Latest news with #Straka
eNCA
15-05-2025
- Sport
- eNCA
Straka, Hovland, Aberg seek first major win, Ryder Cup spot
CHARLOTTE - Austria's Sepp Straka, Norway's Viktor Hovland and Sweden's Ludvig Aberg seek their first major titles at this week's PGA Championship while also trying to impress Europe Ryder Cup captain Luke Donald. As three of the world's four highest-ranked players without a major victory, they seek a breakthrough win in the showdown at Quail Hollow starting Thursday while Donald studies talent for September's matches against the host Americans at Bethpage Black. "The majors are important," Donald said. "That's the time when everyone gets together on good golf courses and you have stacked fields. Just to see how they're playing in those is another point that we take into consideration quite a lot." Only four European golfers have ever won the PGA Championship: England's Jim Barnes in the 1916 inaugural and 1919, Irishman Padraig Harrington in 2008, Germany's Martin Kaymer in 2010 and Northern Ireland's Rory McIlroy in 2012 and 2014. Aberg is world number six, Straka is ranked ninth and Hovland is 11th. Only world number two McIlroy and Ireland's 10th-ranked Shane Lowry rate higher among Europeans. Among them, only Straka is in the top six in Cup qualifying points, which after August's British Masters will be used to select half the Europe team, joined by Donald's six captain's picks. Straka won January's PGA American Express tournament and captured last week's Truist Championship for his fourth career PGA Tour title to jump among the Cup points leaders. "The goal all year has been to make that team. Definitely was a little bit behind in the points," Straka said. "Hopefully I can keep playing well and be in the top six there by the end of the year." He expects a tough crowd of US supporters near New York. "I think the fans are going to be coming out in full support for the US and I think it's going to be fun but in a very different way," said Straka. "They're going to make it very challenging and it's going to be tough. Hopefully I can get my game in shape and keep it going through that time." For now, Straka hopes to stay under the radar despite two wins in 2025. "I'm a little bit shy," he said. "I definitely enjoy being under the radar a little more. It makes it maybe a little bit easier to prepare because you don't have all the eyeballs on you." Aberg, who had not seen Quail Hollow until a May 4 practice round, won his second PGA Tour title at Riviera in February. He was a runner-up at last year's Masters in his major debut. "The experiences I've had over the last two years have definitely helped me," Aberg said. "Ryder Cup in '23 definitely helped me because I was able to hang out with those guys I had really only seen on TV up until that point. "I want to be on the team this year as well... if you've ever been on one team, you never want to miss it again and that's how I feel about Bethpage this year." Hovland, a 27-year-old from Oslo, won the 2023 Tour Championship and PGA playoff crown but had not won since then until March's Valspar Championship. "I'm still not entirely happy with where I'm at," Hovland said. "I'm definitely trending in the right direction, but there's still just some stuff left in there that just doesn't allow me to play to the level I want." Hovland's best finish in 21 major starts was a runner-up effort at the 2023 PGA Championship.
Straits Times
15-05-2025
- Sport
- Straits Times
Is Austria's Sepp Straka the world's best golfer who's not a household name?
