DStv Channel 403 Monday, 17 February 2025

Austrian Straka seizes PGA Pebble Beach lead

SAN FRANCISCO - Austria's Sepp Straka, who won his third PGA Tour title just two weeks ago, fired a seven-under-par 65 to grab the lead after Friday's second round of the Pebble Beach Pro-Am.

Straka, who captured the American Express crown at Palm Springs earlier in January, stood on 14-under 130 after 36 holes, three ahead of Australia's Cam Davis and US 18-hole leader Russell Henley.

The 31-year-old from Vienna fashioned a 65 Thursday at Spyglass Hill and another Friday at windy Pebble Beach in the event, which uses a multi-course format just as the American Express, where he beat two-time major winner Justin Thomas by two strokes.

"Hitting the ball really well early in the round and then missed a few putts, but made some really nice putts, too," Straka said. "It was just all around a pretty solid day."

Straka matched the low round at Pebble Beach thanks to eight birdies against a lone bogey despite blustery conditions.

"Went from zero to about 20 mph pretty quickly," he said. "Took a few holes for me to adjust to it."

Straka said his strong back-to-back efforts isn't really a run, especially when top-ranked Scottie Scheffler won nine times last year.

"Last six rounds have been pretty nice," Straka said. "No, I would not classify that as a run. I think Scottie Scheffler's on a run."

Adjusting to a stronger putting grip with his hands higher on the putter has been a key to his recent success, Straka said.

"I think that has definitely made a huge difference," he said.

The Austrian reeled off three birdies in a row starting with a tap-in at the par-5 second hole followed by putts of 15 feet at three and eight feet at the fourth.

He reached the green in two again to birdie the par-5 sixth and rolled in a 22-foot birdie putt at nine to make the turn at 12-under.

Straka sank 12-foot birdie putts at 11 and the par-5 14th, then missed a four-foot par putt to bogey 16 but answered by reaching the green in two at the par-5 18th and closing out his round with a four-foot birdie putt.

Davis sank a 46-foot eagle chip on the first hole at Spyglass Hill on his way to a 68 but a closing bogey cost him solo second.

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