BLAINE (Minn.) — Sepp Straka has seen his golf career take a new direction in the last 18 months.
Straka is playing his best golf in his fifth season on the PGA Tour. He enters the 3M Open, at TPC Twin City, with arguably his best performance of his career. Straka won the John Deere Classic in early October before finishing second in the Open Championship last week at Royal Liverpool. This was his best major finish.
The FedEx Cup Playoffs are just around the corner, and his goal is to make the European Ryder Cup Team.
Straka stated, “I probably set that goal a year and a half ago.” Growing up, I never dreamed of playing golf on the PGA Tour. After achieving certain goals, I had to change my goals.
“You think about it definitely. You can’t let it influence your game. I’ve thought about it for quite some time. You have to continue playing good golf, and you will either get selected or qualify.
Sepp Straka has just won the John Deere Classic, and finished runner-up at The Open. A possibly Ryder Cup spot is also on the line pic.twitter.com/je05KdpEmJ
Cameron Jourdan July 26 2023
Straka, a 30-year-old Austrian, represented his nation at the 2020 Olympic Games held in Tokyo. But he’s never come this close to earning an invitation to the Ryder Cup. Until now.
A strong finish will almost guarantee his place on the team as one of six captain’s choices. He’s currently not among the six automatic qualifiers, but a strong season could help him get in.
He said, “My goal is just to play good golf until then and hopefully make this team.”
Straka would become the second Austrian golfer to be selected for a European Ryder Cup Team, after Bernd Wiesberger, in 2021.
Straka said, “After he had played in it, he told me it was the best thing ever.” It’s interesting to hear these stories. It motivates you to work harder to be selected.
Straka will be making his 25th appearance of the season at the 3M Open on Thursday. He has one win, 2 runner-up finishes and 5 top-10 finishes. He is now ranked No. His best ever ranking is No.
Straka told me that he had a small chat with European Captain Luke Donald last week. Donald texted Straka after his runner-up result to congratulate and keep in touch.
Straka stated, “Luke is a wonderful guy, and I would love to be able to play for him. But, you’ll have to play good golf to make it happen.” ”
It’s safe to say that the two of them will be talking more in the future.
