SAN ANTONIO (AP) — J.J. Spaun executed two pivotal shots late on a lengthy, rain-soaked Sunday, one resulting in a birdie and the other an eagle, propelling him to a 5-under 67 and a narrow one-stroke triumph at the Valero Texas Open. This marked his initial title since claiming the U.S. Open championship the previous summer.
Spaun secured his second victory at TPC San Antonio, though with a notable distinction. His prior win four years ago granted him entry into the Masters. Presently, as the reigning U.S. Open champion, his place at Augusta National was already assured. Nevertheless, this win held considerable significance.
Despite not achieving a top-20 finish in his seven starts this season—his best being a tie for 24th at The Players Championship—the 35-year-old Californian now boasts a validating conquest achieved under challenging weather conditions as he approaches the year’s inaugural major.
“It’s simply — this sport is so unpredictable,” Spaun remarked. “My form hasn’t been what I desired compared to last season, and I’ve just been striving to approach each day as it unfolds, embracing my current state.”
“There’s immense weight that accompanies winning major tournaments like that, a U.S. Open or any other significant event,” he stated. “I placed a great deal of pressure on myself at the beginning of the year, carrying many expectations. Over the past few weeks, starting at The Players, I aimed to liberate myself and ease that pressure, and it has been challenging. But adhering to that philosophy has genuinely aided me.”
Robert MacIntyre, who had maintained the lead for a significant portion of the tournament, completed 12 holes on Sunday morning in the competition that was delayed by storms. He carded an even-par 72, preserving a one-shot advantage entering the final round. Groupings remained unchanged for the concluding round in an effort to finish amidst further rainfall—though no lightning caused additional interruptions.
Spaun found himself among a dozen other contenders when he landed his tee shot just 3 feet from the cup on the par-3 16th, securing a birdie. Subsequently, he drove the green on the 306-yard 17th hole, leaving himself a 10-foot putt for an eagle.
He concluded his round with a par, establishing the target score at 17-under 271, approximately an hour ahead of MacIntyre and the final pairing. Spaun was on the practice range when MacIntyre, trailing by three strokes with two holes remaining, drove the 17th green and sank an eagle putt from just over 15 feet, reducing the deficit to a single shot.
However, the Scot pulled his second shot from a waterlogged fairway on the 609-yard closing hole—a par 5 that yielded only 10 birdies throughout the final round—and even after receiving relief from temporary immovable obstructions, MacIntyre’s subsequent shot was merely a wedge to 30 feet.
His birdie attempt, crucial for forcing a playoff, fell short of the hole. MacIntyre finished with a 70, tying for second place alongside Matt Wallace (68) and Michael Kim (69).
He (Spaun) recorded his third career PGA Tour win, with two of those victories occurring at the Texas Open.
Ludvig Aberg secured his third consecutive top-10 finish—including The Players Championship where he relinquished his lead on the back nine—as he prepares for the Masters. He closed with a 70 and shared fifth place with Andrew Putnam, who needed a birdie on the 18th to compel a playoff but sent his wedge shot into a back bunker, resulting in a bogey for a 70.
