Martin Laird started the final round of the Valero Texas Open five shots back of the lead, but after nine birdies and no bogeys, Laird walked away with a punched ticket for The Masters and the 2013 Valero Texas Open title at TPC San Antonio.

Laird tied the course record with a final-round 63 and birdied Nos. 16, 17 and 18 en route to a two-shot win at 14-under par 274. It is Laird’s third PGA Tour victory, and first since the 2011 Arnold Palmer Invitational.

Laird used just 22 putts to get around the 7,522 yard course. Both Laird and Horschel, the Round 3 leader, were seeking to become the final player in the field at Augusta. But Laird had the hot hand, and Horschel, the Tour’s total birdies leader, cooled off under the Texas sun with a one-under 71 and 11-under total.

Laird is the first player since Johnson Wagner in 2008 to play his way into Augusta the week before The Masters.

With his win, the Scotsman breaks the streak of 14 consecutive American victories on Tour to begin the season, and 16 consecutive victories dating back to the McGladrey Classic at the end of the 2012 season.

Also making a strong final round push was Rory McIlroy who closed with a 6-under 66 to take second place. McIlroy’s somewhat controversial entry into the event was justified by his strong finish. Many players, especially those of McIlroy’s caliber, elect to take the week off before a major in favor of practicing. McIlroy, however, entered the tournament to build confidence in his swing and equipment changes and also get acclimated to playing toward the top of the leaderboard again.

His second-place finish was the best of his season, and should quiet criticism that McIlroy’s game is not at a level where he can compete at Augusta next week.

Also posting his best finish of the year was Jim Furyk, who tied for third with Horschel at 11-under par.

Laird earns $1,116,000 and 500 FedEx Cup points along with entries into the Players Championship, PGA Championship and 2014 Hyundai Tournament of Champions.

Click here to see what Laird has in the bag this week.