Sepp Straka got his Ryder Cup career off to the perfect start in Rome but who is the man making Austrian history?
Straka was selected as a captain’s pick for the 2023 Ryder Cup by Luke Donald, having won his second PGA Tour title earlier in the year.
Prior to Straka, only one Austrian had ever played in this competition. Bernd Wiesberger was a part of the European team at the 2021 edition at Whistling Straits.
The Ryder Cup debutant showed off in the opening session, but who is Austrian star Sepp Straka?
Putting Austria on the PGA Tour map
Like Viktor Hovland and Ludvig Aberg, Straka came through the collegiate system. He spent his early years in Austria, before moving with his family to Valdosta, Georgia in the US when he was 14.
Straka then played at the University of Georgia from 2011 to 2016, and turned professional shortly after graduating. It then took him a couple of years before he made it onto the PGA Tour full time.
His maiden PGA Tour victory came in February 2022. He was the victor at Honda Classic, winning by a single shot from European teammate Shane Lowry.
The Austrian finished runner-up at the Sanderson Farms Championship, losing out in a playoff to Mackenzie Hughes in his opening event of the 2022-2023 campaign.
He also finished T5 at the Honda Classic, as he tried to defend his title. A T7 result at the PGA Championship was then his first top-ten in a major championship.
The summer was big for Straka. He secured another PGA Tour win, claiming the John Deere Classic title with a Sunday 62. That was then followed by a T2 result at the Open Championship, his best finish at a major to date.
Thanks to Straka’s performances over the course of 2023, European captain Luke Donald selected the Austrian as one of his six captain’s picks. He follows in the footsteps of Bernd Wiesberger, becoming only the second Austrian to feature in the Ryder Cup.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Sepp Straka
When and where was Sepp Straka born?
Sepp Straka was born in Vienna, Austria on May 1, 1993. The family moved to Valdosta, Georgia, United States when Sepp was 14.
When did Sepp Straka turn professional?
Straka turned professional after graduating from the University of Georgia. He graduated with a degree in Business Management, and began his professional career on the PGA Tour Canada in 2016, before moving up to the Web.com (now Korn Ferry) Tour a year later.
How many PGA Tour titles has Sepp Straka won?
As of September 2023, Straka is a two-time winner on the PGA Tour. He claimed his maiden PGA Tour victory in February 2022, beating Shane Lowry by a single shot to win the Honda Classic. He then doubled his tally with a victory at the John Deere Classic in 2023, firing in a final round of 62 to win by two strokes.
Who is Sepp Straka married to?
Straka is married to Paige Dean, with the pair getting married in 2021. Dean is the senior acquisitions manager at Southern Veterinary Partners.
Did you Know?
Playing Alongside Twin Brother
Sepp’s twin brother Sam was another member of the team at the University of Georgia. The pair also represented Austria at the European Boys Team Championship, where they came 2nd, which was the highest finish for Austria in the competition.
Austrian PGA Tour History
After finishing in the top 20 on the Web.com Tour Finals money list in 2018, Straka secured his PGA Tour card for the 2018-2019 season. In doing so, he became the first Austrian-born player to secure a full-time PGA Tour card. He then became the first Austrian winner on Tour with his victory at the Honda Classic in 2022.
Breakout Major Season
2023 was Straka’s best year as a professional. Along with winning the John Deere Classic, Straka finished in the top ten of a major for the first time. He came home in a tie for 7th at the PGA Championship, before then finishing T2 at the Open Championship at Royal Liverpool.
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