FLOURTOWN, Pa. — As the PGA Tour season progresses, Sepp Straka is eyeing the chance to become a multiple-event winner, while Shane Lowry aims for his first solo victory since 2019. Saturday’s performance at The Philadelphia Cricket Club’s Wissahickon Course left both players sharing the lead, setting the stage for an exciting final round of the Truist Championship.
Straka and Lowry have contrasting approaches as they head into the decisive round. Straka, who has already tasted victory this season at The American Express, is bracing for the pressure that comes with being in the final pairing. Meanwhile, Lowry, despite a long spell without a win, remains relaxed and hopes to finally cross the finish line.
“You can only focus on hitting your targets, making good swings, and trying not to be overtaken by nerves,” commented Straka. A win on Sunday would place him alongside Rory McIlroy as a three-time tour winner. Lowry, still waiting for an individual triumph since the 2019 British Open, holds steady belief in his prospects. “Persistence is key; I’m consistently putting myself in a position to win. If I can deliver my best tomorrow, it will be gratifying,” shared Lowry.
Straka’s round was marked by resilience as he overcame an early bogey with five birdies, including crucial ones in the final stretch. He also made a vital par putt under pressure. Lowry, demonstrating confidence, matched Straka’s birdie on the challenging 17th, securing his position as a co-leader. Sunday’s final round will witness Lowry joined by Straka in an intense competition.
Keith Mitchell, who was ahead after the first two rounds, found difficulty during the third round, finishing one over-par. Joining him on the leaderboard at 11-under were Justin Thomas, who climbed with a well-fought 67 despite minor setbacks, and Hideki Matsuyama, who delivered the day’s best score of 63. McIlroy, defending his title, faced challenges on his back nine, ending at 8-under tied with players like Nick Taylor and Sam Burns.
Conditions at the course added another layer of complexity. Shifting wind patterns and increased green speeds made play significantly more challenging. Yet, for Lowry, it showcased the club’s resilience. “The conditions indeed played a significant role today. It was a tough task with those winds, particularly for putting,” noted Lowry. Straka concurred, highlighting the strategic intricacies involved in tackling varying course conditions.
On the leaderboard, Straka found himself well-positioned thanks to consistent performance, starting well behind but catching up with a bogey-free initial nine holes. Lowry, paired with Mitchell, kept pace through the early holes before gaining a brief lead, though Straka eventually overtook him with a late surge. Thomas, fresh from success at the RBC Heritage, is also within striking distance after a dynamic front-nine finish.
Mitchell, having led early rounds, battled through errors on multiple holes but managed to stabilize his game towards the end. McIlroy faced difficulties, particularly with accuracy, resulting in a concluding round well off the leaders’ score.
The Philadelphia Cricket Club is set to make PGA Tour history in the final round thanks to the unique setup of its 14th hole. Playing at just 95 yards, this par-3 will be the shortest of its kind on tour outside of major tournaments, harking back to the club’s storied roots dating to 1895.
Unfortunately, some players were unable to see the tournament through. Justin Rose withdrew due to illness while struggling at the bottom of the pack, and Michael Kim exited mid-round because of a back injury.