Apr 9, 2026; Augusta, Georgia, USA; Sepp Straka talks with Justin Thomas on the second green during the first round of the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club. Mandatory Credit: Michael Madrid-Imagn Images
Sepp Straka returned to the Austrian Alpine Open this week for his first appearance since 2018.
The DP World Tour shared a video on X on May 27 featuring Sepp Straka ahead of the Austrian Alpine Open presented by Kitzbühel Tirol at Golfclub Kitzbühel-Schwarzsee-Reith.
"Growing up, I always went to the Austrian Open," Straka said. "It was at my home course at Fontana back in the day. I always went with my brother and our friends. We couldn't wait for the week to get there and go out and watch the stars play golf."
The 33-year-old reflected emotionally on his childhood when asked what winning his national open would mean to him.
Straka emphasized the importance of a potential victory. "Being able just to play in it is incredible. Winning it would be really special."
Straka is not just playing for emotional reasons. The highest-ranked player in the field, he became the first Austrian golfer to win on the PGA Tour with victory at the 2022 Honda Classic.
After winning the John Deere Classic in 2023, Straka added two more PGA Tour titles in 2025 at The American Express and the Truist Championship, while also helping Europe win Ryder Cups in Rome and New York.
His best result at this event was a tie for seventh in 2017, which came in just his fifth DP World Tour start.
Should he win, Straka would become just the third Austrian champion at his national open, joining record three-time winner Markus Brier and Bernd Wiesberger.
Sepp Straka's Course Read Signals He Came to Compete, Not Just Participate
Straka was direct about what Golfclub Kitzbühel-Schwarzsee-Reith will demand.
"It's really tight off the tee, so you're going to have to hit it pretty straight," he said. "The rough is pretty thick this year. The greens are tiny. So I think off the tee is going to be pretty important this week."
He also arrives in form. Straka has three top-10 finishes already this season: tied second at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am, tied eighth at The Players, and tied fourth at the Cadillac Championship.
Fellow Austrian Bernd Wiesberger is also in the field. Wiesberger won the Volvo China Open earlier this season by three shots and has recorded multiple top-15 finishes on tour this year.
"It's awesome to be back," Straka said. "Any time I can get back, it's amazing. And then being able to play a tournament here is really special."
Trending slideshow: The Complete Story of the DP World Tour: From Origins to Modern Era
Dolly Bhamrick
The Complete Story of the DP World Tour: From Origins to Modern EraThe DP World Tour’s story stretches from a modest European circuit in 1972 to a truly global tour spanning five continents. Built through vision, expansion, strategic partnerships, and legendary players, its evolution mirrors the growth of modern professional golf. This slideshow follows its origins, breakthroughs, alliances, and role in shaping world-class champions. Let’s get started with the DP World Tour. Corey Sipkin/ImagoThe Tour formally launched in April 1972, with the Open de España as its first official event. For the first time, Europe had a unified schedule offering structure, consistency, and opportunity. This marked the start of a coordinated professional circuit across eight countries, laying the foundation for everything that followed. Golffile Thos Caffrey via ImagoJohn Jacobs, former Ryder Cup player and revered coach, was instrumental in forming the European Tour. He pushed for standardized rules, professional administration, and financial stability. As Tournament Director from 1972 to 1975, his tenure shaped the Tour’s identity for decades and earned him recognition as its founding architect. As for the players, they had different battles to fight. IMAGO / Icon SportswireThe early years were defined by small prize funds, tight travel schedules and a growing calendar of events across Europe. Players frequently shared cars, accommodations, and travel routes as the Tour relied on resourcefulness more than resources, cultivating camaraderie and resilience. It was soon after that a big icon arrived for the European circuit. Stewart Kendall / Allstar / Mary Evans Picture LibraryThough not created by the Tour itself, Seve Ballesteros’ rise in the mid-1970s elevated European golf worldwide. Finishing alongside golf legends like Jack Nicklaus proved Ballesteros brought serious skill. Alongside Faldo, Woosnam, and Langer, he put Europe on the global golfing map, even winning the European Tour Order of Merit. Soon after, the Tour would expand its horizons. Imago/ColorsportIn 1982, the Tour held its first event outside Europe, the Tunisian Open at El Kantaoui. This breakthrough signaled a wider vision: taking European golf beyond its borders. Antonio Garrido took the win in the inaugural event, but the tournament only lasted until 1985, since the 1986 edition was cancelled due to a lack of funding. But the European Tour would not stop growing. Peter Stachiw/ImagoBy 1989, the European Tour had entered the Middle East, beginning a partnership with Dubai that would later become foundational. Events in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Qatar offered world-class infrastructure and significant investment. This expansion reshaped the Tour’s financial model and helped transform it from regional to global. Imago/United Archives InternationalThe Tour steadily expanded into Asia through tournaments in China, Malaysia, Singapore, Japan, and India. Over five decades, the Tour would visit 50 countries and 440 venues worldwide. These ventures introduced European golf to millions of new fans and positioned the Tour as an international circuit rather than a continental one. Golffile Fran Caffrey via ImagoBeneath the main circuit, the Challenge Tour emerged as a proving ground for rising talents. Combined with Q-School, the Tour’s long-standing qualifying system created structured pathways into elite golf. In just a few years, it created golf giants. In the meanwhile, there were lucrative opportunities waiting in store for players on the tour. Golffile Param Singh/EDI/ImagoThe historical Order of Merit eventually evolved into the Race to Dubai, a season-long points race modeled after other global tours’ ranking systems. This