J.J. Spaun wins Valero Texas Open, finds form before Masters

Spaun secures third PGA Tour victory, putting him in good position for first major of 2026 season.

Apr. 5, 2026 at 11:04pm

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J.J. Spaun, who struggled early in the 2026 season, found his winning form again at the Valero Texas Open, securing his third PGA Tour victory. Spaun fired a 32 on the back nine to finish the tournament at 17 under, holding off a charge from 54-hole leader Robert MacIntyre. The victory puts Spaun in good position heading into the first major of the year, the Masters, just a few days away.

Why it matters

Spaun's victory at the Valero Texas Open marks a significant turnaround in his 2026 season. After struggling early on, the win gives him momentum and confidence heading into the Masters, the first major championship of the year. Spaun's previous victory at the Valero in 2022 propelled him to a breakout year, including a U.S. Open title, and this latest win could signal a similar trajectory.

The details

Spaun, who won the Valero Texas Open in 2022, used a gutsy eagle on the risk-reward 17th hole as the catalyst to securing his third PGA Tour victory. He finished the wet and wild tournament at 17 under, holding off a charge from 54-hole leader Robert MacIntyre. MacIntyre was looking to become the third straight left-handed player to capture the Valero, but a wayward second shot on the par-5 18th hole proved his ultimate demise.

  • Spaun won the Valero Texas Open in 2022.
  • The 2026 Valero Texas Open was played in early April, just a few days before the Masters.

The players

J.J. Spaun

An American professional golfer who secured his third PGA Tour victory at the 2026 Valero Texas Open. Spaun's previous win at the Valero in 2022 propelled him to a breakout year, including a U.S. Open title in 2025.

Robert MacIntyre

A Scottish professional golfer who was the 54-hole leader at the 2026 Valero Texas Open. MacIntyre was looking to become the third straight left-handed player to capture the Valero title.

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What they’re saying

“There's just so much that comes with winning big events like that, like a U.S. Open or any other major. I put a lot of pressure on myself this year to start the year, and a lot of expectations. It's the complete opposite of the mantra I had all year last year that really helped me, so I tried to get back to that. Went into the last few weeks, starting at The Players just trying to be freed up and put less pressure on myself. It's been trying, but sticking to that mantra has really helped me.”

— J.J. Spaun, Professional Golfer

“I don't know if you'd seen my second shot this morning. I tried to hit up the left. I hit it right off the water. I meant to fade it, but the wind's off the right, it's just not a comfortable shot for me. I normally draw my 3-wood, so I should have just stood up there, but my job was to have a third shot, so just do not hit it in the water, so I just overcompensated, just pulled it. But that's OK because I've got a shot. Yeah, could have done with it being a bit closer.”

— Robert MacIntyre, Professional Golfer

What’s next

The first major championship of the 2026 season, the Masters, will be played just a few days after Spaun's Valero Texas Open victory, giving him momentum and confidence heading into the prestigious tournament.

The takeaway

Spaun's win at the Valero Texas Open demonstrates his ability to bounce back from early-season struggles and regain his winning form at a crucial time, just before the first major of the year. The victory puts him in a strong position to contend at the Masters and potentially build on his previous major championship success.