WATCH: Sepp Straka makes ace during Masters practice round
Former Georgia golfer Sepp Straka is off to a strong start down at Augusta National for the Masters this week. During his opening practice round on Monday, Straka made an ace at the historic 12th hole, part of the golf course’s grueling stretch better known as Amen Corner.
Straka is one of eight former Georgia golfers in the field for the season’s first major. Straka, who was in Athens from 2011 to 2016, is joined by fellow Bulldogs Harris English, Brian Harman, Russell Henley, Chris Kirk, Kevin Kisner, Keith Mitchell and two-time champion Bubba Watson.
Straka made his Masters debut in 2022 with a T-30 finish. He followed that up by playing in all four majors of the season bringing his career appearance total to six. His best finish came in his first major, the 2019 U.S. Open, tying for 28th.
Straka had a strong showing in 2022 with his lone win on the PGA Tour coming in February at The Honda Classic, beating Shane Lowry by a stroke. He followed that up with a top-10 at the Players Championship in March before making a pair of appearances in playoffs later in the year. Straka fell to Will Zalatoris at the FedEx St. Jude Championship in August, a part of the FedEx Cup Playoffs, on a third extra hole and did the same to Mackenzie Hughes at the Sanderson Farms Championship on a second hole. Straka was one of 30 golfers that qualified for the season-ending event at East Lake Golf Club in Atlanta where he finished tied for seventh.
The Sanderson Farms finish is his best this season, coming in early October after the start of the new PGA Tour season. Straka also finished top-10 at the Hero World Challenge and QBE Shootout back to back weeks in December before a T-5 finish at The Honda Classic in February, won by Georgia’s Chris Kirk.
Tee times and pairings for the first two days of action at Augusta National will be announced by Tuesday. In total, 88 golfers will tee it up for the right to wear the famous green jacket come Sunday.
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Georgia golf already making noise at Augusta this week
Straka’s ace wasn’t the first time loud roars for a former Georgia golfer have been heard at Augusta National this week. Over the weekend, Georgia fifth-year senior Jenny Bae finished second at the Augusta National Women’s Amateur, falling on a second playoff hole to top-ranked women’s amateur Rose Zhang.
Bae started the final round six shots back of Zhang, the leader after both the first and second rounds, and closed the gap with a 2-under-par, 70, the lowest score of any golfer during the final round.
“I’m proud of myself, being able to even get the chance to go to a playoff and possibly win the title,” Bae said. “I’ve worked really hard. I also just want to say thank you to everyone, especially my caddie and my coach (Josh Brewer).
“Honestly, without him, I don’t think I would’ve been able to even come here,” Bae continued. “He played a major factor today. I was really nervous and really tense the first few holes. He was just right there next to me, trying to crack jokes and trying to get me to eat and drink. A really key thing for me was trying to get me to stay patient, and I think he did a fantastic job.”
