J.J. Spaun closed with a 5-under 67 to win the Valero Texas Open at 17-under, edging Robert MacIntyre by one shot before the Masters.
J.J. Spaun gave himself exactly the kind of lift a player wants heading into Augusta.
The U.S. Open champion captured the Valero Texas Open on Sunday, firing a 5-under 67 to finish at 17-under 271 and claim a one-shot win at TPC San Antonio.
For Spaun, it was his third PGA Tour title and another big moment at an event where he’s now won twice.
The victory didn’t come easy. With the tournament pushed into a long, rain-soaked Sunday, Spaun found his winning move late in the final round. He stuffed his tee shot on the par-3 16th to set up birdie, then took over the tournament on the drivable 17th by reaching the green and converting an eagle putt. That closing burst gave him the cushion he needed as contenders made one last push behind him.
The win mattered for more than the trophy. Spaun arrived in Texas still searching for his best form in 2026, with no top-20 finishes in his first seven starts and only a tie for 24th at THE PLAYERS as his best result.
After the round, he admitted he had been pressing early in the season following the expectations that came with winning last year’s U.S. Open. Sunday’s performance looked like a reset at the perfect time.
Robert MacIntyre, who led much of the week, stayed in the fight until the final hole.
The Scot finished with a 70 and tied for second at 16-under alongside Matt Wallace, who shot 68, and Michael Kim, who posted 69. MacIntyre briefly made things interesting with an eagle on 17, but his birdie try on the par-5 18th never had enough pace to force a playoff.
Ludvig Åberg closed with a 70 and finished tied for fifth at 15-under, giving him a third straight top-10 result entering the Masters.
That only adds to the intrigue for Augusta, but this week belonged to Spaun, who suddenly looks a lot more dangerous heading into the year’s first major.
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