Aaron Rai won the 108th PGA Championship at Aronimink Golf Club and then told tournament officials he will withdraw from next weekend’s CJ Cup Byron Nelson at TPC Craig Ranch, taking time off after his first major title.
Aaron Rai’s first major championship came on the 108th playing of the PGA Championship. and he followed it by stepping back from his next scheduled start.. After finishing his final round at Aronimink Golf Club with a 5-under 65. Rai closed with a 9-under total and a three-shot victory over Jon Rahm and Alex Smalley.
The turning point arrived late in his round on the par-3 17th hole. where Rai holed what he described as an eye-catching 68-foot birdie putt.. “That putt on 17 was incredible,” Rai said after his round.. “I was just trying to focus on speed and get it close.. It started to look really good line-wise with probably about 15 feet to go.. Slowed up really nicely as well.. So, it just kind of conspired all together for that ball to go in the hole.”
Rai. 31. had entered the 2026 PGA Championship with just one career PGA Tour victory. making the win a major leap from where he began the week.. By Monday. he had made his next decision as well: he informed tournament officials of his withdrawal from this coming weekend’s CJ Cup Byron Nelson at TPC Craig Ranch.
The day-to-day schedule shift is straightforward. but the chain of events is clear: Rai earned the PGA Championship title with a final-round 5-under 65 and a 9-under tournament total. then. after the win. used Monday’s withdrawal notice to remove himself from the very next tournament on the calendar. the CJ Cup Byron Nelson at TPC Craig Ranch.. The same week also positioned the field around prominent names, even as Rai opted out.
The CJ Cup Byron Nelson field will be headlined by World No.. 1 golfer Scottie Scheffler, the reigning champion of the event.. Scheffler did not capture the PGA Championship this time. finishing T14 at 2-under for the tournament—an outcome that sets the stage for the next chapter at Craig Ranch after Rai’s brief pause.
Aaron Rai PGA Championship CJ Cup Byron Nelson TPC Craig Ranch Aronimink Golf Club Scottie Scheffler Jon Rahm Alex Smalley golf