ||
| Texas Open Invitational | |||||||||
| 1969 | Deane Beman | 274 | −10 | Playoff | Jack McGowan | 100,000 | 20,000 | ||
| 1968: No tournament | |||||||||
| 1967 | Chi-Chi Rodríguez | 277 | −7 | 1 stroke | Bob Charles Bob Goalby | 100,000 | 20,000 | ||
| 1966 | Harold Henning | 272 | −8 | 3 strokes | Wes Ellis Gene Littler Ken Still | 80,000 | 13,000 | ||
| 1965 | Frank Beard | 270 | −10 | 3 strokes | Gardner Dickinson | 50,000 | 7,500 | ||
| 1964 | Bruce Crampton | 273 | −7 | 1 stroke | Bob Charles Chi-Chi Rodríguez | 40,000 | 5,800 | ||
| 1963 | Phil Rodgers | 268 | −16 | 2 strokes | Johnny Pott | 30,000 | 4,300 | ||
| 1962 | Arnold Palmer (3) | 273 | −11 | 1 stroke | Joe Campbell Gene Littler Mason Rudolph Doug Sanders | 30,000 | 4,300 | ||
| 1961 | Arnold Palmer (2) | 270 | −14 | 1 stroke | Al Balding | 30,000 | 4,300 | ||
| 1960 | Arnold Palmer | 276 | −12 | 2 strokes | Doug Ford Frank Stranahan | 20,000 | 2,800 | ||
| 1959 | Wes Ellis | 276 | −8 | 2 strokes | Bill Johnston Tom Nieporte | 20,000 | 2,800 | ||
| 1958 | Bill Johnston | 274 | −10 | 3 strokes | Bob Rosburg | 15,000 | 2,000 | ||
| 1957 | Jay Hebert | 271 | −13 | 1 stroke | Ed Furgol | 20,000 | 2,800 | ||
| 1956 | Gene Littler | 276 | −12 | 2 strokes | Mike Fetchick Frank Stranahan Ernie Vossler | 20,000 | 3,750 | ||
| Texas Open | |||||||||
| 1955 | Mike Souchak | 257 | −27 | 7 strokes | Fred Haas | 12,500 | 2,200 | ||
| 1954 | Chandler Harper | 259 | −25 | 2 strokes | Johnny Palmer | 12,500 | 2,200 | ||
| 1953 | Tony Holguin | 264 | −20 | 1 stroke | Doug Ford | 10,000 | 2,000 | ||
| 1952 | Jack Burke Jr. | 260 | −24 | 6 strokes | Doug Ford | 10,000 | 2,000 | ||
| 1951 | Dutch Harrison (2) | 265 | −19 | Playoff | Doug Ford | 10,000 | 2,000 | ||
| 1950 | Sam Snead (2) | 265 | −19 | 1 stroke | Jimmy Demaret | 10,000 | 2,000 | ||
| 1949 | Dave Douglas | 268 | −16 | 1 stroke | Sam Snead | 10,000 | 2,000 | ||
| 1948 | Sam Snead | 264 | −20 | 2 strokes | Jimmy Demaret | 10,000 | 2,000 | ||
| San Antonio Texas Open | |||||||||
| 1947 | Ed Oliver | 265 | −19 | 1 stroke | Jimmy Demaret | 10,000 | 2,000 | ||
| 1946 | Ben Hogan | 264 | −20 | 6 strokes | Sammy Byrd | 7,500 | 1,500 | ||
| Texas Open | |||||||||
| 1945 | Sammy Byrd | 268 | −16 | 1 stroke | Byron Nelson | 5,000 | 1,000 | ||
| 1944 | Johnny Revolta | 273 | −11 | 1 stroke | Jug McSpaden Byron Nelson | 5,000 | 1,000 | ||
| 1943: No tournament due to World War II | |||||||||
| 1942 | Chick Harbert | 272 | −12 | Playoff | Ben Hogan | 5,000 | 1,000 | ||
| 1941 | Lawson Little | 273 | −11 | 3 strokes | Ben Hogan | 5,000 | 1,200 | ||
| 1940 | Byron Nelson | 271 | −13 | Playoff | Ben Hogan | 5,000 | 1,500 | ||
| 1939 | Dutch Harrison | 271 | −13 | 2 strokes | Sammy Byrd | 5,000 | 1,250 | ||
| 1935-1938: No tournament | |||||||||
| 1934 | Wiffy Cox | 283 | −5 | 1 stroke | Byron Nelson Craig Wood | 2,500 | 750 | ||
| 1933: No tournament | |||||||||
| 1932 | Clarence Clark | 287 | +3 | 1 stroke | Gus Moreland Gene Sarazen | 2,500 | 600 | ||
| 1931 | Abe Espinosa | 281 | −3 | 2 strokes | Harry Cooper Joe Turnesa Frank Walsh | 6,000 | 1,500 | ||
| 1930 | Denny Shute | 277 | −7 | 3 strokes | Ed Dudley Al Espinosa Neil McIntyre | 7,500 | 1,500 | ||
| 1929 | Bill Mehlhorn (2) | 277 | −7 | 4 strokes | Horton Smith | 6,500 | 1,500 | ||
| 1928 | Bill Mehlhorn | 297 | +13 | 1 stroke | Harry Cooper | 6,500 | 1,500 | ||
| 1927 | Bobby Cruickshank | 292 | +8 | 3 strokes | Larry Nabholtz | 10,000 | 1,500 | ||
| 1926 | Macdonald Smith | 288 | +4 | 1 stroke | Bobby Cruickshank | 8,000 | 1,500 | ||
| 1925 | Joe Turnesa | 284 | E | 1 stroke | Macdonald Smith | 6,000 | 1,500 | ||
| 1924 | Joe Kirkwood Sr. | 279 | 7 strokes | George Kerrigan James Ockenden | 6,000 | 1,500 | |||
| 1923 | Walter Hagen | 279 | Playoff | Bill Mehlhorn | 6,000 | 1,500 | |||
| 1922 | Bob MacDonald | 281 | 1 stroke | Cyril Walker | 5,000 | 1,500 | |||
Note: Green highlight indicates scoring records.
Sources:
Sources and credits
This article is adapted from the Wikipedia article “Valero Texas Open”, written by its contributors and licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Fathomly has changed the layout, removed citation markers, navigation and maintenance notices, and adjusted punctuation. This adapted version is shared under the same license. For references, see the original article.
Images, from Wikimedia Commons:
- Valero Texas Open logo.png by unknown, Fair use
Fathomly is not affiliated with or endorsed by the Wikimedia Foundation. Spotted a problem? Tell us.