PGA TOUR
The Honda Classic
Straka Creates History at The Honda Classic
Sepp Straka became the first Austrian to win on the PGA Tour after claiming The Honda Classic by one shot at PGA National Champion Course. The long-hitting 28-year-old earned his maiden PGA Tour title in his 95th start. Straka carded a final round 4-under 66, which included three birdies over the closing five holes to overcome Ireland’s Shane Lowry.
The 50th The Honda Classic and the opening event of a four-week Florida swing provided plenty of Sunday drama. America’s Daniel Berger started the day with a five-shot lead over four players—Straka, Lowry, Kurt Kitiyama and Chris Kirk. It was the event’s equal largest 54-hole lead.
Berger’s tilt at his fifth PGA Tour win went awry early when he lost four shots through the opening six holes. His five-shot lead had evaporated by the 5th hole. And, by the 6th hole he found himself one-shot back from 2019 Open champion Lowry. Berger never really recovered. His only two birdies on the final day came from greenside hole-outs at the 7th and 14th holes. The 2021 Ryder Cup player signed for a disappointing 4-over 74 to finish at 7-under and in solo fourth place.
Kitiyama, a PGA Tour rookie, posted a final round 2-under 68 to get to 8-under and finish outright third. The 29-year-old American became the fastest player to score two wins in European Tour history when he won the 2019 Oman Open in only his 11th career appearance. Kitiyama led after 18 holes. He carded a sensational 6-under 64 opening round after entering the event with five missed cuts in a row.
Lowry was searching for his first win in 61 starts worldwide since his emotional major victory at Royal Portrush. If he won this week, he would have become the 13th Open champion to win The Honda Classic. The 34-year-old fired a bogey-free 3-under 67 final round to reach 9-under and take runner up. Lowry held a narrow one-shot lead though much of the back nine until Straka overcame his tally with late birdies. In driving rain, Lowry was unable to produce a birdie at the 72nd hole to force a playoff.
Straka joined Luke List (Farmers Insurance Open) as the only players to come from five shots back entering the final round to win this season on the PGA Tour. The world No. 176 got off to a poor start opening the final round with a bogey. He then rebounded with back-to-back birdies at the 2nd and 3rd holes. Straka ended his front nine with a bogey, birdie combination to make the turn in 1-under. He then produced near flawless golf coming home with three unanswered birdies, which included joining the lead with Lowry after pouring in a 19-foot birdie putt at the 16th hole. Straka moved into the lead after closing with a two-putt birdie at the final round.
Defending champion Matt Jones was hoping to join Jack Nicklaus (1977-78) as the only back-to-back winners of The Honda Classic. However, the 41-year-old didn’t qualify for the weekend after opening with rounds of 73 and 74.
Brett Drewitt was the only Australian in the field to make the cut. The 31-year-old from New South Wales, finished in a tie for 55th at 5-over.
The PGA Tour will continue its Florida-swing circuit for next week’s Arnold Palmer Invitational staged at Bay Hill Club & Lodge. America’s Bryson DeChambeau is the defending champion.
Final Scores
Honda Classic
1. Sepp Straka -10
2. Shane Lowry -9
3. Kurt Kitiyama -8
4. Daniel Berger -7
T5. Gary Woodland -4
T5. Alex Noren -4
T7. Matthias Schwab -3
T7. Chris Kirk -3
Australians
T55. Brett Drewitt +5
MC. Lucas Herbert
MC. Matt Jones
Photo credit: Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images
