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Straka delighted having 'hung in there' to win Truist Championship after Lowry battle

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Sepp Straka was able to capitalise after Ryder Cup team-mate Shane Lowry blew his chance to win the Truist Championship with two late bogeys.

The pair shared the lead on 14-under going into the final round of the tournament, and it was Straka who emerged victorious after shooting 68 to go two-under. Lowry, meanwhile, went for a level par with 70, leaving him tied for second with Justin Thomas.

"I hit a lot of really good shots and made a lot of mistakes. I hung in there," said Straka, quoted by BBC Sport.

"I had a two-shot lead [after the ninth hole] and made two bogeys on the next two holes to lose it, but I kept the same attitude and mentality throughout the round."

Arguably, the most important moment of the final round came on the 16th hole, with both Straka and Lowry tied on 16 under.

"It [winning] is huge, the biggest win of my career. Yeah, just so grateful for the process and the whole team that kind of makes me play as well as I do," Straka added.

"My coaches weren't here this week, but they're there almost every week. Even this week, when they weren't here, there's always a back and forth, and they're always working on my game to help me succeed. It's great to see their hard work pay off."

Lowry missed a five-foot putt and bogeyed, while Straka sunk a par to go one ahead with two holes remaining. Lowry later three-putted the 18th to finish two shots adrift of the lead, while Straka kept hold of top spot.

"It was a good day. Obviously, I gave myself a chance. Starting three back to have a putt on 15 to tie for the lead, I definitely would have taken that at the start of the day," said Straka, quoted by Sky Sports.

"I'm a little disappointed in myself on 16 for pushing it too much and trying to attack there. I had two really, really good players that were playing really well behind us, to where I felt like I needed to. I fought hard, played well, and gave myself a chance, which is what I wanted."

Defending champion and four-time winner of the tournament, Rory McIlroy, meanwhile, finished T7 on 10 under.

"I thought on the greens was good even though I didn't hole a lot of putts [on Sunday]," he said. "My approach play got a little better as the week went on. I just need to hit a few more fairways.

"I feel with next week and the tee shots I have to hit there, it'll set up better for me.

"I'm looking forward to getting to Quail Hollow and seeing some more familiar visuals."