Sepp Straka has announced this Friday that he will not play the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship. Despite being listed as a participant as an invitee due to being a member of the European team for the Ryder Cup de Bethpage, the Austrian has decided not to attend, stating that his premature son is now being discharged from the hospital after being admitted for two months and therefore needs time to prepare for his arrival home.
Straka will also not play the Dubai Finale. The direct consequence of this decision is that the Central European golfer will not meet the minimum number of tournaments stipulated in the tour regulations, which would result in the loss of his DP World Tour membership as a penalty. However, the tour issued a statement this Friday exempting the player from meeting that minimum due to his special family circumstances. Straka is forgiven and will therefore remain a member despite not meeting the minimum.
Straka had played two regular European tour tournaments so far: Ryder Cup and Scottish Open. In theory, the plan was to meet the minimum by playing in Abu Dhabi and Dubai. This way, he would comply with one of the DP World Tour criteria: playing four tournaments as long as three of them are Rolex Series. These include Scotland, Abu Dhabi, and Dubai. Now it won’t be the case, and he has had to resort to amnesty. Certainly, Straka’s complicated situation is understandable, but what is harder to understand is that he first signed up to play in Abu Dhabi and decided to withdraw only five days later. In any case, the news is that Straka, despite not meeting the minimum number of tournaments set by the European Tour, will remain a member.
Here is the full statement from the DP World Tour:
“The Austrian Sepp Straka has informed the DP World Tour of his withdrawal from the next two DP World Tour Playoffs events for personal reasons.
Straka said:
“Paige and I are pleased to share that we are preparing for our son, Thomas, to come home in the coming weeks after spending his first two months of life in intensive care. We are immensely grateful to the medical teams who have cared for him and helped him grow stronger following his premature arrival in August.
Consequently, I will withdraw from both the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship and the DP World Tour Championship to focus on my family during this important time. I need to be in Alabama to support Paige and ensure we give Thomas the best possible start as he transitions from the NICU (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit) to home.
Thank you for the messages of encouragement and the ongoing support we have received in recent months. I would like to extend my best wishes to all participants in the upcoming DP World Tour Playoffs events and look forward to returning to competition soon.”
Straka’s withdrawal from both the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship and the DP World Tour Championship means he cannot meet his minimum tournament obligation on the DP World Tour for the 2025 season as planned.
However, in recognition of the serious personal circumstances he has faced since August—which have understandably affected his ability to travel and compete globally during the Back 9 and the Playoffs—and as permitted by the Members’ Regulations Manual, the DP World Tour’s Chief Executive, Guy Kinnings, has adjusted Sepp’s minimum tournament obligation, reducing it from four to two.
Therefore, he will remain eligible for membership in the 2026 season. We take this opportunity to reiterate our full support and best wishes to Sepp and his family.
