As a result, 15 th –ranked Sepp Straka has formally withdrawn from the remaining Race to Dubai playoff events. That’s two prestigious legs in the FedEx Cup-style race, which includes the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship and the DP World Tour Championship in Dubai. This decision comes as Straka prioritizes family time, specifically to support his son, Thomas, who has been in neonatal intensive care since birth.
In fact, Straka and his wife Paige welcomed their son, Finn, in early August. Now, at two months old, Thomas is getting ready to go home from the hospital for the first time. In the midst of such an important transition, Straka wants to be home. He wants to make sure he can be there for his family in this important time.
“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,” – Sepp Straka
The golfer highlighted his commitment to family over professional obligations, noting, “I need to be in Alabama to support Paige, ensuring we give Thomas the best start possible as he transitions from NICU to home.”
Despite his exemption for the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship as a Ryder Cup player, Straka’s withdrawal means he will not meet the minimum requirement of four events on the European tour this season. This decision burns particularly hard as he was the only European player to not play in the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth. That Working Together event was a very important lead-up to the Ryder Cup.
Born and raised in Austria, Straka relocated to Georgia as a young teenager to chase his dream of succeeding on the links. His devotion to his family reminds us that the personal commitment to a cause can outlive public accomplishments.
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