The Valero Texas Open is an important event for more than one reason. As well as the $9.8m prize money, FedEx Cup points and world ranking points available at the tournament, there are also implications for the first Major of the year, The Masters.
For some players in the TPC San Antonio field, the event offers an opportunity to work on their games before turning their attention to the Augusta National Major, with their places already secured.
Among that group are the likes of 36-hole leader Robert MacIntyre and others contending for the title such as Ludvig Aberg, Marco Penge and Michael Kim.
While the likes of Rickie Fowler and Tom Kim missed the cut at the event, ending their chances of an appearance at The Masters, for others, there was still a chance to earn an invite, with the final spot set aside for a player who wins the event if not otherwise exempt.
The third round was suspended for the day on Saturday due to inclement weather, but even with plenty of golf still to play, at that point, we had an idea of which players were likely to remain in contention over the final round.
Here are some of the players still hoping for a Masters invite who are in with a chance of winning the Valero Texas Open.
Matt Wallace
Matt Wallace is looking for his fourth start at The Masters
(Image credit: Getty Images)
Wallace finished T51 at the Texas Children’s Houston Open, leaving him 96th in the world rankings and needing his second PGA Tour win to claim a fourth Masters appearance.
He is giving himself a chance at the Valero Texas Open, in T3 at 11 under through 14 holes of his third round, four behind leader MacIntyre.
Ryo Hisatsune
Ryo Hisatsune missed the cut at the 2024 Masters
(Image credit: Getty Images)
Hisatsune, who is ranked 64th in the world, has only one Masters start to his name, and it ended in disappointment when he missed the cut in 2024.
The Japanese star still has a chance to earn his place at the 2026 edition. After two rounds of 68, he was level with Wallace on 11 under through eight holes of his third round.
Tony Finau
Tony Finau hasn’t missed The Masters since 2017
(Image credit: Getty Images)
Six-time PGA Tour winner Finau hasn’t missed…
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