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As the Valero Texas Open heads into a new century this spring, tournament officials announced today some past champion commitments for the 144-man field scheduled to compete in the historical PGA TOUR stop on TPC San Antonio’s The Oaks course March 27 - April 2, a week preceding The Masters tournament.
2022 champion J.J. Spaun, currently ranked 25th in the FedExCup standings on the strength of two top-12 starts the past few weeks, will defend his title. The San Diego State grad and current World No. 61, will attempt to become the first Valero Texas Open champion to win back-to-back since this year’s U.S. Ryder Cup captain Zach Johnson accomplished the feat in 2008 and 2009.
“Yeah, it's still unbelievable,” Spaun said after earning his first PGA TOUR victory here last year, “I knew I could win out here on Tour. When I first got out here, I was playing really good and then obviously had a setback two years ago. It's just perseverance, just trying to push through and just stay strong.”
Joining Spaun on the past champions list are Corey Conners (2019), Andrew Landry (2018), Jimmy Walker (2015), Martin Laird (2013) and Brendan Steele (2011).
Conners is currently ranked 32nd in the world and was a member of the International Team in last fall’s Presidents Cup matches. Landry is a two-time winner on the PGA TOUR, with his most recent victory coming in the 2020 season. Walker, a San Antonio native, is a six-time winner on TOUR including the 2016 PGA Championship. Laird shot the final round course record of 63 to secure his victory in 2013. Steele has won two times since his first career TOUR win here in San Antonio.
PGA TOUR players have until Friday, March 24 at 4:00 p.m. Central Time to commit and can withdraw at any time.
Tickets to the Valero Texas Open are now on sale via Ticketmaster and ValeroTexasOpen.com. As is customary, all net proceeds from the tournament will go to support hundreds of charity organizations throughout South Texas and well beyond.