The BMW Championship is the second of three FedEx Cup Playoffs this week but the star-studded field is missing a key name – Austria’s Sepp Straka.
The world number ten has won two PGA Tour events this year and has earned the fourth-highest amount of prize money in 2025, though he won’t be adding to it this week at the BMW Championship.
He’s the highest earner on the circuit this year without a Major win and currently sits fifth in the FedEx Cup standings, but will miss the penultimate event before the season-ending Tour Championship.
Straka’s withdrawal after securing his place in the coveted top 50, who make the exclusive BMW Championship field, was confirmed by the PGA Tour on Monday, with the reason given referred to as a private family matter.
It’s been the Austrian’s most successful season to date, with the 32-year-old manager, Butler Melnyk, stressing the personal nature of the situation to the PGA Tour:
“Sepp (Straka) intends to compete at the Tour Championship but requests privacy at this time as he attends to a family matter at home.”
Unlike some recent high-profile absences from the post-season series that raised eyebrows, Straka’s decision is rooted in family first and a reminder that even elite athletes can face unpredictable situations.
This marks the second consecutive FedEx Cup Playoff event where the field is not at full strength for the lucrative three-event series.
Last week, Rory McIlroy made headlines at the FedEx St. Jude Championship by exploiting a loophole that allowed him not to compete and instead rest during the first Playoff event.
The Northern Irishman’s Masters win and two PGA Tour titles meant he had a big enough advantage in the FedEx Cup standings to exploit a change in the rules and opt out of the first marquee event in Memphis.
The world number two’s absence raised questions and stirred frustration among fans and officials alike, with Peter Malnati, a PGA Tour Playing Director, expressing his concern.
When discussing what needs to be done to avoid repeated weaker fields, he admitted: “I think that there is stuff in the works, and I’ll leave it at that.”
The new post-season structure, which includes the removal of starting stroke advantages, has allowed players to exploit a loophole and gain an advantage in managing their schedules.
Sepp Straka’s situation is different: there will be no Playoff replacements
Straka’s case is quite different; the Austrian has had a brilliant 2025 season with two PGA Tour wins and multiple top-10 finishes.
His absence at the BMW Championship isn’t a calculated rest but a necessary personal decision.
Straka’s spot on the events leaderboard will be vacant as the PGA Tour announced the Baltimore event will proceed with a 49-man field as opposed to the traditional 50 players who advance from the previous event.
They have insisted that no alternates are permitted in the Playoffs; instead, a smaller field will tee it up this week.
