VIRGINIA WATER, UK — Sepp Straka withdrew from two Race to Dubai playoff occasions so he may go dwelling when his 2-month-old son was discharged from the hospital for the primary time in his life.
Straka, who was born and raised in Austria earlier than transferring to Georgia as a young person, was exempted from competing in subsequent week’s Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship as a Ryder Cup participant.
Straka was the one European to not compete within the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth within the run-up to the Ryder Cup. His son was born in early August and has been within the neonatal intensive care unit ever since. He developed to the purpose the place Straka may compete at Bethpage Black.
“Paige and I are happy to share that our son Thomas is getting ready to return dwelling within the coming weeks after spending the primary two months of his life in intensive care,” Straka mentioned in an announcement. “We’re extraordinarily grateful to the devoted medical workforce who’ve cared for him since his early arrival in August and helped him develop stronger.”
He mentioned he would withdraw from the DP World Tour Championship in Abu Dhabi and subsequent week in Dubai to spend time along with his household.
“I have to be in Alabama to assist Paige and ensure Thomas will get the very best begin doable as he transitions from the NICU to dwelling,” he mentioned.
He’ll miss the minimal of 4 tournaments on the European Tour. In mild of Straka’s son’s state of affairs, tour chief government Man Kinnings revised the qualification requirement from 4 occasions to 2, permitting Straka to stay eligible in 2026.
Straka is a two-time winner on this yr’s PGA Tour, together with the signature occasion on the Philadelphia Cricket Membership, and is No. 15 on the earth rankings.
