The DP World Tour relaxes rule for this European Ryder Cup team member in the wake of family emergency

Sepp Straka and his family got good news when doctors gave them the OK to take home their son Thomas, who was born prematurely in August and had remained hospitalized during his first few months of life. And now the DP World Tour also has provided two-time European Ryder Cup player some relief in announcing Friday it would make an exception to its rule regarding minimum starts to retain tour membership.

Straka, 32, told tour officials he needed to withdraw from the upcoming Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship as well as the season-ending DP World Tour Championship, both set for November. “I need to be in Alabama to support Paige [Straka’s wife], ensuring we give Thomas the best start possible as he transitions from NICU to home,” Straka said a statement.

Having only played twice in DP World Tour events in 2025, Straka would not hit the minimum of four tournament starts needed to be eligible to play on tour in 2026. However, given the extenuating circumstances, DP World Tour chief executive Guy Kinnings amended the requirements for Straka to two starts, under a provision in the DP World Tour members regulation handbook that gives him the authority to make that one-off rules change.

In a statement, the tour noted: “We would like to take this opportunity to continue to offer our full support and best wishes to Sepp and his family.”

Thomas’ early arrival forced Straka, who was a two-time PGA Tour winner in 2025 and is 15th in the Official World Golf Ranking, to withdraw from a PGA Tour’s BMW Championship in August. Straka was then the only member of the European Ryder Cup team (having qualified on points) who didn’t play in the DP World Tour’s BMW PGA Championship in September. Straka did, however, accompany the team on an early scouting trip to Bethpage Black, before the Europeans claimed a 15-13 road victory. Straka went 1-2 for the week, winning his Friday afternoon fourball match with partner Jon Rahm.

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Michael Reaves/PGA of America

“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,” Straka said. “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.

“Thank you for the thoughtful messages and ongoing support we have received over the past few months. I would like to extend my best wishes to all participants in the upcoming DP World Tour Playoff events and look forward to being back out there soon.”