2024 Cognizant Classic in the Palm Beaches: Top 10 power rankings at PGA National

Sepp Straka fits the mold of a few different players in this week’s field. He doesn’t bring elite form into the week, but he’s got excellent course history.

Those are the types of guys to tend to ride with at the non-signature events. Sure, some big names attend non-signature events to get reps, make more cash, earn more FedEx Cup points, etc. Otherwise, most of the field is there because they’re trying to grind their way up the PGA Tour ladder.

Straka is someone who doesn’t need to be here this week at PGA National. He’s someone who wants to be.

Why wouldn’t you when your last two appearances at the Cognizant Classic have made you more than $1.7 million?

After a missed cut (73-70) by one in his debut in 2019, Straka has gone T-27th (70-67-74-71), T-33rd (68-70-69-73), first (71-64-69-66) and T-5th (69-68-66-68).

If he had a little sharper short game last year, the Austrian could’ve gone back-to-back. He was second in the field in Strokes Gained: Approach (7.567) and T-2nd in driving accuracy (75%).

“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.”

Straka comes to Palm Beach Gardens well-rested with last week off and the weekend off in his last start at the Genesis Invitational.

The former Georgia Bulldog has otherwise played well at Signature Events this season. Straka took T-12th at The Sentry and T-26th at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am.

The 30-year-old was a winner last year at the John Deere Classic and took second at the exhibition Hero World Challenge.