JJ Spaun (-17) has suddenly reappeared, as if by magic, in our lives. The US Open champion has emerged from the torpor that had been consuming him and won the Valero Texas Open this Sunday. In doing so, he brings an end to a start to 2026 that was grey, bordering on black. It is his resurrection.
The venue chosen by Spaun is no coincidence. The Valero Texas Open was his first victory on the PGA Tour and the only one he had to his name until his triumph at Oakmont last year.
The final day of the Valero Texas was very long and complicated. First, because the round couldn’t be finished yesterday and today many holes had to be played, more than 30 in the case of the leader Robert MacIntyre. Second, because it was a difficult day weather-wise. A grey day with periods of rain, cold and damp.
The finish to the tournament was very exciting because contenders and leaders kept appearing in the clubhouse. The first to post a strong score was Matt Wallace (-16). It looked promising, he could have been the winner…
In fact, it would have gone to a playoff if not for JJ Spaun (-17), the next leader in the clubhouse after a sensational eagle at the 17th hole. His drive off the tee was fabulous.
Spaun had to wait an hour before raising his arms as champion. In that time he suffered three major attacks: Michael Kim, MacIntyre and Michael Kim. All three were left needing a birdie on the 18th to force a playoff.
Ultimately, none of the three managed it, despite it being a par 5, and the victory went to Spaun. This ends a very poor run of results. In his first seven tournaments of 2026 he had missed four cuts and his best finish had been a 24th at THE PLAYERS.
Spaun chose a magnificent moment to win again. There’s nothing better than lifting the spirits just before the Masters.
