It’s been a long road for Sepp Straka since his last PGA Tour win at the 2023 John Deere Classic. After a quiet 2024 season with no victories, Straka entered the 2025 American Express with one goal in mind, to end his winless drought. And that’s exactly what he did, shooting a 2-under-par 70 on Sunday to take home the much-awaited and well-deserved trophy.  But what made this win even more meaningful was not the title or the whopping $1,584,000 prize money.

It was the joy of sharing the victory with his wife, Paige, and their baby, Leo. Though Paige and Leo couldn’t attend the tournament in person, they were undoubtedly the first thing Straka thought of after clinching that trophy. Thanks to technology, he was able to FaceTime them right away.

When the interviewer asked about their reaction, Straka responded, “Yeah, a bunch of goo goo, ga ga from Leo, which was great.” And well, that’s how a one-year-old would speak, right? Or in Straka’s case, congratulate him. “He got to watch today, so that’s special. Yeah, just really excited to get back home and celebrate with them, first win as a dad, so this one’s going to be really special,” he added. Leo came into Straka’s life back in December 2023.

For a golfer who went 569 days without a win, the wait wasn’t easy. But winning this title wasn’t just about getting back to the top of his game—it was about proving himself as a father, a husband, and a competitor. Straka’s first win as a dad means more than any trophy. The competitive drive is always there, but now, it’s mixed with the pride of being a father.

But wait, there’s another father on the Tour who was waiting for the same moment and once again missed it by just one shot.

Justin Thomas yet again fails to break his winless streak

Just like Straka, Justin Thomas has also been waiting for that moment when he can finally hold up a trophy again. But since his last win in May 2022, that feeling has seemed more and more like a distant memory. At the 2025 American Express, he finished with an impressive -23, shooting a 6-under-par final round. Yes, that is impressive, but just not enough.

While winning the tournament was indeed crucial for him, making his daughter Molly, whom he welcomed in November ’24, proud was just as important to him. Before the event started, Thomas talked about how much he was looking forward to having one of those iconic moments we all see on TV, once he clinches that trophy.

“I think you watch it all the, or at least growing up all the time on TV of guys winning tournaments and greeting their family and their little ones on 18 Green. And, you know, I’m pretty excited for that opportunity one day and hopefully sooner rather than later,” he said.

But for now, that moment will have to wait just a little longer. Still, when it does come, you can bet it’ll feel like a double victory, both professional and personal.