Sepp Straka, fifth in the FedEx Cup, has withdrawn from the BMW Championship for family reasons but plans to play in the Tour Championship

Sepp Straka secured a T17 finish at the FedEx St. Jude Championship (Image: Getty)

Sepp Straka, currently fifth in the FedEx Cup standings, has announced he will withdraw from this week’s BMW Championship due to a family matter, according to a statement shared by his manager, Butler Melnyk.

The PGA Tour’s BMW Championship, where Tommy Fleetwood will look to make up for another agonizing and costly defeat, is the penultimate event in the FedEx Cup Playoffs and a critical tournament for players aiming to secure their spot in the season-ending Tour Championship.

Straka’s decision to sit out this week’s tournament, just after Rory McIlroy chose to snub the St. Jude Championship last weekend, comes as a surprise to many, given his strong position in the FedEx Cup standings and his recent impressive form on the PGA Tour.

Despite this setback, Straka’s team has confirmed he still intends to compete in the Tour Championship, the final and most prestigious event of the FedEx Cup Playoffs.

“For personal reasons, Sepp is unable to play this week. He intends to compete at the TOUR Championship, but requests privacy at this time as he attends to a family matter at home,” said Melnyk in an official statement.

Straka’s absence will be felt at the BMW Championship, held at the storied Caves Valley Golf Club in Maryland, where the top 50 players in the FedEx Cup standings gather to compete for one of the biggest prizes in golf.

With a $40 million FedEx Cup bonus on the line at the Tour Championship, every point and performance during these playoff events are crucial.

Currently ranked fifth in the FedEx Cup standings, Straka has had a standout 2025 season, securing victories at The American Express and the Truist Championship.

Sepp Straka WD from the BMW Championship due to a private family matter.

Statement from Straka’s manager Butler Melnyk: “For personal reasons, Sepp is unable to play this week. He intends to compete at the TOUR Championship, but requests privacy at this time as he attends to a…

— PGA TOUR Communications (@PGATOURComms) August 11, 2025

Despite missing the BMW Championship, he is expected to remain within the top 30, ensuring qualification for the TOUR Championship at East Lake next week. His absence reduces the BMW Championship field to 49 players.

Since joining the PGA Tour, Straka has accumulated four wins, including notable victories at the 2022 Honda Classic, the 2023 John Deere Classic, and the 2025 American Express.

His consistent performance has not only earned him a career-high world ranking of 7th in June of this year, but also approximately $28 million in career earnings, placing him among the top earners on the Tour.

Straka’s withdrawal follows a similar decision by Rory McIlroy, who also pulled out of last week’s FedEx St. Jude Championship. As the playoffs progress, the focus shifts to the remaining contenders vying for the coveted FedEx Cup title.