The Champions Course at PGA National lives up to its reputation
It was a thrilling finish at the PGA National’s Honda Classic as Sepp Straka, a 28-year-old native of Vienna, Austria, came from behind to win. Straka started the final round three shots behind the leader, but he made a furious charge on the back nine to take the victory. It was his first win on the PGA Tour and it came in a dramatic fashion. Straka birdied the last three holes to pull ahead of his competitors. It was an amazing performance and a very exciting finish. Congratulations to Sepp Straka on his impressive victory!
Players can wake up struggling to afford PB&J sandwiches to become millionaires before bedtime come Sunday night. Zero to hero can happen during the course of 72 holes on any given week with how lucrative it is to play on the big stage. The big stage, meaning the Professional Golf Association or better known to most as the PGA Tour. And this past Sunday at the Honda Classic, that is where Sepp Straka made his mark with a birdie on the 72nd hole on Sunday to claim the 2022 Honda Classic at PGA National.
A long way from the Korn Ferry Tour
The win is Straka’s first on Tour and his first professional victory since the 2018 KC Golf Classic on the Korn Ferry Tour. Straka will take home $1,440,000, with runner-up Shane Lowry earning $872,000.
In what could only be described as a “Zoolander” moment, Straka started the final round three shots off the lead, and by day’s end, he had not only walked away with the trophy but a nice payday as well. How he did it was nothing short of amazing. Straka birdied the last three holes on the back nine at PGA National Resort & Spa’s Champion course in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida to take the title. This was his first-ever major tour and it came in a dramatic fashion.
Taming the Bear…The Champion Course and the Bear Trap at PGA National Resort & Spa
PGA National Resort And Spa is best known for the Bear Trap, one of the hardest three-hole stretches on the PGA Tour. The “Trap” consists of three infamous holes, on the Champion Course, that will separate the best from the rest. Hole #15, a 179-yard dogleg left par 3. Hole #16 is the lone par 4 but a very tricky dog-leg right hole that is looking to steal a ball in the hazard. Lastly, the “Trap” contains another par 3, hole #17. This hole is the most intimidating of the three because the tee shot looks as if the only option is to settle for a watery grave.
Playing these stretch of holes under par for the week is key to staying in the hunt on Sunday. As a testament to how difficult the Champions at PGA National is, it is one of the major PGA tournaments that Tiger Woods has never won. Although he did finish in as runner-up in 2012, with a record 4 birdies and 2 eagles as his way to a runner-up finish of -8 on the par 70 Champions course
This stunning resort and course are located in the city of Palm Beach Gardens, in central Florida ranking as one of the best resorts in the state. PGA National is comprised of five courses. All five courses are private and reserved for PGA club members, their guests, and associates, and for guests of the Resort and Spa.
“I get to play golf for a living. What more can you ask for – getting paid for doing what you love.” Tiger Woods
Yes, it may seem like a rag-to-riches journey when someone wins on the PGA. However, it takes years of dedication, practice, hard work, travel, perhaps even sleeping in your car and eating PB&J sandwiches. Some PGA tour professionals find interesting ways to save money or cover the cost of those early years before the big win. One tour pro has his wife caddy for him, many drive their own vehicles, and stay with friends and relatives, all in an effort to earn their PGA Tour card. But the reward can be great.
Check out the chart below to see how much money each PGA Tour player earned with their finish at the 2022 Honda Classic.
