Monday, May 12th, 2025 Balls & Bogeys Golf News Edition
Sepp Straka’s victory at the Truist Championship vaults him into a different stratosphere
– by Dave Shedloski / Golf Digest
Per Dave: “It’s time to start taking this Sepp Straka character a lot more seriously…”
B&B POV: Sepp Straka, the unassuming, gentle giant, Ryder Cup vet, and now four-time winner on THE PGA TOUR, bested Shane Lowry in the final round Sunday to win the Truist at the Philadelphia Cricket Club. Sepp is easily the most unrecognizable golf superstar in the world. He is now ranked 9th in the OWGR and 2nd in FedEx points. With his win yesterday, he 99% locked up another Ryder Cup spot this fall. Sepp Straka. Star.
2025 PGA Championship odds: Scottie Scheffler edges Rory McIlroy as favorite
– by Kevin Cunningham / GOLF
Per Kevin: “The 2025 PGA Championship, the second major of the year, arrives this week at Quail Hollow, and the world’s best players are among the betting favorites to win. Here is everything you need to know about the PGA Championship odds and notable favorites to start the week…”
B&B POV: What’s more likely to happen? Does Scottie or Rory win the PGA, or does PGA Teaching Professional Michael Block run it back and make the cut? Ooh. Scottie and Rory are clear favorites to win, but we aren’t ready to bet against a Block Party breaking out at Quail Hollow.
We’re going with JT to win his 3rd Wanamaker Trophy and Blockie to run it all the way back, deep into the weekend.
What’s in the Bag (WITB): Sepp Straka, 2025 Edition
– by Thomas Hamden / Balls & Bogeys
Per Thomas: Srixon and Cleveland send endorsement checks to Truist victor Sepp Straka annually. Those brands are managed by parent company Dunlap, which originated in the UK and Ireland, but is now owned and operated by Japan-based Sumitomo Rubber Industries. Srixon, Cleveland, Dunlop, and Sumitomo must have been giddy this weekend watching Straka duel with fellow Srixon/Cleveland pitchman Shane Lowry.
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The 2025 Truist Championship Payouts: Winners & Losers
– by Thomas Hamden / Balls & Bogeys
Per Thomas: Like his barber, it’s probably time we all started taking Sepp Straka a lot more seriously.
Sure, no one’s exactly overlooking a guy ranked 9th in the world—but Straka just pushed his game to a new level with a two-shot win at the $20 million Truist Championship in Flourtown, Pa. On Sunday, he closed with a steady two-under 68 at the historic Philadelphia Cricket Club, outlasting his Ryder Cup teammate Shane Lowry to snag his second win of the season. That puts him in some pretty elite company—only he and Rory McIlroy have multiple PGA Tour wins this year.
Born in Austria but raised in Georgia, Straka finished the week at 16-under 264, earning a cool $3.6 million and taking down one of the strongest fields of the year in this sixth signature event….
Jeeno Thitikul laps top-ranked Nelly Korda in Mizuho Americas victory at Liberty National
– by Beth Ann Nichols / Golfweek
Per Beth: “The final round of the Mizuho Americas Open was shaped up to be a shootout between the top two players in the world…”
B&B POV: World #2 Jeeno Thitikul may look up to Sports Illustrated swimsuit model and World #1 Nelly Korda. But she didn’t back down yesterday while teeing it up with Korda in the final group of the Mizuho Americas Open. The diminutive 22-year-old Thai superstar lifted the winner’s trophy on 18 after finishing 1st. She now has five victories on the LPGA Tour and isn’t slowing down anytime soon.
Will #2 become #1 by EOY? We will keep an eye on the trend, but aren’t ready yet to bet against Korda.
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