Sepp Straka of Austria looks over a putt on the 12th hole prior to the PGA Championship at Quail Hollow on May 14. PHOTO: AFP Is Austria's Sepp Straka the world's best golfer who's not a household name? CHARLOTTE – By winning last week's Truist Championship, Austria's Sepp Straka earned a US$3.6 million (S$4.7 million) paycheck, jumped into the top 10 of the Official World Golf Ranking for the first time and all but clinched a spot on Team Europe for the upcoming Ryder Cup. One thing he did not do? Maintain his preference for staying below the radar. 'I'm not very outgoing,' Straka said on May 14, one day before he tees off in the PGA Championship at Quail Hollow. 'I'm not a big people person. I'm a little bit shy. It makes it maybe a little bit easier to prepare for tournaments because you don't have all the eyeballs on you.' But, little by little, the 32-year-old continues to blow his cover. He won the 2022 Honda Classic and the 2023 John Deere Classic to help claim his spot on Team Europe's victorious 2023 roster. This year, Straka has doubled his PGA Tour wins to four as he also collected the American Express in January. His US$8,228,709 in PGA Tour winnings this season are exceeded only by Masters champion Rory McIlroy (US$13.9 million) and Justin Thomas (US$8.6 million). Oh, and Straka has jumped into fifth place in Ryder Cup points for the European side. The top six earn automatic bids to play for captain Luke Donald in September at Bethpage Black. While it is too soon for anyone to be guaranteed a spot when Team Europe attempts to keep the Cup, Donald certainly sounded like Straka should make some plans. 'I think he's sort of proven that he deserves to be thought of as one of the best European players. Just a cool, calm, collected (golfer). Doesn't get too bothered by things, very consistent game, great putter,' Donald said. 'We saw that on Sunday (at Truist). He just sort of did what he knows he can do. Didn't seem to get too up, too down. Played extremely well. He's just a very, very consistent ball striker. He works hard on his game. There's not too many weaknesses in his game. 'I think he was great to be around, as well, in that team room (in Rome). He's just fun and joking and just an easy, easy guy to be around.' Straka does not want to assume anything. 'What a great week, great group of guys,' he said. 'The group chat (is) still going from the last one. Hoping to be in the group chat for the next one.' A good showing this week at Quail Hollow will go a long way toward ensuring that. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
New Straits Times
15-05-2025
- Sport
- New Straits Times
Is Austria's Sepp Straka the world's best golfer who's not a household name?
By winning last week's Truist Championship, Austria's Sepp Straka earned a US$3.6 million paycheck, jumped into the top 10 of the Official World Golf Ranking for the first time and all but clinched a spot on Team Europe for the upcoming Ryder Cup. One thing Straka did not do? Maintain his preference for staying below the radar. "I'm not very outgoing," Straka said Wednesday, one day before he tees off in the PGA Championship at Quail Hollow. "I'm not a big people person. I'm a little bit shy. "It makes it maybe a little bit easier to prepare for tournaments because you don't have all the eyeballs on you." But, little by little, the 32-year-old Straka continues to blow his cover. He won the 2022 Honda Classic and the 2023 John Deere Classic to help claim his spot on Team Europe's victorious 2023 roster. This year, Straka has doubled his PGA Tour wins to four as he also collected the American Express in January. His US$8,228,709 in PGA Tour winnings this season are exceeded only by Masters champion Rory McIlroy (US$13.9 million) and Justin Thomas (US$8.6 million). Oh, and Straka has jumped into fifth place in Ryder Cup points for the European side. The top six earn automatic bids to play for captain Luke Donald in September at Bethpage Black. While it's too soon for anyone to be guaranteed a spot when Team Europe attempts to keep the Cup, Donald certainly sounded Wednesday like Straka should make some plans. "Well, I think he was picked for a reason in '23," Donald said. "I think he's sort of proven that he deserves to be thought of as one of the best European players. Just a cool, calm, collected (golfer). Doesn't get too bothered by things, very consistent game, great putter. "We saw that on Sunday (at Truist). He just sort of did what he knows he can do. Didn't seem to get too up, too down. Played extremely well. He's just a very, very consistent ball striker. He works hard on his game. There's not too many weaknesses in his game. "I think he was great to be around, as well, in that team room (in Rome). He's just fun and joking and just an easy, easy guy to be around." Straka doesn't want to assume anything. "What a great week, great group of guys," he said. "The group chat (is) still going from the last one. Hoping to be in the group chat for the next one." A good showing this week at Quail Hollow will go a long way toward ensuring that.
Reuters
15-05-2025
- Sport
- Reuters
Is Austria's Sepp Straka the world's best golfer who's not a household name?
