In a twist of fate, it wasn’t Ben Kohles but Taylor Pendrith who emerged victorious at the Valero Texas Open. While Kohles, the thirty-four-year-old Texan, seemed poised for success, it was the thirty-two-year-old from Richmond Hill, Ontario, Canada, who clinched the coveted victory with a remarkable score of -23. Pendrith’s triumph was solidified on the 18th hole, where Kohles faltered, succumbing to mishaps including a third-shot flub off the green and a missed par putt. What initially seemed like Kohles’ day to claim turned into Pendrith’s glory, as he finished with a final birdie, turning the tables with a five-stroke swing.
Pendrith, results
Swedish golfer Alex Noren secured third place with a commendable score of -21, propelled by a strong finish of -6, though it fell short of playoff contention. Tied for fourth were Englishmen Matt Wallace and Aaron Rai, alongside South Koreans S.H. Kim and Byeong Hun An, all finishing at -20.
Jake Knapp of the USA settled for eighth place at -19, failing to meet expectations set by his promising start. Following closely behind at -19 were Troy Merritt, Kevin Tway, Puerto Rican Rafael Campos, and Japanese golfer Taiga Semikawa.
Looking ahead, the PGA Tour gears up for a double-header next week. The Wells Fargo Championship in Charlotte will attract top players eyeing the PGA Championship, while the Myrtle Beach Classic will feature a mix of European contenders, promising an exciting week of golf on both sides of the Atlantic.
Taylor Pendrith’s path to victory at the CJ Cup Byron Nelson in May 2024 was marked by perseverance and steady progression through the ranks of professional golf.
After turning professional in late 2014 following the Eisenhower Trophy, Pendrith began his career on the PGA Tour Canada circuit in 2015. Despite facing initial challenges, he showcased promise with three runner-up finishes and a third-place finish in the Order of Merit, earning him a spot on the Web.com Tour for the following season. Although his performance on the Web.com Tour in 2016 was mixed, Pendrith’s tied-for-fourth finish in the Club Colombia Championship demonstrated his potential.
From 2017 to 2019, Pendrith focused on the Canadian Tour, where he encountered struggles in the first two years. However, his breakthrough came in 2019 with strong showings at the Osprey Valley Open, 1932 by Bateman Open, and Mackenzie Investments Open, culminating in a second-place finish in the Order of Merit and a promotion to the Korn Ferry Tour.
Pendrith’s ascent continued on the Korn Ferry Tour in 2020, highlighted by consecutive runner-up finishes and an impressive performance at the Wichita Open. His consistent play earned him a spot at the 2020 U.S. Open, where he finished tied for 23rd place.
Following his success on the Korn Ferry Tour, Pendrith secured promotion to the PGA Tour for the 2020–21 season. In July 2022, he achieved his best PGA Tour finish to date with a tie for second at the Rocket Mortgage Classic.
Despite facing setbacks at the 2022 Presidents Cup, Pendrith remained resilient, ultimately clinching his first PGA Tour victory at the CJ Cup Byron Nelson in May 2024. This triumph marked a significant milestone in Pendrith’s career, highlighting his journey from aspiring professional to PGA Tour champion.
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