Sepp Straka was buoyed by a message from Rory McIlroy after securing his fourth PGA Tour win on Sunday.
The Austrian ousted Ryder Cup team-mate Shane Lowry from the top of the leaderboard at the Truist Championship.
Straka and Lowry had been tied for the lead heading into what proved to be a dramatic final day in Pennsylvania.
A level par 70 from the Irish golfer opened the door for Straka to finish two shots clear on 16-under-par.
Meanwhile, Lowry had to settle for tied second with Justin Thomas after a disappointing end to his round.
The 2019 Open champion carded two bogeys on the final three holes to surrender the lead to Straka.
Lowry later refused to speak to the media after his round as he turned his attention to this week’s PGA Championship.
Meanwhile, Straka revealed the message he received from 2024 winner Rory McIlroy.
Speaking during his press conference, he explained: “He told me at least this win counts for Ryder Cup points.
“Yeah, really, really happy for that. I’ve been kind of behind in the points because of that win at Amex not counting.
“I knew that, if I just kept playing good golf, I would have a chance to be there. I’m sure this will probably help me out with the rankings a lot.
“So very grateful, and hopefully I can keep the good play going and keep getting some more points.”
Straka’s win sees him move up to fifth in the Team Europe Ryder Cup rankings ahead of the 45th edition of the event in September.
In doing so, he has knocked Ludvig Aberg out of the six automatic spots on Luke Donald’s team.
As for McIlroy, he finished seventh on his return as defending champion to the Truist Championship.
His victory 12 months ago had been his fourth at Quail Hollow, which will host the PGA Championship from Thursday.
The Philadelphia Cricket Club stepped up as this year’s host whilst Quail Hollow is prepared for the second Major championship of 2025.
Reflecting on his performance, McIlroy said: “I think I’m in a good place. I didn’t feel like I played all that well this week, I still finished seventh. Even what I feel is my bad golf, I’m still there or thereabouts.
“A couple little improvements and little tweaks, especially going to a place I love like Quail Hollow, and I feel like I’m in a really good spot.”
The Masters champion will be hoping to secure his sixth Major in Charlotte after completing the career Grand Slam.
It would also be his third PGA Championship after previous triumphs in 2012 and 2014.
