Spaun previously won this event four years ago to qualify for the Masters at that time. He had not finished in the top 20 in seven starts this year before this victory, with his best result being a tie for 24th at The Players Championship. S.
Open champion and already had his spot at Augusta National secured before this win. Robert MacIntyre led for much of the tournament and was ahead by one shot going into the final round after completing 12 holes on Sunday morning with an even-par 72. During the final round, Spaun hit a tee shot to 3 feet on the par-3 16th for birdie and drove the green on the 306-yard 17th hole to 10 feet for eagle.
As my family continues to navigate a personal health matter.
He finished with a par to set the target at 17-under, about an hour before MacIntyre and the final group. MacIntyre holed an eagle putt just outside 15 feet on the 17th hole to get within one shot of Spaun with two holes to play, but he hooked his second shot on the closing hole, a par 5, and could only hit wedge to 30 feet after getting relief from temporary immovable obstructions. His birdie putt to force a playoff was short, and he closed with a 70 to share second place with Matt Wallace (68) and Michael Kim (69).
The Valero Texas Open finished its second round on Friday, ending last-chance bids for some players to qualify for the Masters next week. Rickie Fowler missed the cut, ending his chance to qualify and will not be at Augusta for the fifth time in the past six years; he needed to win the Texas Open to qualify but hasn't won on the PGA Tour since the 2023 Rocket Mortgage Classic. Tom Kim missed the cut and will be absent from Augusta National for the first time in his professional career, while Tony Finau will not be in the field for the first time since 2018, and Joaquin Niemann will be out after five straight appearances.
High-profile absences at the Masters include Phil Mickelson, who revealed he will skip this year's tournament due to a personal health matter in his family. Tiger Woods will also be out as he deals with the fallout of a car crash and his subsequent arrest for alleged DUI, with reports indicating he is stepping away to seek treatment and focus on his health.