Sepp Straka started the day two shots off the lead and carded a 4-under 66 after firing five birdies and a bogey to take a share of the three-shot lead at 14-under at the Truist Championship. He leads the field in Strokes Gained: Putting (7.384) through three rounds.
The Austrian holds the 54-hole lead/co-lead on the PGA Tour for the third time, all coming this season. He is 1-for-2 in converting to victory having won The American Express and finished T7 at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am.
“It’s fun to see three different ways [of playing] in our first three days playing here. Yesterday, the ball wasn’t rolling a whole lot because of the rain, and then today the ball is rolling out a lot off the tee,” said Straka.
“Having to try to pick clubs was a lot tougher today than yesterday. It’s been fun on the tee box trying to strategize on a new golf hole every day and trying to figure out the best way to play it.
“11’s played very different. I’ve gone from hitting a 7-wood in to hitting 80-some yards today. I think that one has varied the most.”
Shane Lowry made five birdies and two bogeys for a 67 and a share of the lead.
He and Straka have both made three bogeys overall, the fewest of any player throughout the tournament. Lowry has shot a career-high 18 birdies through 54 holes (previous: 16/2025 AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am).
This is the Irishman’s fifth career 54-hole lead/co-lead on Tour and his first since the 2024 Arnold Palmer Invitational. He is 1-for-3 in converting to victory (T2/2016 U.S. Open, Won/2019 Open Championship, T4/2024 Cognizant Classic in The Palm Beaches, 3rd/2024 Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by Mastercard).
Lowry has won three times on Tour, his last coming at the 2024 Zurich Classic of New Orleans with Rory McIlroy.
“I think you need to be persistent. You need to keep putting yourself there, and eventually it will happen. You look at Rory at The Masters a few weeks ago,” said Lowry.
“Keep knocking on the door, and eventually you’ll go through it. I feel like I’ve done a good job of it this season, last season. It does get frustrating sometimes, but yeah, I’m in the final group tomorrow.
“I’ve played pretty good golf this year. I’m pretty happy with the way I’m playing this week, and I’m going to go out and give my best. If it’s good tomorrow, that will be great.”
Tied in third place at 11-under, RBC Heritage champion Justin Thomas of the United States made a pair of bogeys and carded a 66 in search of his second win in as many starts on Tour for the first time since 2017 (The Sentry, Sony Open in Hawaii).
Compatriot and 36-hole leader Keith Mitchell posted a 71 and moved down into third place.
Japan’s Hideki Matsuyama carded a 63, the low round of the day, and lies in fifth place at 10-under.
