Austrian golfer Sepp Straka is ranked atop the players’ standings. He has since pulled out of the BMW Championship for a personal family emergency. This decision comes at a critical time. Straka is now No. 6 in the Ryder Cup standings for Europe, No. 10 in the world.
Straka’s decision here could have far-reaching effects on his ranking. Shane Lowry and Ludvig Åberg have a decent chance of knocking him out of the top six this week. Not surprisingly, that shift would greatly diminish his chances of qualifying for the European team. The top six players will secure their position going into the Tour Championship and the British Masters. This week looms large for Straka’s competitive race.
Even with withdrawal from the BMW Championship, Straka is set to return next week for the Tour Championship. His manager, Butler Melnyk, was able to confirm that Straka asked for privacy on the family issue that called him home. As Straka heads into the pressure cooker that is the Tour Championship, Straka would do well to reset his mind. He’s intent on pursuing the $10 million bonus that would go with winning the FedEx Cup title.
Unlike the other 49 players, Straka is ineligible to win the $5 million bonus for finishing first in the FedEx Cup standings. Scottie Scheffler has already locked that up, of course.
The BMW Championship at Caves Valley is now underway. Just 49 players left after the top elite qualifiers made it in! All 30 of the players that make it to the Tour Championship, including Straka, will begin equally in their pursuit of the overall win. Each shot will count for more than ever in this last stretch of the season.
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