J.J. Spaun came into Sunday's final round of the Valero Texas Open seven shots back, playing in near-anonymity while Robert MacIntyre held the 54-hole lead. By the time Spaun drained a 10-foot eagle putt on the drivable par-4 17th at TPC San Antonio, the tournament had flipped completely. MacIntyre answered with his own eagle to pull within one — but found trouble off the tee on 18 and made bogey.

Spaun's closing 67 was good for 17-under 271 and a one-shot win worth $1,764,000 — his third Tour title and first since capturing the 2025 U.S. Open at Oakmont.

The win validated what the U.S. Open suggested: Spaun is a legitimate top-tier player. He was bogey-free on Sunday and showed the kind of nerve you need at Augusta, where he heads this week with real momentum. MacIntyre, Ludvig Åberg, and Michael Kim all finished T2 at 16-under. Åberg's third consecutive top-10 makes him one of the more interesting names heading to Georgia.

The storylines heading into this week's Masters are stacking up fast. Rory McIlroy defends after completing the career Grand Slam last April, but arrives with a recent back issue and a shaky T46 at THE PLAYERS.

Scottie Scheffler is the betting favorite at +550, came to Augusta with a newborn son, and hasn't played competitively in weeks. Bryson DeChambeau arrives with back-to-back LIV wins and a +1200 ticket. And Gary Woodland, making his Masters debut after his return from brain surgery, gets one of the more remarkable Augusta entries in memory.

For the first time since 1994, neither Tiger Woods nor Phil Mickelson will compete — Tiger withdrew following a DUI arrest and crash in late March. The field is wide open. Someone is walking out of Georgia in a green jacket on Sunday. Could be anyone.

The Masters is the first major of the year — and there's no better time to start a group with your friends. Sub 60 Golf Fantasy is live and ready. Pick 2 golfers from each of 4 tiers, lock your lineup in under 60 seconds, and find out whose golf IQ actually holds up when the stakes are real.

Four majors a year means four chances to settle the debate. Start a group now, get your crew in, and make Augusta worth watching on a whole new level. No salary caps, no season-long commitments, no stress. Just golf. Play free at fantasy.sub60golf.com.

Your team's colors belong on the golf course. Gameday Hue makes premium golf gloves and hats in your team colors — no logos needed. College, NFL, NBA, MLB and more. Because colors speak louder than words®. Shop now at gamedayhue.com

A simple click on our partner link helps fuel our newsletter. No purchase is necessary – your clicks keep us on course.