The 2025 Truist Championship is heating up as the third round unfolds at the Philadelphia Cricket Club. With a staggering $20 million purse on the line, including a whopping $3.6 million for the winner, the stakes couldn't be higher for the competitors. Leading the charge is Keith Mitchell, who heads into the weekend with a narrow one-stroke lead after a solid performance on Friday.
Mitchell, who has shown resilience in challenging conditions, managed to shoot a three-under 67 during the second round, bringing his total to 12 under par. "They really don’t give any money or points out on Thursday," Mitchell remarked, reflecting on the importance of maintaining focus throughout the tournament. "It puts you in a good position, but it doesn’t guarantee you anything. So, I’ve got to keep my head down and keep moving." This marks his third time holding a lead or co-lead after 36 holes on the PGA Tour, a scenario he has navigated successfully before, winning the 2018 Cognizant Classic in The Palm Beaches.
Chasing Mitchell is Shane Lowry, who is eager to claim his first individual PGA Tour title since his victory at the 2019 Open Championship. Lowry finished the second round with a remarkable five-under score, positioning himself just one shot behind Mitchell. "Everyone says that to me every day when it rains," Lowry said, addressing the challenging weather conditions. "I think I’m able to handle them probably better than a few people, but I don’t particularly like or enjoy going out and playing in these conditions, but yeah, I handle them well." Lowry is looking for his fourth win on the PGA Tour, and with the leaderboard tightening, he’s in a prime position to make a move.
In third place is Sepp Straka, who has been consistent throughout the tournament, finishing the second round with a total score of 130, or 10 under par. Straka expressed his enjoyment of the game despite the adverse conditions, stating, "Yeah, it was fun. Definitely don’t want to play in the rain all the time, but every now and again, it’s fun." He is also vying for his fourth top-10 finish this season.
Rory McIlroy, the current FedEx Cup leader and a recent Masters champion, is tied for fourth place with a two-day total of seven under par. McIlroy, who started the tournament strong, faced some challenges on Friday, admitting, "I felt like today was another sort of scrappy one. I made what I feel are some uncharacteristic mistakes compared to how I’ve played the majority of the year." With other notable competitors like Justin Thomas, Collin Morikawa, Akshay Bhatia, Si Woo Kim, and Patrick Cantlay also tied with McIlroy, the competition is fierce.
As we move into the third round on Saturday, May 10, 2025, the weather is expected to improve significantly, with sunny skies and temperatures rising from the 50s to the 70s. However, players will still have to contend with wind gusts reaching up to 20 mph. Tee times for the third round begin at 8:10 a.m. ET, with the first groups hitting the course at the Philadelphia Cricket Club, known for its challenging 7,119-yard, par 70 layout.
Golf Channel will provide coverage from 1-3 p.m. ET, followed by CBS from 3-6:30 p.m. ET, ensuring fans don’t miss any of the action. Early streaming coverage will be available via PGA Tour Live on ESPN+, starting at 8 a.m. ET, which will include featured groups and exclusive early coverage of the day’s play.
As the tournament progresses, all eyes will be on Mitchell, Lowry, and the rest of the field as they battle not only for the championship but also for a significant share of the purse. With the final 36 holes remaining, every stroke counts, and the excitement is palpable as these elite golfers navigate the challenges ahead.
With the leaderboard so tightly packed, the dynamics of the tournament can shift rapidly. Each player will need to find their rhythm and strategy to handle the pressures of the course and the competition. As we head into the weekend, fans are in for a treat as the world’s best golfers vie for glory at the 2025 Truist Championship.
