Home game for Straka: Quotes on the Austrian Alpine Open 2026

When the first balls hit the Tyrolean mountain air at the Kitzbühel-Schwarzsee-Reith Golf Club on Thursday, it will be about more than world ranking points and prize money. It's about childhood dreams, comeback stories and a man who will finally be able to tee off in front of his home crowd again after eight years. The Austrian Alpine Open 2026 has all the makings of an emotional golfing spectacle - and the protagonists provide the right words even before the first tee-off.

Here you can find the leaderboard of the Austrian Alpine Open 2026.

Sepp Straka: Back home at last

It is one of the rare privileges in professional sport: playing in front of your own fans, being cheered in your own language, in places you remember from your childhood. For Sepp Straka, this moment in Kitzbühel is long overdue. It has been eight years since the Viennese-born player last competed in a tournament in Austria - back then at the Shot Clock Masters, only his fifth start on the DP World Tour.

Since then, the 33-year-old's world has changed fundamentally. Four victories on the PGA Tour, including the Honda Classic 2022 as the first Austrian triumph on America's highest division. Two Ryder Cup participations, both successful. World ranking: currently 15th place. What has been missing in all this time: a victory on the DP World Tour - and a home tournament.

The fact that both could coincide this week in Kitzbühel gives the tournament a special charge. Straka himself chooses words that go deeper than the usual pre-tournament platitudes. "Growing up, I always went to the Austrian Open. Back then, it took place on my home course in Fontana. My brother and I and our friends could hardly wait for the week to watch the stars play golf," he told the DP World Tour. "To be able to play myself now is incredible - and to win would be really special."

He has already taken a close look at the new venue in Kitzbühel - and is impressed by the challenge. According to him, the course demands one thing above all: precision from the tee. "The Rough is quite dense and the greens are tiny. The game from the Tee will be crucial this week," Straka analyzed soberly - and added: "I can hardly wait for the spectators to get on the course."

As the clear top favorite and top-ranked player in the field, Straka carries the hopes of an entire nation. Does he also have the ease that makes the difference in moments like these? He provides the answer himself: "It's great to be back here. Whenever I can come back, it's wonderful."

Here you can find the Austrian Alpine Open Tee Times.

Nicolai von Dellingshausen: defending champion with a new perspective

Twelve months after his debut victory on the DP World Tour, Nicolai von Dellingshausen returns to Austria - this time not as an insider tip, but as the reigning champion. The German won the Austrian Alpine Open 2025 at Golfclub Gut Altentann with an outstanding final round and burst into tears. It was the breakthrough he had so desperately wanted after two and a half difficult years in which he lost his tour card.

Since then, more has changed in his life than just his status on the rankings. In February 2026, von Dellingshausen became a father - and this change has left a visible mark on him, even on the course. "A lot has changed, and at the same time a lot has stayed the same," he says. "I had a lot of momentum after the win, I played really well afterwards. At the same time, my expectations rose considerably, which doesn't normally help me."

The past few weeks have not gone according to plan. The 31-year-old admits this openly - and explains it with the biggest life change a person can experience. "We became parents about three and a half months ago and now everything is slowly settling in: the new role and - even if it sounds strange - the occasional loss of freedom. It's the greatest thing in the world, that's true, but I just have to keep working and be patient with my playing."

When von Dellingshausen talks about being a father, he sounds like someone who is coming to terms with a fundamental realization. "When you become a parent, you really grow up," he says. "It brings to light a lot of things that you may have suppressed before because you never had the need to look at them. It's a hard road, but it's worth it."

He has only known the Kitzbühel-Schwarzsee-Reith Golf Club since this week - but his assessment of the new venue sounds respectful. "It's pretty tight, you really have to hit it straight. The Rough is thick and the greens are in great condition. The views are stunning - I think I'm going to enjoy this week." He sums up his approach to defending his title with disarming composure: "I'm just trying to play golf again like I did last year. That worked well. Whatever happens this week - I will definitely enjoy it."

Bernd Wiesberger: The veteran with a tailwind

While Straka is waiting for his first DP World Tour title, Bernd Wiesberger has already won his nine times - most recently in April of this year at the Volvo China Open in Shanghai. At the age of 40, the Styrian shows that he is far from finished and returns to Austria as one of the most experienced players in the field.

Wiesberger is a piece of Austrian golf history: he won the domestic tournament back in 2012 and was the first Austrian ever to compete in the Ryder Cup - paving the way for successors like Straka. Anyone looking for heroes in Kitzbühel will find them with him.

The Austrian line-up: more than just extras

In addition to the two main actors Straka and Wiesberger, the rest of the Austrian line-up also boasts some interesting names. Maximilian Steinlechner is regarded as the most up-and-coming young Austrian professional and will be able to prove himself in the starting group with Thriston Lawrence and Martin Couvra. Matthias Schwab will compete together with Andrew Johnston and Julien Guerrier - and Lukas Nemecz completes an Austrian field that could hardly have been better in terms of breadth.

They are joined by other DACH representatives: Freddy Schott, Marcel Siem, Marcel Schneider and Yannik Paul make up the German line-up behind defending champion von Dellingshausen. Schott starts with Wiesberger and Mikael Lindberg - a group that could cause a sensation on the course.

Outlook: Who has the best cards?

The course in Kitzbühel presents everyone involved with the same challenge: narrow Fairways, dense Rough, small greens - and a mountain backdrop that can be a distraction despite all the spectacle. Straka and von Dellingshausen have both made their views clear: Whoever hits from the Tee holds the aces.

The international field is top-class. Casey Jarvis, two-time winner this year and currently fourth in the Race to Dubai standings, shares the starting group with Straka and von Dellingshausen - an opening pairing that should ensure a full field on Thursday from 07:50 (hole 10).

Kitzbühel awaits. And with it a home match that was long overdue.