J.J. Spaun delivered when it mattered most Sunday, hitting two clutch shots late in the final round of the Valero Texas Open that led to a birdie-eagle sequence and secured a one-shot victory. His 5-under 67 gave him a 17-under 271 total in the rain-soaked tournament at TPC San Antonio.
It’s Spaun’s first win since capturing the U.S. Open last summer and his second victory at this event. The 35-year-old Californian had been struggling this season, failing to crack the top 20 in seven starts before this breakthrough.
“This game is so crazy,” Spaun said. “I haven’t been feeling at the form I wanted to be based on last season, and just trying to take each day as it comes, and accepting what I have.”
The timing couldn’t be better as he heads to Augusta National next week with renewed confidence.
“There’s just so much that comes with winning big events like that, a U.S. Open or any other major,” he explained. “I put a lot of pressure on me to start the year, a lot of expectations. I went into the last few weeks starting at the Players trying to be freed up, and put less pressure on myself, and it’s been trying. But sticking to that mantra has really helped me.”
Robert MacIntyre, who led much of the tournament, completed his delayed third round Sunday morning with an even-par 72 to maintain a one-shot advantage heading into the final round. Tournament officials kept the same groupings for the final round to ensure completion amid more rain.
Spaun was just one of many contenders until he hit his tee shot to 3 feet on the par-3 16th for birdie. He followed that by driving the green on the 306-yard 17th hole and converting a 10-foot eagle putt to surge ahead.
After finishing with a par, Spaun watched from the range as MacIntyre made a late charge. The Scot, trailing by three with two holes to play, drove the 17th green and holed an eagle putt from just outside 15 feet to get within one.
But MacIntyre hooked his second shot from a wet fairway on the 609-yard closing hole. Even after getting relief from temporary immovable obstructions, he could only hit wedge to 30 feet. His birdie putt to force a playoff never had enough pace, coming up short all the way.
MacIntyre’s closing 70 left him tied for second at 16 under with Matt Wallace (68) and Michael Kim (69).
This marks Spaun’s third PGA Tour victory, with two coming at the Texas Open.
Ludvig Aberg continued his strong play heading into his Masters debut, posting a final-round 70 to tie for fifth with Andrew Putnam. Putnam needed birdie on the 18th to force a playoff but hit his wedge into a back bunker and made bogey for a 70.
