Sepp Straka finished outside the top 70 in the Race to Dubai standings, but still gets to compete in the postseason
Sepp Straka will be in the DP World Tour playoffs thanks to a loophole(Image: Ben Jared, PGA TOURvia Getty Images)
Sepp Straka concluded outside the top 70 in the Race to Dubai standings, but due to his Ryder Cup performance for Team Europe at Bethpage Black in New York, he remains eligible to compete in the DP World Tour playoffs.
Straka was part of Luke Donald’s victorious 2025 Ryder Cup squad, as they beat the Americans 15-13 following their dominance over the opening two days. The 32 year old hasn’t competed since that triumph, with his last tournament being the PGA Tour’s Tour Championship in Atlanta at the conclusion of August before the Ryder Cup.
Straka stepped away due to personal family matters, with Luke Donald explaining that this was also why Straka didn’t participate at the BMW PGA Championship in September, before heading to New York. Straka was the sole European Ryder Cup team member who didn’t compete at Wentworth during the BMW Championship.
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Straka shared a personal update at Bethpage Black. “The last couple of months have been a bit of a roller coaster for my wife and I,” he revealed in New York.
“Little Thomas is doing well. He’s in the hospital, but he’s doing well.”
“You know, these guys, Luke and everybody, has been so unbelievable in supporting me.
Straka will be able to compete thanks to his appearance at Bethpage
“Yeah, I can’t thank everybody enough for the support that you guys are showing me throughout this whole thing.”
Straka’s comeback to golf is now confirmed, however, with the Austrian appearing on the entry list for next week’s Abu Dhabi HSBC Links Championship at Yas Links. The event at Yas Links marks the first of two DP World Tour playoffs, with Straka joining Shane Lowry and Ludvig Aberg in exploiting the Ryder Cup loophole to participate in the playoffs.
This will be Straka’s third DP World start of the season, following his appearances at the Genesis Scottish Open and the Ryder Cup. All DP World Tour members are required to play a minimum of four events (including the Ryder Cup) each year to retain their membership on the Tour.
Straka’s victory in New York signified his second consecutive Ryder Cup win, having also represented Europe at Marco Simone in 2023. Straka posted a 1-2 record at both Ryder Cup competitions, bringing his overall tally to 2-4-0.
