2022 Cadence Bank Houston Open: Top 10 Power Rankings at Memorial Park

Sepp Straka had a career season in 2021-22. Can he sustain it?

That’s the big question for the Austrian-American who pulled in his first PGA Tour victory this year at the Honda Classic. Straka had bouts of poor play in the aftermath, but he still recorded three more top-10s, including solo second at the FedEx St. Jude Championship. That helped the former Georgia Bulldog qualify for his first Tour Championship in Atlanta.

Straka got off to a good start to the 2022-23 campaign by finishing solo second at the Sanderson Farms Championship. He posted four rounds in the 60s and lost in a two-hole playoff to Mackenzie Hughes.

Straka has finished outside the top 40 the next three events. That’s a big reason I don’t have him higher.

I do have optimism for a good week for Straka given past success at the Cadence Bank Houston Open. The 29-year-old fired 68-69-66-69 to finish T-5th and five shots back in 2020.

Straka missed the cut last year, but only by a shot. Posting 70-72 isn’t anything to be ashamed of at a tough test like Memorial Park.

Last season on the PGA Tour, he ranked 39th in strokes gained per round putting (.285). Straka was 21st in proximity from 175-200 yards (31’3).

If the Ryder Cup was last year, there’s a chance Straka may have been a captain’s pick. He’s in good shape to get there via world ranking, but at least one more win will likely be needed.

Getting it done in Houston will be one of Straka’s best opportunities.