The 2025 Truist Championship playoff was a story that ended in two different ways for two golfers.. While Sepp Straka clinched what he describes as the “biggest win of my career”, his opponent, Shane Lowry, succumbed to a disappointing finish, ultimately losing out to Straka’s clutch performance. Straka seized the lead with a par on the 16th hole and shot a 2-under 68, thanks to his exceptional putting as Lowry’s chances slipped away after missing a green at 16 and later missing a potential tying birdie putt at 17, before finishing with a three-putt bogey. But even after this sore loss, Lowry still has all the support he needs to bounce back in the upcoming major this week.

CBS reporter Amanda Balionis was present at the Philadelphia Cricket Club covering the event, and she shared her insights on the thrilling conclusion. “Shoutout to @shanelowrygolf for his hard-fought week,” she said, acknowledging Lowry’s determination. “This guy has been knocking at the door all season. He told us yesterday how hard it is to win out here, and all he can do is keep knocking until that door opens…that wasn’t this week, but it’s hard to imagine the payoff is far away.”

Well, Lowry has indeed been talking about ‘knocking’ on doors of success, and it seems he’s been taking notes from the masters – or rather, Rory McIlroy. “You need to keep putting yourself there, and eventually it will happen,” Lowry remarked, echoing the sentiment that persistence is key in golf. “Keep knocking on the door, and eventually you’ll go through it,” he added, though one can’t help but wonder if he’s getting a bit tired of all that knocking, especially after his Zurich Classic heartbreak, where he failed to defend his title with McIlory.

Amanda also praised Sepp Straka’s remarkable win, highlighting his emotional message to his mom and wife. “Winning on the PGA TOUR is hard, and I loved @seppstraka’s honesty around handling the nerves that made him lose feeling in his arms and legs all day,” she said. Straka’s vulnerability and gratitude were palpable, reminding everyone of what it takes to succeed at this level.

Well, before he was thrilled with his second win of the 2025 season, Straka was nervous. Straka acknowledged that stress is inevitable when chasing a win, saying “You’re going to have them (stress). You’re definitely going to have them,” and emphasized the importance of focusing on what he can control – targeting good swings and making solid contact, which is something he’s going to need for the big game later this year.

Rory McIlroy’s Ryder Cup message to Sepp Straka

Rory McIlroy gave Sepp Straka a reality check after his win at the Truist Championship, reminding him that it counted toward valuable Ryder Cup points. Straka revealed that McIlroy congratulated him on his victory, but also made sure to mention the importance of those points. “He told me at least this win counts for Ryder Cup points,” Straka said, adding that he was “really, really happy” about that. Two wins in one season, that too in two prominent events, will do him a big favor in the world rankings, especially after relying on a captain’s pick to make the team last time.

Straka’s win should propel him into the world’s top 10, and he knows that consistency is key to staying there. “I would say consistency, consistency of working at it regardless of where I was in my game,” he said, reflecting on his journey. Straka emphasized the importance of continuous improvement, noting that even when he wasn’t the best in his class, he kept working hard to elevate his game. As he looks ahead to the PGA Championship at Quail Hollow, Straka’s sights are set on claiming his first major title. “I just kept trying to improve my golf game and hoped that at the end of it, it would be good enough to play out here,” he said, highlighting his relentless drive. With a strong finish at Quail Hollow, Straka could make a significant statement in the golf world.