Sepp Straka

Josef "Sepp" Straka (born 1 May 1993) is an Austrian professional golfer who plays on the PGA Tour, where he has won twice.

Amateur career
Straka represented Austria, on the same team as his twin brother Sam, at the 2011 European Boys' Team Championship. Team Austria finished second (a tied all-time best), losing in the final against Spain with Jon Rahm on the team.

Straka played collegiate golf at the University of Georgia from 2011 to 2016, not playing during the 2013–2014 season.

Professional career
Straka turned professional after completing college and played a number of tournaments on the 2016 PGA Tour Canada. He qualified for the 2017 Web.com Tour season. His best finish in 25 events was 7th in the El Bosque Mexico Championship.

Straka became the first Austrian golfer to earn a PGA Tour card after finishing tied for 3rd place in the Web.com Tour Championship. Earlier in the year, Straka secured his first professional victory by winning the Web.com Tour's KC Golf Classic by one stroke.

In his first season on the PGA Tour, Straka's best finish was a 3rd place at the 2019 Barbasol Championship, the alternate event to the 2019 Open Championship. Straka also played in his first career major championship at the 2019 U.S. Open, after finishing tied for the lowest score at the sectional qualifying in Milton, Ontario. An opening round of 68 left Straka in a tie for 8th, and though two over-par rounds would follow, a final round of 67 left Straka in a tie for 28th place. Straka finished the regular PGA Tour in 107th place on the FedEx Cup rankings, to qualify him for the 2019 FedEx Cup Playoffs and ensure he would keep his card for the 2020 season.

Straka competed in the Men's individual event at the 2020 Summer Olympics, finishing tied-10th overall.

In February 2022, Straka became the first Austrian to win on the PGA Tour when he won The Honda Classic in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. He shot a final round 66 to win by one shot over Shane Lowry. In August 2022, Straka tied for the lead with Will Zalatoris after 72 holes at the FedEx St. Jude Championship; on the third sudden-death playoff hole, he hit his tee shot into the water, and Zalatoris prevailed with a bogey.

Early in the 2022–23 PGA Tour season, at the Sanderson Farms Championship, Straka lost another sudden-death playoff, this time to Mackenzie Hughes. In July 2023, Straka won the John Deere Classic for his second win on the tour. Following this, Straka finished a joint second in The Open Championship to Brian Harman, six shots back, but his best finish in a major to date.

In September 2023, Straka played on the European team in the 2023 Ryder Cup at Marco Simone Golf and Country Club in Guidonia, Rome, Italy. The European team won 16.5–11.5 and Straka went 1–2–0 including a loss in his Sunday singles match against Justin Thomas.

Personal life
Straka was born in Vienna, Austria, to an American mother and an Austrian father. His family moved to Valdosta, Georgia, when Straka was aged 14. His twin brother, Sam, also played on the golf team at the University of Georgia, where Straka graduated in business management.

PGA Tour wins (2)
PGA Tour playoff record (0–2)

Results in major championships
Results not in chronological order in 2020. {{legend|yellow|Top 10}} {{legend|#eeeeee|Did not play}} CUT = missed the half-way cut "T" = tied NT = no tournament due to COVID-19 pandemic

Summary

 * Most consecutive cuts made – 4 (2019 U.S. Open – 2022 PGA)
 * Longest streak of top-10s – 1 (twice)

Results in The Players Championship
{{legend|yellow|Top 10}} CUT = missed the halfway cut "T" indicates a tie for a place

Results in World Golf Championships
1Cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic "T" = Tied NT = No tournament Note that the Champions was discontinued from 2023.

Team appearances
Amateur Professional
 * European Boys' Team Championship (representing Austria): 2011
 * Hero Cup (representing Continental Europe): 2023 (winners)
 * Ryder Cup (representing Europe): 2023 (winners)