WiretoWire: Sepp Straka’s breakthrough win at The Honda Classic

STRAKA EARNS FIRST TOUR TITLE AT THE HONDA CLASSIC Austria native Sepp Straka has demonstrated a propensity for resilience in his professional golf career. In summer 2018, shortly after signing up for Q-School, he won the Korn Ferry Tour’s AdventHealth Championship to rescue his status and proceeded to earn his first PGA TOUR card that fall. The next season, he recorded two top-12s in his final four starts to qualify for the FedExCup Playoffs as a rookie and maintain full TOUR status. Straka followed a similar script Sunday at The Honda Classic. Beginning the day five back of Daniel Berger at always-demanding PGA National (Champion), Straka methodically plotted his way into contention with 1-under play through the first 13 holes, and he rose atop the board with three birdies in the final five holes. As rain began to descend in south Florida, Straka signed for 10-under total and waited out the final pairing, ultimately finishing one clear of Shane Lowry for his first TOUR title. Straka’s University of Georgia teammate Keith Mitchell earned his first TOUR victory at The Honda Classic in 2019, and Mitchell was on hand – despite the rain – to congratulate Straka late Sunday afternoon. Straka earns 500 FedExCup points for his efforts, moves to No. 14 on the season-long FedExCup standings and becomes the latest Georgia Bulldog to conquer the Bear Trap. TOUR HEADS TO BAY HILL AND PUERTO RICO Bryson DeChambeau last week announced his plans to enter the field at the Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by Mastercard. It was big news from the defending champion, who has battled injuries for much of the season. “It’s important to Bryson to try and defend at an event that has Arnold Palmer’s name on it, so he’s doing everything in his power to play,” DeChambeau’s agent Brett Falkoff said. DeChambeau is one of the many stars slated to compete at one of the TOUR’s most prestigious events. Jon Rahm, Rory McIlroy and current FedExCup leader Hideki Matsuyama are among the game’s best who will tee it up at Bay Hill. Due to the event’s elevated status, the winner will receive a three-year TOUR exemption (instead of the usual two years) and 550 FedExCup points (instead of the usual 500). The Puerto Rico Open will also take place this week from Grand Reserve Country Club. There will be plenty of international up-and-comers, PGA TOUR winners – including former world No. 1 Luke Donald – and many of the top 2020-21 Korn Ferry Tour graduates heading to Puerto Rico for the 14th playing of the event. VIDEO OF THE WEEK MIC CHECK “I didn’t tell anybody in my family that I was going to play that Monday qualifier because I wanted to give them a surprise, and I could give them that, so it was like magical. – Martin Contini, who finished T-16 at The Honda Classic BY THE NUMBERS 2006 – With his victory at the Cologuard Classic, Miguel Angel Jimenez became the first player since Loren Roberts in 2006 to win two of the first three events in a season on PGA TOUR Champions. 5 – The number of shots Daniel Berger led by entering the final round at PGA National. It was the largest 54-hole lead on TOUR since Jon Rahm led by six shots after Round 3 of the 2021 Memorial Tournament presented by Workday. Rahm was forced to withdraw before Round 4 during that event due to a positive COVID-19 test. Berger lost Sunday after a 4-over 74 and finished solo fourth. COMCAST BUSINESS TOUR TOP 10 The Comcast Business TOUR TOP 10 highlights and rewards the extraordinary level of play required to earn a spot in the TOP 10 at the conclusion of the FedExCup Regular Season as determined by the FedExCup standings. The competition recognizes and awards the most elite in golf.

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