Straka, Lowry Share Lead Heading Into Final Round at Truist Championship
Sepp Straka and Shane Lowry are tied atop the leaderboard at The Philadelphia Cricket Club, setting up a compelling final-round showdown with contrasting storylines.
Straka fired a 4-under 66 while Lowry posted a 67 in Saturday’s blustery conditions, putting both at 13 under par on the Wissahickon Course. For Straka, a win Sunday would make him just the second multiple-event winner on Tour this season, joining Rory McIlroy. Lowry, meanwhile, is chasing his first individual title since his 2019 Open Championship triumph.
The two leaders are approaching Sunday’s pressure differently. Straka, who won The American Express in January, embraces the final-round nerves.
“All you can do is try to focus on what you can control, and that is your target, try to hit your number, and try to make a good swing,” Straka said. “You’re going to feel terrible while trying to do it, but that’s just part of it. That kind of makes it fun when you are able to pull it off.”
Lowry, despite his winless streak in individual events, seems unfazed by the opportunity.
“Keep knocking on the door, and eventually you’ll go through it. I feel like I’ve done a good job of it this season, last season. It does get frustrating sometimes,” said Lowry, who did team with McIlroy to win in New Orleans last year. “I’m going to go out and give my best. If it’s good tomorrow, that will be great.”
Straka was remarkably steady throughout Saturday’s round, offsetting his lone bogey with five birdies—two coming in the final four holes. He punctuated his day with a clutch 16½-foot par putt on the 18th to maintain his share of the lead.
The wind was a significant factor Saturday, gusting up to 27 mph across the 7,100-yard layout. That’s a stark contrast from Thursday when 64 players broke par, and Friday’s rain-softened conditions.
“It’s great to see the way the conditions come into it today,” Lowry said. “The golf course is standing up really well… It was very tough today in those winds, particularly tough to hole putts.”
Keith Mitchell, who led after both the first and second rounds, struggled to a 1-over round and sits two shots back at 11 under. He’s tied with Justin Thomas, who posted a 67 despite bogeys on both par 5s.
Hideki Matsuyama carded the day’s best round, a 7-under 63, putting him at 10 under and just three shots off the lead.
Defending champion Rory McIlroy is five back after a 69. He’s part of a group at 8 under that includes Nick Taylor, Sam Burns, Sungjae Im, and Tony Finau, who all shot 67.
McIlroy hit just 3 of 14 fairways Saturday, limiting his ability to make a move. He’s seeking his first individual win since completing the career Grand Slam at the Masters last month.
Thomas, fresh off his victory at the RBC Heritage, made a strong move with birdies on three of the final four holes on the front nine, plus back-to-back birdies on the back to climb into contention.
Philly Cricket making history
The Philadelphia Cricket Club will make PGA Tour history in Sunday’s final round. The par-3 14th hole on the Wissahickon Course will play just 95 yards, making it the shortest par 3 in the ShotLink era on Tour (excluding majors).
This setup pays homage to Philly Cricket’s original St. Martins Course, built in 1895 and expanded to 18 holes in 1897. That historic layout hosted the U.S. Open in both 1907 and 1910.
For comparison, the 15th hole at Los Angeles Country Club played 81 yards during the third round of last year’s U.S. Open.
Out of the running
Justin Rose, who won the 2013 U.S. Open at nearby Merion Golf Club, withdrew after two rounds due to illness. He was last in the 72-player field at 7 over. Michael Kim also withdrew with a back injury after completing 12 holes on Saturday.
