One of Europe’s top players in the game will not take part in the final two events of the 2025 DP World Tour campaign, as Sepp Straka has withdrawn from the post-season of the two tournaments that make up the Race to Dubai. The world No. 15 instead chose to stay at home with his two-month-old son, who has been hospitalized since his birth in August.
Without playing in these tournaments, Straka would not have fulfilled the minimum four tournament playing requirement for DP World Tour membership. Due to the serious situation, the circuit has decided to amend Straka’s participation requirement from four to two tournaments, allowing him to qualify for membership in 2026.
“Paige and I are pleased to share that our son Thomas is preparing to return home in the coming weeks after spending the first two months of his life in the intensive care unit,” Straka said. “We are extremely grateful to the dedicated medical team who have cared for him since his early arrival in August and helped him grow stronger.
“As a result, I have decided to withdraw from both the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship and the DP World Tour Championship to focus on my family at this critical time. I need to be in Alabama to support Paige and give Thomas the best start possible as he transitions from the NICU to home.”
Power 18 Golf Rankings: Xander Schauffele returns to top 5, Cameron Young among players to watch
patrick mcdonald
Straka has been exempted from playing in next week’s Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship by virtue of playing on Bethpage Black’s European Ryder Cup team. The Austrian was the only European team player not to compete in the DP World Tour’s flagship event, the BMW PGA Championship, two weeks before the Ryder Cup, but was able to compete against the United States as his son’s condition improved.
The 32-year-old had the best season of his career in 2025. Straka won twice on the PGA Tour, including the marquee event, the Twist Championship at the Philadelphia Cricket Club, and was once again a member of Bethpage Black’s Ryder Cup winning team. He also ranked 7th in the Official World Golf Ranking.
