Sepp Straka wins Truist Championship after final-round duel with Shane Lowry

Straka captures his second PGA Tour title of the season, holding off Lowry and Thomas at Philadelphia Cricket Club.

Shane Lowry of Ireland and Sepp Straka of Austria on the 18th green during the final round of the Truist Championship at The Philadelphia Cricket Club (Wissahickon Course) on May 11, 2025, in Flourtown, Philadelphia. Photo by Tracy Wilcox/Getty Images

By Randy Ahmad and Hayu Andini

Sepp Straka wins Truist Championship in dramatic fashion, fending off a fierce challenge from Ireland's Shane Lowry to clinch his second PGA Tour title of the season. The Austrian, who moved to the United States as a teenager, carded a two-under-par 68 at the Philadelphia Cricket Club on Sunday, securing a two-stroke victory in one of the tour’s prestigious signature events.

With this win, Straka joins Rory McIlroy as the only player with multiple PGA Tour titles in 2025. It marks a significant milestone in his career as he continues his rise among golf’s elite, heading into the season's second major, the PGA Championship at Quail Hollow.

Straka stays steady in pressure-packed final round

The final round began with Straka and Lowry tied for the lead, setting the stage for an 18-hole showdown between two confident competitors. Lowry was the first to make a move, sinking a 13-foot birdie putt on the opening hole to grab the early lead. But Straka responded quickly, and the turning point came at the par-five fifth hole, where he made eagle from 20 feet after a superb approach shot from 220 yards.

Although he bogeyed the sixth, Straka’s momentum returned at the par-three eighth. While Lowry faltered with a bogey, missing a 10-foot par putt, Straka made birdie, swinging the lead back in his favor. Another birdie at the ninth gave the Austrian a two-shot cushion at the turn.

However, that advantage quickly disappeared. Straka dropped shots on the 10th and 11th, allowing Lowry back into contention. The duel remained tight as both players birdied the 15th, but Lowry’s missed par putt on the 16th handed the lead back to Straka. This time, he would not relinquish it, finishing with three consecutive pars to secure the win.

Lowry stumbles on 18 as Straka prevails

Going into the 18th hole, Lowry was just one shot behind Straka. The pressure was immense, but it was Lowry who blinked first. A three-putt bogey dashed his hopes of forcing a playoff, while Straka calmly rolled in his par putt to clinch the title.

“It’s huge, the biggest win of my career,” said Straka. “I’m just so grateful for the process and the whole team that kind of makes me play as well as I do.”

Straka praised his coaches and support staff, emphasizing the importance of teamwork in his success. “Even this week when they weren’t here, we were in constant communication. Their hard work and belief in me have really paid off.”

Justin Thomas, McIlroy trail behind in final push

While Straka celebrated his win, Justin Thomas and Rory McIlroy both fell just short. Thomas mounted a spirited charge, but a missed six-foot putt that stopped three feet short of the hole ultimately cost him a chance at the title. He finished tied for second with Lowry at two strokes behind the winner.

“It was a bad putt,” Thomas admitted. “But I’m choosing to focus on all the other ones I made today rather than that one.”

McIlroy, meanwhile, closed with a two-under 68, finishing in a tie for seventh, six shots behind Straka. The Northern Irishman acknowledged that his driving accuracy had let him down, but he remained upbeat about his game heading into next week’s PGA Championship.

“Overall, I felt like I got a little better as the week went on,” McIlroy said. “I wish I’d made a few more birdies, but I’ve got a better gauge of where my game is right now than I did at the start of the week.”

A season-defining moment for Straka

Straka's victory at the Truist Championship is his fourth on the PGA Tour and arguably the most significant of his career. Not only did he emerge triumphant in one of the season’s six signature events, but he also proved his mettle in a high-pressure situation against world-class opponents.

Coming just days before the PGA Championship, the win boosts Straka’s confidence and positions him as a legitimate contender heading into Quail Hollow. With his consistent ball-striking and calm demeanor under pressure, the Austrian is now firmly on the radar of fans and analysts alike.

Outlook heading into the PGA Championship

With his win at the Truist, Straka joins an elite group of multiple-time winners in 2025 and enters the upcoming major with significant momentum. His all-around performance, especially his ability to bounce back from mistakes and hold steady on the closing stretch, showcases the mental toughness required to contend on the biggest stages.

The PGA Championship at Quail Hollow begins Thursday, and all eyes will be on Straka to see if he can carry his form into one of golf’s most challenging tournaments. Rory McIlroy, a four-time winner at Quail Hollow, will also be looking to capitalize on his recent form as he aims for a second major title this year.

As the season heats up, Sepp Straka’s name is one to watch—no longer just a solid performer, but a proven winner on the PGA Tour’s biggest stages.