May 15 - By winning last week's Truist Championship, Austria's Sepp Straka earned a $3.6 million paycheck, jumped into the top 10 of the Official World Golf Ranking for the first time and all but clinched a spot on Team Europe for the upcoming Ryder Cup. One thing Straka did not do? Maintain his preference for staying below the radar. "I'm not very outgoing," Straka said Wednesday, one day before he tees off in the PGA Championship at Quail Hollow. "I'm not a big people person. I'm a little bit shy. "It makes it maybe a little bit easier to prepare for tournaments because you don't have all the eyeballs on you." But, little by little, the 32-year-old Straka continues to blow his cover. He won the 2022 Honda Classic and the 2023 John Deere Classic to help claim his spot on Team Europe's victorious 2023 roster. This year, Straka has doubled his PGA Tour wins to four as he also collected the American Express in January. His $8,228,709 in PGA Tour winnings this season are exceeded only by Masters champion Rory McIlroy ($13.9 million) and Justin Thomas ($8.6 million). Oh, and Straka has jumped into fifth place in Ryder Cup points for the European side. The top six earn automatic bids to play for captain Luke Donald in September at Bethpage Black. While it's too soon for anyone to be guaranteed a spot when Team Europe attempts to keep the Cup, Donald certainly sounded Wednesday like Straka should make some plans. "Well, I think he was picked for a reason in '23," Donald said. "I think he's sort of proven that he deserves to be thought of as one of the best European players. Just a cool, calm, collected (golfer). Doesn't get too bothered by things, very consistent game, great putter. "We saw that on Sunday (at Truist). He just sort of did what he knows he can do. Didn't seem to get too up, too down. Played extremely well. He's just a very, very consistent ball striker. He works hard on his game. There's not too many weaknesses in his game. "I think he was great to be around, as well, in that team room (in Rome). He's just fun and joking and just an easy, easy guy to be around." Straka doesn't want to assume anything. "What a great week, great group of guys," he said. "The group chat (is) still going from the last one. Hoping to be in the group chat for the next one." A good showing this week at Quail Hollow will go a long way toward ensuring that. --Field Level Media
Hindustan Times
15-05-2025
- Sport
- Hindustan Times
Is Austria's Sepp Straka the world's best golfer who's not a household name?
One thing Straka did not do? Maintain his preference for staying below the radar. "I'm not very outgoing," Straka said Wednesday, one day before he tees off in the PGA Championship at Quail Hollow. "I'm not a big people person. I'm a little bit shy. "It makes it maybe a little bit easier to prepare for tournaments because you don't have all the eyeballs on you." But, little by little, the 32-year-old Straka continues to blow his cover. He won the 2022 Honda Classic and the 2023 John Deere Classic to help claim his spot on Team Europe's victorious 2023 roster. This year, Straka has doubled his PGA Tour wins to four as he also collected the American Express in January. His $8,228,709 in PGA Tour winnings this season are exceeded only by Masters champion Rory McIlroy and Justin Thomas . Oh, and Straka has jumped into fifth place in Ryder Cup points for the European side. The top six earn automatic bids to play for captain Luke Donald in September at Bethpage Black. While it's too soon for anyone to be guaranteed a spot when Team Europe attempts to keep the Cup, Donald certainly sounded Wednesday like Straka should make some plans. "Well, I think he was picked for a reason in '23," Donald said. "I think he's sort of proven that he deserves to be thought of as one of the best European players. Just a cool, calm, collected . Doesn't get too bothered by things, very consistent game, great putter. "We saw that on Sunday . He just sort of did what he knows he can do. Didn't seem to get too up, too down. Played extremely well. He's just a very, very consistent ball striker. He works hard on his game. There's not too many weaknesses in his game. "I think he was great to be around, as well, in that team room . He's just fun and joking and just an easy, easy guy to be around." Straka doesn't want to assume anything. "What a great week, great group of guys," he said. "The group chat still going from the last one. Hoping to be in the group chat for the next one." A good showing this week at Quail Hollow will go a long way toward ensuring that. Field Level Media
