On April 6th, 2026, we break down the weekend action at the Valero Texas Open where J.J. Spaun conquered his mental demons and a waterlogged TPC San Antonio to capture a thrilling one-stroke victory.

VALERO TEXAS OPEN CHAMPION

• J.J. Spaun captured a one-stroke victory at 17-under, shedding the heavy expectations of his 2025 US Open title. Armed with custom Srixon irons and a LAB Golf DF3 putter, he executed a brilliant mental reset.
• "My strategy was to not spiral believe it or not... I felt like I needed to be this perfect golfer," Spaun admitted, adding of his putter, "LAB is that advantage."
• Immediately after securing the hard-fought victory, Spaun turned to his caddie on the green and simply said, "Happy birthday bro."

THE CHASE PACK & HEARTBREAK

• A crowded tie for second at 16-under featured Michael Kim's blistering back-nine 32 and Matt Wallace's desperate Masters push. Meanwhile, Robert MacIntyre saw his title hopes vanish with a devastating snap hook off the 18th tee.
• MacIntyre lamented his 18th hole disaster, saying "it is just carnage" and "I just overcompensated," while NBC called Wallace's lucky chip-in on 15 "Hello indeed... almost a little embarrassed."
• Wallace made sure to heap praise on his caddie, Jamie, during his frantic push for an Augusta invite, while Kim put on a ball-striking clinic highlighted by a massive 341-yard drive in round three.

ABERG, WEATHER & CONTROVERSY

• Ludvig Aberg settled for T-5 after a late-round collapse, battling severe weather that forced preferred lies. The soggy conditions were matched in drama only by the fierce social media backlash over David Ford's agonizingly slow putting routine.
• Referee Ken Tackett noted "Mother Nature is undefeated" regarding the drainage issues, while a fan called Ford's viral 51-second AimPoint routine "an abomination against humanity."
• Despite Aberg's closing struggles, his physical dominance was on full display with a monstrous drive on 17 that prompted NBC to declare, "Ludvig is on a different planet."

Quick Hits

Kevin Yu drains a clutch 48-foot putt to secure Aon Swing Five points for the RBC Heritage • Fans compare the preferred lies ruling to LIV Golf ("Literally the worst to ever do it") • MacIntyre debuts a new Titleist driver amidst the Texas winds

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