GARDENS OF PALM BEACH, FLORIDA — Sepp Straka became the first Austrian to win on the PGA Tour when he won the Honda Classic at PGA National Resort on Sunday after rallying from a five-shot deficit.
Straka birdied three of the final five holes, missing his 46-foot eagle putt on the 18th green by inches after reaching the par-5 final hole in two during a downpour. On the Champion Course, he carded a final-round 4-under 66 to beat 2019 British Open champion Shane Lowry by a stroke at 10-under 270.
“It’s fantastic,” Straka exclaimed. “I didn’t know where I stood.” I knew there was a lot that could go wrong on the back nine. I tried to keep my head down and hit excellent shots despite the fact that much of it was out of my control. I knew I had a chance because there was just one other competitor ahead of me. ‘Strange things happen out here,’ says the narrator.
It was an unexpected turn of events for the 28-year-old Straka, who began the week ranked 176th in the world and finished in a four-way tie for second place in the final round. His greatest achievements in golf before to Sunday were finishing third in the 2019 Barbasol Championship, a PGA Tour opposite-field event, and leading after the first round of the 2020 Summer Olympics (where he ended T10).
He’s now in the Masters, has a PGA Tour exemption until 2024, and has berths in the PGA Championship, Sentry Tournament of Champions, and invitational events.
“Just to be coming to Augusta is a lifelong goal of mine,” said Straka, who played at the University of Georgia after his family emigrated from Austria to the United States when he was 14. “It’s still strange,” says the narrator. I’m sure it will eventually sink in. What this all means is mind-boggling. Tonight I’ll have to do some research.”
After blowing a huge lead with a 4-over 74, Daniel Berger may undertake some soul-searching. As he attempted to win his local Honda Classic, the Jupiter native entered the final round with a five-shot lead, tying the greatest 54-hole advantage in the tournament’s 49-year history.
After he went 4-over on the opening six holes and Lowry (67) produced a few of birdies, he lost his lead. Berger responded with a bunker shot and a chip, but those were his only birdies of the round.
Berger was last in the field in putting on Sunday and shot 4-over on his final three par-5s, finishing fourth, one stroke behind first-round leader Kurt Kitayama (68).
Berger, who is now 1-of-4 in converting 54-hole leads, stated, “I didn’t play well, so I didn’t win the golf tournament.” “I just didn’t hit the shots I needed to shoot when I needed to hit them.”
“It was just a bad round.” It could occur at any time. I’m not going to go into detail about it. “I’m quite sure I didn’t make a single putt today.”
Lowry was also a disappointment at the Honda Classic. After winning the 2019 British Open at Royal Portrush, everyone expected the Irishman to have a hangover.
Who’d have guessed it’d last 952 days (and counting)?
Lowry was 3-under through 11 holes to grab a one-shot lead, ending a 0-for-61 losing drought. He finished with seven pars, however, unable to match Straka’s last push. Lowry was forced to lay up on the 18th hole, and his 40-footer came up short.
Lowry, who also lives in Jupiter, stated, “I felt I played good enough golf to win the tournament.” “The severe weather arrived just as we were hitting our tee shot on 18, and it was the worst break I’ve had in a long time.”
“It’s a difficult one to swallow. I feel like I played some of my greatest golf of my whole career this week, on a very difficult golf course.”
Straka was the rightful winner. On the tough Champion Course, he was the top ball-striker, finishing first in strokes gained off the tee and fourth in average approach.
And he was clutch, tying for the lead with a 14-foot birdie putt on the 16th hole, then bombing a 334-yard drive on the 18th hole, leaving him 199 yards.
“It was a fantastic 7-iron distance until it started raining, so my caddie (John Davenport) convinced me to hit a 6-iron,” Straka explained. “It was a stroke of luck that I was able to get out on my drive before the rain arrived.” We didn’t want to strike (the second shot), but we didn’t have an option because there was no lightning.”
Straka was awarded the trophy as well as a piece of history. And the opportunity to compete in a prestigious tournament at his old mater.