Honda Classic Prize Money
Position |
Player |
Score |
Earnings |
1 |
Sepp Straka |
-10 |
$1,440,000 |
2 |
Shane Lowry |
-9 |
$872,000 |
3 |
Kurt Kitayama |
-8 |
$552,000 |
4 |
Daniel Berger |
-7 |
$392,000 |
T5 |
Gary Woodland |
-4 |
$309,000 |
T5 |
Alex Noren |
-4 |
$309,000 |
T7 |
Matthias Schwab |
-3 |
$260,000 |
T7 |
Chris Kirk |
-3 |
$260,000 |
T9 |
Keith Mitchell |
-2 |
$194,000 |
T9 |
Brian Stuard |
-2 |
$194,000 |
T9 |
John Huh |
-2 |
$194,000 |
T9 |
Lee Hodges |
-2 |
$194,000 |
T9 |
Sam Ryder |
-2 |
$194,000 |
T9 |
Adam Svensson |
-2 |
$194,000 |
15 |
Mark Hubbard |
-1 |
$146,000 |
T16 |
Cameron Young |
E |
$106,533 |
T16 |
Nick Taylor |
E |
$106,533 |
T16 |
C.T. Pan |
E |
$106,533 |
T16 |
Brooks Koepka |
E |
$106,533 |
T16 |
Kevin Streelman |
E |
$106,533 |
T16 |
Billy Horschel |
E |
$106,533 |
T16 |
Beau Hossler |
E |
$106,533 |
T16 |
Dylan Frittelli |
E |
$106,533 |
T16 |
Martin Contini |
E |
$106,533 |
T25 |
Christiaan Bezuidenhout |
1 |
$62,800 |
T25 |
Bill Haas |
1 |
$62,800 |
T25 |
Taylor Pendrith |
1 |
$62,800 |
T25 |
Matthew NeSmith |
1 |
$62,800 |
T25 |
Chase Seiffert |
1 |
$62,800 |
T30 |
Callum Tarren |
2 |
$43,133 |
T30 |
Lucas Glover |
2 |
$43,133 |
T30 |
J.J. Spaun |
2 |
$43,133 |
T30 |
Denny McCarthy |
2 |
$43,133 |
T30 |
Trey Mullinax |
2 |
$43,133 |
T30 |
Louis Oosthuizen |
2 |
$43,133 |
T30 |
Rick Lamb |
2 |
$43,133 |
T30 |
Mito Pereira |
2 |
$43,133 |
T30 |
Ian Poulter |
2 |
$43,133 |
T30 |
Dylan Wu |
2 |
$43,133 |
T30 |
Andrew Kozan |
2 |
$43,133 |
T30 |
Nick Watney |
2 |
$43,133 |
T42 |
Brian Gay |
3 |
$27,600 |
T42 |
J.T. Poston |
3 |
$27,600 |
T42 |
Davis Riley |
3 |
$27,600 |
T42 |
Jhonattan Vegas |
3 |
$27,600 |
T42 |
Rickie Fowler |
3 |
$27,600 |
T42 |
Lee Westwood |
3 |
$27,600 |
T48 |
Danny Willett |
4 |
$20,286 |
T48 |
Stephan Jaeger |
4 |
$20,286 |
T48 |
Brendon Todd |
4 |
$20,286 |
T48 |
Martin Trainer |
4 |
$20,286 |
T48 |
Rory Sabbatini |
4 |
$20,286 |
T48 |
K.H. Lee |
4 |
$20,286 |
T48 |
Mackenzie Hughes |
4 |
$20,286 |
T55 |
Peter Uihlein |
5 |
$18,160 |
T55 |
Brett Drewitt |
5 |
$18,160 |
T55 |
Vaughn Taylor |
5 |
$18,160 |
T55 |
Russell Knox |
5 |
$18,160 |
T55 |
David Lipsky |
5 |
$18,160 |
T55 |
Alex Smalley |
5 |
$18,160 |
T55 |
Roger Sloan |
5 |
$18,160 |
T55 |
Samuel Stevens |
5 |
$18,160 |
T55 |
Curtis Thompson |
5 |
$18,160 |
T64 |
Justin Lower |
6 |
$17,280 |
T64 |
Patrick Rodgers |
6 |
$17,280 |
T66 |
Bronson Burgoon |
7 |
$16,800 |
T66 |
Garrick Higgo |
7 |
$16,800 |
T66 |
William McGirt |
7 |
$16,800 |
T66 |
Aaron Rai |
7 |
$16,800 |
T70 |
Ryan Palmer |
8 |
$16,320 |
T70 |
Joshua Creel |
8 |
$16,320 |
T72 |
Robert Streb |
12 |
$16,000 |
T72 |
Austin Cook |
12 |
$16,000 |