revamp added drama, rewarded consistency, and elevated the season finale. It helped modernize the Tour and gave fans a clear narrative across the European golf calendar. Kevin Dietsch/ImagoIntroduced in 2017, the Rolex Series created a premium tier of events featuring elevated prize funds and elite fields. These tournaments strengthened the Tour’s competitive appeal and global presence. They also provided players with a higher-performance stage, reinforcing the Tour’s identity as a world-class circuit amid growing international competition. IPA Sport via IMAGO / ABACAPRESSThe season’s climax takes place in Dubai at the DP World Tour Championship, a showcase of excellence that crowns the Race to Dubai champion. With a world-class course at Jumeirah Golf Estates and a global broadcast presence, this finale highlights the Tour’s enduring relationship with the Middle East and its global ambitions. IMAGO / Andre EngelmannA historic shift came when DP World became title sponsor, effective from the 2022 season. The rebrand to the DP World Tour signified deeper global ambition, increased investment, and long-term expansion. This partnership marked the most significant sponsorship agreement in the Tour’s history and strengthened its international positioning. Erich Schlegel-USA TODAY SportsDP World’s extended title partnership includes expanded investment in tournaments, infrastructure, scheduling, and fan experience. This agreement allows the Tour to elevate prize funds, diversify global markets, and enhance commercial stability. It reflects a shared vision to elevate professional golf on a worldwide scale and create long-term growth opportunities. Landon Bost/Naples Daily News/USA TODAY via ImagoToday, the DP World Tour spans Europe, Asia, Africa, the Middle East, and Australia. Its global footprint is unmatched by most major tours. This worldwide schedule exposes players to diverse climates, cultures, and course styles, from desert layouts to links masterpieces, making global adaptability a defining characteristic of Tour professionals. IMAGO / Andre EngelmannMany modern champions, including Rory McIlroy, Henrik Stenson, Justin Rose, Tommy Fleetwood, and Viktor Hovland, refined their skills on this Tour. Its varied conditions, strong competition, and international travel nurtured versatility. The DP World Tour has long served not only Europe but the world as a crucial arena for player development. Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire/ImagoGreats like Seve Ballesteros, Sir Nick Faldo, Bernhard Langer, Ian Woosnam, Colin Montgomerie, and later Henrik Stenson shaped eras of dominance. Their success elevated the Tour’s prestige and contributed to Europe’s rising global influence. Their careers remain intertwined with the Tour’s history and cultural impact across decades. Photo by Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire via ImagoEuropean Ryder Cup teams drew heavily from the DP World Tour, with its stars becoming the backbone of decades of success. Shared roots, tight competition, and constant travel fostered unity among Europe’s players. This synergy helped fuel Europe’s modern Ryder Cup culture, strengthening the Tour’s identity in global team golf. Ciro De Luca via IMAGO / ZUMA Press WireEvents like the BMW PGA Championship, Dubai Desert Classic, Irish Open, Scottish Open and Qatar Masters help anchor the Tour’s global identity. These tournaments blend tradition, strong international fields, and distinctive venues. And it’s not just about golf tradition. We’ve seen the sport grow with the modern age of technology. Grant Winter via IMAGO / Uk Sports Pics LtdOver the years, the Tour has embraced new media, analytics, and on-course technology to improve storytelling and fan engagement. Enhanced shot tracking, global broadcast partnerships, and data-driven insights have modernized the viewing experience. These innovations support growing international audiences and make the sport more accessible to new generations. David Rosenblum/Icon Sportswire/ImagoThe Tour’s official network, European Tour Destinations, links world-class golf resorts and host venues across the globe. These properties serve not only as tournament sites but also as hubs for tourism, training, and development, showcasing the Tour’s global reach and its commitment to high-quality golf infrastructure. Matthew Maxey/Icon Sportswire/ImagoThe DP World Tour Play-Offs format adds competitive intensity to selected events, offering sudden-death finishes when players tie. These playoffs often produce iconic moments, elevating tournament drama and fan engagement. They reinforce the Tour’s emphasis on competitive fairness and highlight its tradition of memorable, pressure-filled conclusions. Mike Watters-USA TODAY SportsBetween 2020 and 2023, the DP World Tour and PGA Tour strengthened a long-term strategic alliance. This agreement aligned scheduling, increased prize funds, expanded global pathways, and created new opportunities for DP World Tour members. The alliance helped stabilize the professional landscape during industry disruption and advanced global cooperation. Erich Schlegel-USA TODAY SportsThe DP World Tour has adapted through shifting economics, emerging rival leagues, and evolving global markets. Through restructuring, alliances, and sponsorship growth, it maintained competitive relevance while expanding opportunities for players. Its willingness to evolve has ensured its place as a stable and influential force in modern professional golf. Daniel Weir/ImagoFrom its traveling-circus beginnings to its global footprint today, the Tour has cultivated a community built on resilience, travel, and shared experience. Players, caddies, volunteers, and fans create a culture marked by diversity and unity. This sense of community remains central to the Tour’s identity and legacy.
You may also read: The Overnight Upgrade LIV Golf Delivered: From Modest Tours to Ultra-Luxury LivingDan Weir via ImagoWith global expansion, modern technology, long-term sponsorship, and strengthened partnerships, the DP World Tour is positioned for sustained growth. It continues to balance heritage with innovation, ensuring it remains a world-leading circuit. Its journey from 1972 to today reflects a powerful legacy and an even more ambitious future.
You may also read: Tiger Woods and Arnold Palmer: Moments That Revealed the Depth of Their RelationshipErich Schlegel-USA TODAY Sports
