Ryder Cup star withdraws from playoffs amid sons | Golf News

Ryder Cup hero Sepp Straka has pulled out of the DP World Tour playoffs citing “personal reasons” as he focuses on his untimely new child son.

Despite incomes his spot in the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship through Europe’s Ryder Cup triumph over the United States at Bethpage Black, the Austrian has chosen to skip the season-opening event to be with his household.

The 32-year-old will reunite with his spouse, Paige, to care for their son, Thomas, following his untimely arrival. Straka has been granted particular dispensation by the DP World Tour to keep his membership for next season, enabling him to be current for Thomas, who has been in intensive care for two months.

In a assertion, Straka said: “Paige and I are pleased to share that we are preparing for our son, Thomas, to return home in the coming weeks after spending his initial two months of life in intensive care. We are immensely grateful to the dedicated medical teams who have cared for him and helped him grow stronger following his early arrival in August.

“Consequently, I might be withdrawing from both the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship and the DP World Tour Championship to focus on my household during this important time. I need to be in Alabama to assist Paige, making certain we give Thomas the best start attainable as he transitions from NICU to home.”

Straka also said: “I would really like to prolong my best needs to all individuals in the upcoming DP World Tour Play-Off occasions and look ahead to being back on the market soon.”

The special exemption means Straka’s absence and failure to meet his minimum tournament requirement on the DP World Tour this season have been waived. His obligation has been cut from four tournaments to two “in recognition of his severe personal circumstances since August.”

Straka’s last DP World Tour outing was at July’s Genesis Scottish Open, meaning he will qualify for membership for the 2026 season.

The Austrian’s Ryder Cup preparations were also impacted by health issues involving his son. Straka was the only Team Europe member who didn’t compete at the BMW PGA Championship, which Luke Donald used as a preparation tournament.

Before the Wentworth tournament, Donald explained Straka’s absence: “Yeah, every little thing is OK. I do not suppose an official announcement has been made, but him and his spouse welcomed their child a few weeks in the past prematurely.

“Everything is going extremely well with their baby. He just doesn’t want to be so far away. I think that’s only fair.”

The Ryder Cup, where Straka secured a level from his three matches in the 15-13 victory, stays his sole look since ending thirtieth at the Tour Championship in August.