Straka: "I am Austria's first PGA champ"..."Did you see the 5-stroke comeback?"

Honda Classic Final Day 4-Under Par Daily Best "Thrilling Comeback Victory," Lauri 2nd, Berger 4th, Lee Kyung-hoon Tied 48th

Jeb Straka is holding the trophy and posing for a commemorative photo immediately after winning the Honda Classic. Palm Beach Gardens, USA = Getty Images / Multivitz
Photo by Getty Images / Multivitz

[Asia Economy Kim Hyun-jun, Golf Specialist Reporter] "Austria's first PGA champion."

World No. 176 Sepp Straka (Austria) achieved a thrilling come-from-behind victory. On the 28th (Korean time) at the PGA National Golf Club in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, USA (par 70, 7,125 yards), he led the final day of the PGA Tour Honda Classic (total prize money $8 million) with a daily best of 4-under par and ultimately secured a one-stroke victory (10-under par 270). This marks his first win in 95 events over 4 years since he started playing on the PGA Tour in the 2018/2019 season, with a winner's prize of a whopping $1.44 million (?1.735 billion).

Straka started tied for second, 5 strokes behind, and combined 6 birdies and 2 bogeys. Although a '3-putt bogey' on the 1st hole (par 4) was disappointing, he gained momentum with consecutive birdies on the 2nd and 3rd holes. He held steady with pars on the early critical holes 5 to 7, known as the 'Grizzly Den.' A bogey on the 8th hole (par 4) was quickly recovered with a birdie on the 9th hole (par 4). His strong finish stood out, making three 'stepping-stone birdies' on holes 14, 16, and 18.

Jeb Straka (left) is sharing a moment of joy with his caddie after making a birdie on the 18th hole of the final day at the Honda Classic. Palm Beach Gardens, USA = Getty Images / Multivitz

At the center of the 'Bear Trap,' the 16th hole (par 4), he made a 5.5-meter birdie putt from off the green to tie with Shane Lowry (Ireland), and on the final 18th hole (par 5), amid heavy rain, he made a '2-on 2-putt' winning birdie. Lowry, playing in the group behind, made par on the 18th hole, nullifying the playoff. It is remarkable that Straka executed an 83.33% greens-in-regulation rate with pinpoint iron shots on this notoriously difficult course. He exclaimed it was an "unbelievable moment."

Lowry finished second (9-under par 271), Kurt Kitayama third (8-under par 272). Third-round leader Daniel Berger fell to fourth place (7-under par 273) after a poor 4-over par round. With an average of 2.08 putts per hole and difficulties on the greens, he recorded 2 birdies, 4 bogeys, and a critical double bogey on the 3rd hole (par 5). Sponsor exemption Andrew Kozan (both USA) tied for 30th (2-over par 282), and Korea's Lee Kyung-hoon (31) finished tied for 48th (4-over par 284).

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.