SAN ANTONIO — J.J. Spaun delivered when it mattered most, capping a challenging season with a clutch victory at the Valero Texas Open that validated his status as a major champion heading into the Masters.
The 35-year-old Californian fired a final-round 67 in wet, demanding conditions at TPC San Antonio, finishing at 17-under 271 to claim his third PGA TOUR title and second at this venue. His one-shot triumph came nearly nine months after capturing the U.S. Open, ending a stretch where he had struggled to find his form.
"It's just — this game is so crazy," Spaun said after the victory. "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 victory marked a dramatic turnaround for Spaun, who had failed to record a top-20 finish in seven starts this year, with his best result being a tie for 24th at THE PLAYERS Championship. The weight of expectations following his major breakthrough had taken its toll.
"There's just so much that comes with winning big events like that, a U.S. Open or any other major," he said. "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."
The tournament was shortened by weather delays, with players completing storm-interrupted third rounds Sunday morning before diving straight into the finale. Robert MacIntyre, who had dominated much of the week, maintained his lead after finishing his third round with an even-par 72.
The defining moment arrived at the drivable 306-yard 17th hole, where Spaun drove the green and converted a 10-foot eagle putt to seize control. The eagle moved him to 17-under par and provided the cushion he would ultimately need.
After securing par on the 18th, Spaun finished approximately an hour before the final group, watching nervously as MacIntyre mounted a late charge. The Scottish golfer, trailing by three shots with two holes remaining, duplicated Spaun's strategy by driving the 17th green and rolling in an eagle putt from just outside 15 feet to pull within one shot.
The drama reached its crescendo on the 609-yard par-5 closing hole, where MacIntyre needed birdie to force a playoff. However, his second shot from a saturated fairway caught the wrong side of the fairway, and even after receiving relief from temporary immovable obstructions, he could only advance his ball with a wedge to 30 feet.
MacIntyre's birdie attempt to extend the tournament never threatened the hole, rolling short to give Spaun his first victory since his major triumph. The Scot closed with a 70 to share second place at 16-under alongside Matt Wallace (68) and Michael Kim (69).
"Yeah, I think overall I felt like I was striking it quite nice," Åberg said of his ball-striking throughout the week. "I kind of got away with a few tee balls in the middle of the round where I wasn't hitting the fairways necessarily. But yeah, I think I got away with a few for sure. But overall, I feel like my iron play has been pretty good lately."
Andrew Putnam, who joined Åberg in the tie for fifth, had his own chance at glory but found trouble on the final hole. Needing birdie on 18 to force a playoff, Putnam hit his wedge approach into a back bunker and made bogey for a 70.
The victory carries special significance for Spaun, who won the Valero Texas Open four years ago to earn his first trip to Augusta National. This time, he arrives at the Masters as the defending U.S. Open champion, armed with renewed confidence after proving he can still win at the highest level.
The challenging conditions throughout the weekend tested every player's resolve, with wet fairways and gusty winds making scoring difficult. Only 10 players managed birdie on the 18th hole during the final round, highlighting the demanding nature of the closing stretch.
Spaun's triumph sets up an intriguing storyline heading into the Masters, where the pressure will be on him to back up his major championship with another strong performance. Having rediscovered his winning formula in Texas, he'll carry momentum and confidence into golf's most prestigious tournament.