2023 Honda Classic: Top 10 Power Rankings at PGA National

Sepp Straka surged late on Sunday at the 2022 Honda Classic to claim his first and only career PGA Tour title. Bad weather rained down on the final group on the 72nd to spoil leader Shane Lowry’s chance, opening the door for Straka who got to the clubhouse before precipitation hit.

Straka was in danger of missing the cut after a 1-over 71 on Thursday, but he followed with 64-69-66 and birdied 14, 16, and 18 in the final round to emerge from the pack for a one-shot victory.

"“Yeah, it’s definitely one of the tougher ones we play all year, but it’s right there in front of you,” Straka was transcribed by ASAP Sports in 2022 describing PGA National. “I mean you basically try not to hit it in the water. You just pick your safe targets and you hit an aggressive shot at your safe targets and that’s kind of the key.”"

The win didn’t open the door for the Austrian-American to find consistently high results, but he did have some nice flashes the rest of the season. Straka posted T-9th at the Players Championship, T-3rd at the RBC Heritage, and second at the FedEx St. Jude Championship. That helped the former Georgia Bulldog and Georgian play in front of family and friends at his first Tour Championship.

Straka got off to a good start in the effort to get back to East Lake after opening his 2022-23 season with a solo second at the Sanderson Farms Championship.

The 29-year-old ranks 37th on the PGA Tour in strokes gained approach. Reliable iron play is key to navigating PGA National.