A Dramatic Turn in Texas
Tony Finau delivered the shot of the day—and perhaps the tournament—on Friday, April 5th, at the 2025 Valero Texas Open in San Antonio, Texas. After a rollercoaster second round that put his weekend status in jeopardy, Finau stunned the gallery with a perfect ace on the par-3 16th. The hole-in-one not only electrified TPC San Antonio’s Oaks Course but also salvaged Finau’s round, helping him make the cut in dramatic fashion.
A Defining Shot
Finau stepped onto the 183-yard par-3 16th needing something special to turn things around. Using a 7-iron, the big-hitting American launched a high, cutting tee shot that landed just short of the pin and rolled true into the cup. The crowd erupted as Finau raised both arms in disbelief and celebration.
“I knew it was on a great line,” Finau said post-round. “But to see it drop—man, that was a huge moment. It really saved my round.”
It was Finau’s third career ace on the PGA Tour and one that couldn’t have come at a better time. The 34-year-old had been battling all day after opening the round with three bogeys in his first six holes.
Leaderboard Impact
Heading into the 16th, Finau was flirting with the projected cut line of even-par. The ace instantly moved him to 1-under for the round and +1 overall, ultimately securing his spot for the weekend as the cut settled at +1. He followed the ace with a steady par-par finish to card a 72 on the day.
While he trails leader Brendon Todd by a considerable margin, Finau’s momentum-shifting shot could set the stage for a weekend charge. His iron play has been sharp despite inconsistent putting, but the confidence boost from the ace could spark a turnaround.
“It was one of those shots where you just know it felt right,” Finau said after the round. “I saw it tracking and thought, ‘This has a chance.’ When it dropped, it was a huge moment—not just for the scorecard, but for my confidence.”
Other Notables
While Finau played hero, some big names found themselves heading home early. Rising star Ludvig Åberg and last week’s winner Akshay Bhatia both missed the cut. Åberg struggled with his driver and failed to recover, finishing at +4. Bhatia, still riding high from his Houston Open win, couldn’t replicate his form and closed at +3. Meanwhile, Brendon Todd leads the field at 9-under, with Jordan Spieth and Corey Conners hot on his heels, setting up a competitive weekend.
What’s Next
With the pressure of the cut behind him, all eyes will be on how Finau capitalizes on his late-round heroics. Known for explosive weekend performances, he’ll need a low Saturday to climb into contention. The Valero Texas Open has seen wild swings in recent years—and with Finau’s game heating up, anything’s possible.
