Scotland’s Robert MacIntyre opened up a four-shot lead at the midway point of the Valero Texas Open on Friday at TPC San Antonio.
MacIntyre shot the round of the week so far, an 8-under-par 64, to climb to 14-under 130 through two rounds. Sweden’s Ludvig Aberg is his closest competitor after he shot a second consecutive 67 to get to 10 under par.
Bud Cauley (66), Kevin Roy (68), Tony Finau (69) and Denmark’s Thorbjorn Olesen (66) are tied for third at 9 under.
MacIntyre started on the back nine and went 4 under through a three-hole stretch at Nos. 14-16. He set himself up for an 8-foot eagle putt at the par-5 14th, then knocked in two more putts inside 8 feet for birdies at the next two holes.
The World No. 11 finished his round with four birdies on the final five holes. He made just one bogey against seven birdies.
While MacIntyre seeks his third PGA Tour win, Finau is vying for his seventh. The difference is he hasn’t triumphed since April 2023, and he has yet to be invited to next week’s Masters — something only a victory in Texas can change.
Finau ended his round with a bang, sinking a 34 1/2-foot eagle putt at the par-5 18th. He made an even longer eagle putt at No. 14 on Thursday, from 41 1/2 feet.
As the final few groups finished their rounds Friday evening, the cut line was projected to be 2 under. Jordan Spieth shot consecutive 71s to sit right on the line. Mark Hubbard, the first-round leader following a 7-under 65, stumbled to a 77 Friday and may also make the cut right on the number.
Those on the wrong side include Russell Henley (1 under), Max Homa (1 under), South Korea’s Tom Kim (even), Austrian Sepp Straka (even), Rickie Fowler (1 over) and Frenchman Matthieu Pavon (4 over).
