Staff Reporter.
Sepp Straka won his second event of the season at the Truist Championship after Shane Lowry three-putted the 18th hole.
The two players went into the final round in the joint lead on 14 under and it was Austrian Straka who emerged with victory after a final round 68 put him on 16 under.
Irishman Lowry went round in level-par 70, two late bogeys leaving him tied for second with Justin Thomas at the Philadelphia Cricket Club’s Wissahickon Course.
A key moment took place on the 16th when both Straka and Lowry were on 16 under. Lowry missed a five-foot putt and bogeyed the hole, while Straka managed a par to lead by one shot with two holes remaining.
Straka kept hold of his lead to claim his fourth PGA Tour victory, while a dejected Lowry three-putted the 18th hole to finish two shots adrift of the winner, along with American Thomas.
“I hit a lot of really good shots and made a lot of mistakes. I hung in there,” said Straka.
“I had a two-shot lead [after the ninth hole] and made two bogeys on the next two holes to lose it, but I kept the same attitude and mentality throughout the round.”
England’s Tommy Fleetwood birdied the last in recording a 65, along with Americans Patrick Cantlay and Jacob Bridgeman, as they all finished on 12 under for a tie of fourth.
Defending champion Rory McIlroy, a four-time winner of the event when held at Quail Hollow, the venue for next week’s US PGA Championship, finished on 10 under after a steady round of 68 featuring 16 pars.
“I thought on the greens was good even though I didn’t hole a lot of putts today,” said McIlroy. “My approach play got a little better as the week went on, I just need to hit a few more fairways.
“I feel with next week and the tee shots I have to hit there, it’ll set up better for me. “I’m looking forward to getting to Quail Hollow and seeing some more familiar visuals.”