Texas Open: Robert MacIntyre misses out on title before Masters as JJ Spaun gets third win
Scotland’s Robert MacIntyre missed out on a chance to win a third PGA Tour title as he was overtaken by American JJ Spaun at the weather-hit Texas Open.
MacIntyre led on 14 under par, one shot clear of the chasing pack, when the third round belated ended on Sunday, after storms curtailed Saturday’s play.
The world number 11 then shot a two-under 70 in his fourth round, thanks to an eagle at the par-four 17.
But he was unable to match the final-day surge from US Open champion Spaun and had to settle for a share of second place ahead of Masters week at Augusta.
Spaun’s closing 67 took him to 17 under for a one-shot win, with MacIntyre – who had to play 30 holes on Sunday – unable to make the birdie he needed at 18 to force a play-off.
The victory was 35-year-old Spaun’s second at the San Antonio event, the setting for his maiden PGA Tour title in 2022.
England’s Matt Wallace also finished on 16 under as he followed up a third-round 64 with a 68 that gave him the clubhouse lead for a long time, while American Michael Kim made it a three-way tie in second.
“This game is so crazy,” Spaun told Sky Sports. “I’ve not been at the form I wanted to be based off last season. It means a lot to come back and win here at a place that’s been so good to me.
“There’s so much that comes with winning such big events like the US Open or any other major. I put a lot of pressure on myself this year, complete opposite of the mantra from last year that really helped me, so I tried to get back to that.
“I put less pressure on myself. It’s been trying, but sticking to that mantra has really helped me.”
MacIntyre’s second-round lead had been reduced from four shots to two by Swedish playing partner Ludvig Aberg through six holes when storms caused the third round to be suspended on Saturday.
The 29-year-old Scot was faced with a heavy Sunday schedule but still looked set to carry a two-shot lead into the final 18 holes, only to bogey the last for a 72, a frustrating note on which to end his third round.
MacIntyre then twice made birdie before immediately dropping a shot in his final round, and Spaun sprinted to the clubhouse lead with three birdies plus an eagle on the driveable 17th.
MacIntyre matched that eagle to rally his hopes of victory, but he hit a wayward second shot on 18 and could not get close enough with his third to slot another birdie, ensuring Spaun won a third PGA Tour title of his career.
There will be little time to celebrate victory for Spaun, or dwell on what might have been for MacIntyre, who began the tournament with rounds of 66 and 64, as the Masters, the first major of the year, begins on Thursday.
