Sepp Straka strengthens Ryder Cup case with joint runner-up finish at the Open
- Planet Sport writer
- 24 July 2023
The Austrian hasn't risen to the level of an automatic qualifier yet, but he now finds himself right on the cusp.
Sepp Straka's best finish in a major has boosted his chances of becoming only the second Austrian to play in a Ryder Cup.
The 30-year-old's joint-second place in The Open at Royal Liverpool came after a tied-seventh at the US Open and finishing ahead of European rivals Tommy Fleetwood and Shane Lowry - the latter missed the cut - has seen him gain ground in the race to be part of Luke Donald's team in Rome.
Straka came into the week eighth on Europe's world points, from which four players qualify, and while his good showing in Hoylake was not enough to catapult him into automatic reckoning, his form is a good indicator heading into the final few weeks of qualification.
"I feel like my game is in a good place. I've got a couple more months of tournaments to take advantage of the good play and hopefully I can do that," said the United States-based golfer after a final-round 69 saw him finish at seven under, six strokes behind champion Brian Harman.
"It would be amazing (to qualify for the Ryder Cup). It's been a huge goal," he said.
"Over the last year and a half really it's been on my radar, and I'm really looking forward to having a chance.
"Luke was here earlier this week in the practice rounds. He came and saw me on one of the days. Just small talk for the most part. Scheduling, all that stuff, nothing too substantial.
"He's told me I've been on his radar for a while now and hopefully I can take advantage of some good play the next few months and make the decision easy for him.
"I want to be on the team and hopefully I can show that with my golf."
