Match Analysis
Despite falling short in the final round, Sepp Straka’s performance at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am further cemented the Austrian’s position as one of golf’s elite players.
Fresh off winning The American Express, the 31-year-old headed into the final round with a share of the lead. Eventual winner Rory McIlroy was in scintillating form, however.
McIlroy’s 66 (six under) saw him cruise to a two-shot victory in his first PGA Tour start of 2025. Straka struggled to a 72 (level par) and finished five shots off the pace.
McIlroy was in no mood to offer a glimmer of hope to his nearest challengers, and an eagle at the daunting par-five 14th shut the door on Straka, Justin Rose, Shane Lowry, and Lucas Glover.
AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am: What Sepp Straka asked Rory McIlroy
Speaking during his post-round media duties, Straka was asked about his playing partner’s performance.
“He turned it on on the back nine; that’s pretty incredible. Yeah, I asked him how many that was for him, 27, that’s pretty unbelievable,” Straka said.
“Yeah, I think he’s the most impressive player I’ve ever played with. He just strikes it unbelievably well, hits it far but also so straight for how far he hits it. That 14th hole kind of sums it up; just a bomb drive down there. We both hit seven there, his was seven-iron, mine was a seven-wood. Yeah, just towering 7-iron right in the middle of the green and a putt, so it’s really impressive.”
What went wrong for Sepp Straka at AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am
Before the final round, Straka admitted he was struggling through illness, and the Austrian’s best golf deserted him on Sunday.
“Yeah. I mean, nervous as usual. But yeah, just really didn’t have my stuff today, especially with the irons,” Straka added.
“I mean, I don’t really know the last time I hit my irons that bad. Usually, it’s kind of a strength of my game. Accuracy was pretty off. Didn’t really – I tried all day to kind of fix it and get a hold of it but never really could.”
Sepp Straka leads the 2025 FedEx Cup standings
Despite falling short at Pebble Beach, Straka currently leads the 2025 FedEx Cup standings and is projected to move up to 798.8 points.
After his win on the Monterey Peninsula, McIlroy will land 700 points and rise to third in the standings. Japanese star Hideki Matsuyama is second on 782.7.
Irishman Lowry has jumped into the top ten of the FedEx Cup standings after his second-place finish at Pebble.
Scottie Scheffler, who dominated the standings last season, is currently outside the top 30.
