Sepp Straka seals Truist title as Europe lay down another marker for Ryder Cup
Another big week on the PGA Tour, another winner for Europe Ryder Cup captain Luke Donald to celebrate. In Sepp Straka, the blue-and-gold brigade have a multiple winner on the US circuit this year and, as a new member of the world’s top 10, the unassuming but hugely talented Austrian should be a huge asset in his second match in September.
By fending off Ireland’s Shane Lowry down the stretch in an absorbing Truist Championship, Straka, 32, collected the £2.7 million first prize and moved up to ninth in the rankings.
When he tapped in for a 68 and 16-under total to prevail by two shots, it meant that Europeans have won on eight of the last 16 PGA Tour Sundays, a remarkable return and one which will surely have Donald struggling to contain his excitement, as he looks forward to the challenge of trying to triumph on away soil at Bethpage Black in four months’ time
The winning putt for Sepp Straka as he narrowly beat Shane Lowry at the Truist Championship to earn his second win of the year 🏆 pic.twitter.com/Ww1G6tQYVn
— Sky Sports Golf (@SkySportsGolf) May 11, 2025
It was a disappointing finish for Lowry, who was leading with four holes to go but suffered two lip-outs and ended up tying with Justin Thomas in second. Yet, after performing so well in a field boasting 44 of the world’s top 50, he should head to the US PGA Championship – the season’s second major which starts in Charlotte on Thursday – in confident form.
Saying that, Lowry was clearly distraught after three-putting the 18th and was consoled by Rory McIlroy. After finishing seventh, the world No 2 had hung around Philadelphia Cricket Club ready to return the compliment – Lowry was on hand to hug his countryman when he completed the career grand slam at last month’s Masters – but his support was needed for a different reason.
McIlroy ‘didn’t play well but still finished seventh’
For McIlroy, this was rousing preparation for his attempt to tie Sir Nick Faldo by winning a sixth major. He admitted to feeling rusty and his driver was nowhere near its best, but in his first individual appearance since his Augusta glory, he still managed to compete. And as he heads to Quail Hollow – where he has won on four occasions – he can only be brimming with self-belief.
“I sort of struggle with this, whenever we get these big, wide, open golf courses where there’s not a ton of definition,” McIlroy said, referring to his errant tee-game. “I think I would have hit more fairways if it had been tree-lined.
“I felt like I drove it a little better on the back nine today, which was good. Overall I felt like I got a little better as the tournament went on. I was bogey-free today. And I’ve got a better gauge of where my game is standing here right now than I did at the start of the week. I wish I had gotten myself into contention a little bit more, but it was a good week, especially looking ahead to next week.
“Look, I didn’t feel like I played all that well and still finished seventh. A couple little improvements and little tweaks, especially going to a place I love like Quail Hollow, and I feel like I’m in a really good spot.”
