Hoey finds spark late, eyes bigger runs ahead
MANILA, Philippines — Rico Hoey unleashed a blazing closing stretch to salvage a joint 39th-place finish at the Valero Texas Open — a result that may fall short of expectations but underscored his growing promise heading into the rest of the PGA Tour season.
Starting the final round at TPC San Antonio’s Oaks Course with an erratic mix of three birdies and three bogeys through 10 holes, Hoey found himself stuck in neutral. But just when momentum seemed elusive, the ICTSI-backed shotmaker flipped the script in spectacular fashion.
He broke a run of pars with a clutch birdie on No. 4, draining a 26-foot putt that ignited a surge. What followed was a stunning stretch of four consecutive birdies, highlighted by pinpoint approach shots and a confident putting stroke. Hoey capped his round with another birdie on the ninth from 18 feet for a sizzling 67 — one of the day’s most impressive finishes.
His 283 aggregate only translated to a tie for 39th, but the 25-place leap up the leaderboard spoke volumes. More importantly, it showcased the resilience and scoring firepower of a player steadily finding his rhythm after a string of middling early-season results.
Hoey’s round was a tale of persistence. He earlier strung together three birdies in four holes from No. 14 to recover from a bogey on the 12th, only to be slowed again by miscues on Nos. 18 and 10. Yet instead of fading, he responded with authority — an encouraging sign of maturity and mental toughness.
At the top of the leaderboard, J.J. Spaun delivered a composed finish, carding back-to-back rounds of 66 and 67 to secure a one-shot victory at 17-under 271, holding off a charging pack that included Robert MacIntyre, Michael Kim and Matt Wallace.
Spaun’s defining moment came at the drivable par-4 17th, where he blasted a 306-yard drive to within nine feet and converted for eagle before closing with a steady par to clinch the title.
Meanwhile, in the LPGA Tour, Lauren Coughlin outlasted Nelly Korda to capture the Aramco Championship at Shadow Creek in Las Vegas.
Coughlin leaned on composure under pressure, posting a gritty even-par 72 to finish at 281 and secure a commanding five-shot victory — her third LPGA title.
Korda, unable to mount her usual late charge, settled for a 75 and a share of second with Leona Maguire, who fired a 71, at 286.
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