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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 18, 2017

Field Notes For April 18, 2017

Coming to San Antonio Hot: Several players in the field had a good week at the RBC Heritage Classic last week. Luke Donald finished second, Ollie Schniederjans was tied for third, Brian Gay and J.J. Spaun were tied for 6th and Bud Cauley was tied for 9th.

More from Sunday’s finish: Matt Kuchar, who finished tied for 11th on Sunday, is poised to make his 13th start at the Valero Texas Open, and sixth straight. Kuchar’s best finish at TPC San Antonio is a T4 in 2014, though he finished T2 at La Cantera in 2001.

Texas Collegiate Connections: There are 14 players in the field with collegiate connections in the state of Texas. Baylor University – Jimmy Walker; Lamar University – Chris Stroud, Shawn Stefani; Southern Methodist University – Kelly Kraft, Bryson DeChambeau; TCU – J.J. Henry, Tom Hoge; Texas A&M – Ryan Palmer; University of Texas – Bob Estes, Cody Gribble, Beau Hossler, Rick Lamb, Justin Leonard, Jhonattan Vegas.

FedExCup History at the VTO: Each year, the Valero Texas Open proves pivotal in the race for the FedExCup. Since being moved to its current spot on the schedule in 2009, the winner of the Valero Texas Open has made it through at least two Playoffs events six of eight times. Jimmy Walker (2015), Adam Scott (2010) and Zach Johnson (2009) made it through the season-ending TOUR Championship.

FedExCup Champion: Former FedExCup champion Billy Horschel (2014) is in the field.

Strong Sponsor Exemptions: Three-time VTO champion Justin Leonard leads a strong group of players receiving a sponsor exemption into the field this week. Two-time major champion Angel Cabrera, 2016 U.S. Amateur champion Curtis Luck, 2015 U.S. Amateur Public Links champion Jordan Niebrugge, 4-time TOUR winner Camilo Villegas and former top-ranked junior golfer in the U.S. Robby Shelton.

Monday Qualifiers: The Monday Qualifier for the final four spots into the tournament was held at The Club at Comanche Trace. Wesley McClain, Bastrop, TX, was the medalist with a 9-under-par 63 followed by Ted Purdy (Phoenix, AZ 64), Joshua Brock (Wilmington, NC 65) and Zach Cabra (McKinney, TX 67).

International Flavor: There are 21 different countries and 49 international players in the field this week. Countries that are represented are: Argentina, Australia, Canada, Chinese Tai, Colombia, Denmark, England, Germany, India, Ireland, Japan, Korea, New Zealand, Northern Ireland, Puerto Rico, Scotland, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, USA, and Venezuela.

ABOUT VALERO

Valero Energy Corporation, through its subsidiaries (collectively, Valero), is a multinational manufacturer and marketer of petroleum-based and low-carbon liquid transportation fuels and petrochemical products, and sells its products primarily in the United States (U.S.), Canada, the United Kingdom (U.K.), Ireland and Latin America. Valero owns 15 petroleum refineries located in the U.S., Canada and the U.K. with a combined throughput capacity of approximately 3.2 million barrels per day. Valero is a joint venture member in Diamond Green Diesel Holdings LLC, which owns two renewable diesel plants located in the U.S. Gulf Coast region with a combined production capacity of approximately 1.2 billion gallons per year, and Valero owns 12 ethanol plants located in the U.S. Mid-Continent region with a combined production capacity of approximately 1.6 billion gallons per year. Valero manages its operations through its Refining, Renewable Diesel, and Ethanol segments. Please visit investorvalero.com for more information.

ABOUT VALERO IN THE COMMUNITY

Valero Energy Corporation, through its subsidiaries (collectively, Valero), and the Valero Energy Foundation are committed to improving the quality of life in communities where Valero has major operations. In 2023, Valero, its employees and the foundation collectively generated more than $77 million in charitable support through direct/in-kind donations, fundraising and volunteerism. Valero employees logged more than 127,000 volunteer hours in 2023 for hundreds of projects in their communities. Valero provides funding to a variety of nonprofit agencies for programs and services supporting education, basic needs, health care and civic initiatives.  Through the overwhelming support of sponsors, the foundation’s signature programs, the Valero Texas Open and Benefit for Children, generated more than $23 million raised in 2023 for charities across the United States.

ABOUT THE VALERO TEXAS OPEN

The Valero Texas Open is the sixth-oldest professional tournament in golf worldwide, the third-oldest on the PGA TOUR and the longest held in the same city. In 2022, the tournament celebrated its 100th anniversary.

Its list of champions includes some of the greatest names in golf history: Walter Hagen, Byron Nelson, Ben Hogan, Sam Snead, Arnold Palmer, Ben Crenshaw, Hale Irwin, Lee Trevino, Nick Price, Justin Leonard, Zach Johnson, Adam Scott, Jimmy Walker, Jordan Spieth and 2019, 2023 champion Corey Conners to name a few.

Since Valero became title sponsor in 2002, the tournament has become a leader in charitable fundraising among PGA TOUR events. The Valero Texas Open, together with its Benefit for Children and Champions fore Charity initiatives, has contributed more than $232 million to hundreds of worthy charities since inception. Please visit www.ValeroTexasOpen.com for more information.

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Luke Donald

Media Contacts

Stephanie Sage
Valero Texas Open
Director, Marketing & Community Relations

210.345.3839 office

Lee Patterson
Valero Texas Open
Director, Media Relations

704.913.1088 mobile