Sepp Straka told the Sky Sports Golf podcast that his “No 1 goal” in 2025 is to make Europe’s Ryder Cup team and play in the “crazy environment” at Bethpage Black.
The Austrian made his tournament debut in Rome in 2023, taking one point from his three matches as he and Shane Lowry beat Rickie Fowler and Collin Morikawa in the first-day foursomes.
That victory came amid a 4-0 sweep in the opening session and Europe went on to win 16.5-11.5 under Luke Donald’s captaincy to regain the trophy they had lost in Wisconsin two years earlier.
Looking ahead to this September’s contest, Straka exclusively told the Sky Sports Golf podcast: “That would be the No 1 goal. You’d think that playing in Rome would be a bucket-list item but it just makes you want to do it even more.
“I think it’s going to be a very crazy environment and I think a big thing is handling pressure – that’s going to be huge, because we’ll be feeling a lot of pressure from a lot of different sides.
“I think being mentally strong will be huge for the 12 that go and that’s something you can start preparing for. You’ll never have that environment, but you can definitely start preparing for it.
Straka hugs Shane Lowry (left) during their partnership at the 2023 Ryder Cup
“Preparation [for Donald and vice-captain Edoardo Molinari] started the day after Rome. They were already getting ready even though we didn’t know for sure that Luke was going to be the captain.
“No stone will be left unturned with those guys preparing us for that tournament. Whoever the 12 are will be as ready as possible for that environment.”
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Straka: 2023 Ryder Cup exceeded my expectations
“My expectations [for the 2023 Ryder Cup] were really high going into the week and it exceeded every expectation that I had,” Straka continued.
“It was so special. Just standing on that first tee on Friday with Shane [Lowry] and the crowd was just unbelievable all week long. It was just a very incredible environment.
“I would imagine the environment is going to be different, but that team room is still going to feel the same in New York. I’m really looking forward to trying to play my way onto the team.”
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Highlights from the final round of The American Express in January as Straka secured his third PGA Tour title
Straka – a three-time winner on the PGA Tour, most recently in January at The American Express – feels he is capable of a major victory and has earmarked the Open Championship at Royal Portrush in July.
The world No 16 added: “I definitely think my best is good enough. A lot of things have to come together – you can’t really force a major or force a tournament.
“I think Augusta [for The Masters] is always circled, but Royal Portrush – I’ve heard from a lot of players, a lot of caddies that that’s their favourite Open. That’s going to be a really special one.
Lowry won the Claret Jug when the Open Championship was last staged at Royal Portrush in 2019
“I’ve gotten a lot better at links golf over the years. I think my skill set kind of matches up better for that major than a lot of others.
“Nobody likes to play in those conditions, but at The Open you just enjoy it and know it’s part of it.”
What else features on the podcast?
The Sky Sports Golf Podcast is back, with new host Jamie Weir joined by David Howell to look back on Northern Irish and English wins on the PGA Tour and the DP World Tour.
They discuss Rory McIlroy’s impressive victory at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am and are also joined by the winner of the Bapco Energies Bahrain Championship – Laurie Canter, whose putting coach just happens to be Howell!
Watch the 2025 Ryder Cup, The Open Championship and lots more golf live on Sky Sports in 2025 – and make sure you listen to the Sky Sports Golf podcast every week. Get Sky Sports or stream with no contract on NOW.
