Sepp Straka withdraws from the DP World Tour Playoffs as his newborn son returns home after two months in intensive care.
Sepp Straka has announced that he will not participate in the upcoming DP World Tour Playoff events in the United Arab Emirates. The Austrian golfer, who resides in Alabama, USA, shared that he wants to be with his wife Paige as their second son, Thomas, finally comes home. Born prematurely in August, Thomas spent the first two months of his life in a neonatal intensive care unit. “Our son Thomas is finally coming home after spending the first two months of his life in the NICU,” Straka said. “I want to be there for my wife and do everything I can to help Thomas get the best possible start in life after his early arrival. We are incredibly grateful to the medical teams who have supported him so wonderfully.”
DP World Tour grants Straka an exemption
The first playoff event, the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship, takes place from November 6–9, followed by the DP World Tour Championship in Dubai from November 13–16. Straka’s absence from these events would normally jeopardize his DP World Tour eligibility, as players are required to compete in at least four events to retain their tour card. So far in the 2025 season, Straka has played in the 153rd Open Championship and the Genesis Scottish Open. He also withdrew from the BMW Championship in August for family reasons but did participate in the 2025 Ryder Cup, helping Team Europe to victory at Bethpage State Park in New York.
Recognizing the exceptional circumstances, DP World Tour CEO Guy Kinnings granted Straka a special exemption. The tour reduced the minimum event requirement from four to two, allowing Straka to retain his eligibility for the 2026 season. In an official statement, the DP World Tour expressed their support: “We would like to take this opportunity to extend our full support and best wishes to Sepp and his family.”