Valero Texas Open Round 2: MacIntyre Builds a 4-Shot Lead and Looks Like He's Heading to Augusta on a Heater

Robert MacIntyre came to San Antonio for one reason: to sharpen up before the Masters. Based on Friday’s performance, the man is a damn samurai sword right now.

The Scotsman ripped an 8-under 64 — highlighted by four birdies in his final five holes — to open a four-shot lead at 14-under 130 heading into the weekend at TPC San Antonio. His Ryder Cup teammate Ludvig Åberg sits alone in second at 10-under after a 67 that included a wedge holed from 120 yards for eagle.

This thing is starting to feel less like a tournament and more like a coronation.

MacIntyre Is Locked In

MacIntyre said he added the Valero to his schedule specifically to avoid going into Augusta cold — he skipped it last year and went straight to the Masters. Lesson learned.

“I wanted to be sharp — or sharper — going into Augusta,” MacIntyre said.

Mission accomplished? The guy hit a hybrid that rolled out to 8 feet for eagle on the par-5 14th, then closed with four birdies from inside 10 feet. When your putter is that hot a week before Augusta, good things are coming.

If he wins, he’d become the third straight left-handed player to win the Valero Texas Open, following Brian Harman (2025) and Akshay Bhatia (2024). That’s a weird stat, and I love it.

Åberg’s Quiet Resurgence

Åberg’s 67 could’ve easily been a 64 or 65. The eagle-2 on the par-4 sixth — holing a wedge from 120 — was the shot of the day, but a three-putt from 100 feet on his final hole left a sour taste.

Still, the Swede sounded like a guy who’s mentally moved past his collapse at THE PLAYERS two weeks ago.

“I feel great. I feel like I’ve been playing good golf,” Åberg said. “Golf is about putting yourself in situations where you can win tournaments. I’m looking forward to one more shot at it this week.”

Four back with 36 holes left isn’t dead. But MacIntyre would have to let him in.

Finau’s Masters Hopes Getting Dimmer

Tony Finau entered the second round one shot off the lead. He left it five shots back after a rollercoaster 69 that included three bogeys in a six-hole stretch early on.

A 35-foot eagle putt on the par-5 18th saved his round from disaster, but Finau needs to win outright for a Masters invite — and he’s now chasing a guy who looks nearly unbeatable. At 9-under, he’s tied with Kevin Roy, Bud Cauley, and Thorbjørn Olesen.

“Sometimes those are the small little breaks that you need to be towards the top of the leaderboard,” Finau said about the closing eagle. He’ll need a lot more than small breaks on Saturday.

Hubbard’s Collapse

Remember Mark Hubbard? Led after Round 1 at 7-under? Shot a 77 on Friday. Went from one shot ahead to 12 shots behind. Made the cut right on the number at 2-under 142.

That is absolutely brutal. Golf is the cruelest sport.

The Masters Picture

The winner gets the last invite to Augusta — assuming they’re not already in. MacIntyre already has his exemption, so if he wins, it’s purely about form heading into the year’s first major. For everyone else in the top 10 without an invite, the math is simple: pass the Scotsman or go home.

With the way MacIntyre is swinging, Saturday might be more about who finishes second than who wins. And with the Masters already missing Tiger and now Mickelson, the tournament can use all the feel-good storylines it can get.

Weekend tee times: MacIntyre and Åberg go out in the final group Saturday afternoon. Grab a seat — this could be special.