Sepp Straka emerged victorious at The American Express, securing his third career PGA Tour win with a final score of 25-under 263, finishing two shots ahead of Justin Thomas. The Austrian golfer, who previously made history as the first Austrian to win on the tour three years ago, maintained a comfortable lead throughout the tournament held at the Coachella Valley.
Straka, aged 31, displayed nerves of steel as he navigated the final round at the PGA West's Stadium Course. Despite not recording a bogey until the final three holes, his competitors failed to mount a significant challenge to threaten his lead.
Justin Thomas finished in second place at 23 under, followed by Justin Lower and Jason Day in third. Straka's exceptional performance was highlighted by his consistent ball-striking and proficient putting, with the golfer coming close to completing 72 bogey-free holes until a minor slip-up on the 16th hole.
Thomas, a two-time PGA Championship winner, made a valiant effort to close the gap on Straka during the final round but fell short on the back nine. Meanwhile, former PGA Championship winner Jason Day struggled to mount a challenge from the final group, ultimately finishing in third place.
Despite facing pressure on the challenging course, Straka maintained his aggressive approach and composure, securing a well-deserved victory. The tournament also saw defending champion Nick Dunlap finishing in a tie for 34th place, while Sony Open champion Nick Taylor continued his strong start to the season with a 12th place finish.
