Novi, MI – 2THUMB putting grip ambassador, Matt Wallace fired a final round 68 to take the lead at 16-under-par on Sunday at the Valero Texas Open. Wallace then had to wait several hours in the clubhouse, while watching a dozen other contenders on the leaderboard, grind out the finishing holes. Conditions were wet, cold and windy at TPC San Antonio due to storms that blew through the area on Saturday causing the third round to be suspended and completed early Sunday morning.
Despite a marathon day, it was U.S. Open Champion, J.J. Spaun, who survived the weather delays and secured the win and his second Texas Open title (2022 & 2026). Spaun hit two remarkable tee shots down the stretch, setting up a birdie on the par-3 16th hole, followed by an eagle on the drivable par-4, 304-yard 17th hole, resulting in a 5-under 67 and the one-shot victory. Wallace finished T2 along with Michael Kim and Robert MacIntyre.
Wallace, from Watford, England, turned pro in 2012 and has six titles to his name across the DP World Tour and PGA TOUR. For Wallace, a victory would have secured him a spot in the 2026 Masters this week.
“I’ve played better the last few weeks than the results have shown. Mentally, I was very good this week,” said Wallace after his final round. “Patience is the worst word in golf, but you need a lot of it. I had patience this week and it paid dividends.”
Wallace uses 2THUMB’s Snug Tour 33 putting grip. He interlocks his fingers, so his palms are facing opposing each other, and as he grips the putter, he places his thumbs alongside one another. Known as the prayer grip, it allows Wallace’s shoulders to hang level, which promotes a pendulum putting motion. It also creates a triangle between his shoulders and hands, which makes it easier to rock back and forth.
A second 2THUMB player and winner of the 2018 Barracuda Championship, finished tied for fifth alongside Ludvig Auberg. The American PGA Tour player who turned pro in 2011, uses the 2THUMB STP 27.
2Thumb putting grips are approved by the USGA and R&A. They are an incredibly versatile grip that
accommodates a variety of putting grip styles, from Conventional, Claw, Left hand low, Prayer, etc.
For more information, go to www.usa.twothumbgrip.com. Photo: European Tour.
About 2THUMB GRIPS
2THUMB was founded in the U.K. in 2004 and has had great success on the DP World and PGA Tours. Former Super Stroke owner, Darin Dingman, launched 2THUMB Grips North America in 2022, based in Novi, Michigan. Dingman oversees product design, marketing, operations, and sales. 2THUMB grips come in six different models. Most models offer different cross-section dimensions and length options bringing the total to 18 available grips. For product questions, samples and ordering, please contact 2THUMB at 877-999-0829.
