Aaron Rai makes expected decision 24 hours after landing first major at PGA Championship

Aaron Rai has withdrawn from this week’s CJ Cup Byron Nelson at TPC Craig Ranch, less than 24 hours after capturing his first major title at the PGA Championship.

Rai, 31, informed PGA Tour officials of his decision on Monday morning following an emotional breakthrough victory at Aronimink, where he became the first Englishman in more than 100 years to win the PGA Championship.

South Korea’s Seung-yul Noh has replaced Rai in the field. 

Noh, currently ranked 370th in the world, arrives in Texas struggling for form after missing his last five cuts on the Korn Ferry Tour.

The former PGA Tour winner claimed his lone title on the circuit at the 2014 Zurich Classic of New Orleans when the event was still contested as an individual tournament at TPC Louisiana.

Meanwhile, Andrew Putnam has also withdrawn from the CJ Cup Byron Nelson field, with Austin Cook taking his place.

Rai, who has now climbed to a career-high 15th in the Official World Golf Ranking, produced the performance of his career on Sunday, firing a stunning final-round 65 to finish nine-under par and secure a three-shot victory over Jon Rahm and Alex Smalley.

He's also now up to 24th in the season-long FedEx Cup standings, and has secured his participation in the PGA Tour's remaining Signature Events next month.

Rai's triumph was sealed in unforgettable fashion when he drained a remarkable 70-foot birdie putt at the par-three 17th before calmly parring the final hole to claim the Wanamaker Trophy. 

Rai holed an astonishing 182 feet of putts during the final round in what was comfortably the finest display of his professional career.

The victory marked a historic milestone for English golf too. 

Rai became the first Englishman to lift the PGA Championship since Jim Barnes won the title in 1916 and 1919.

His win also ensured European players have captured the opening two men’s majors of the season for the first time in the modern era.

Remarkably, Rai arrived at Aronimink without previously recording a finish better than tied 19th in a major championship.

Following his life-changing victory, Rai is expected to spend the coming days celebrating with family and friends before returning to action later this month, hence his WD from the CJ Cup Byron Nelson. 

The Staffordshire-born star, who now lives in Jacksonville, Florida, paid an emotional tribute to his wife, Gaurika Bishnoi Rai, shortly after securing the title.

“She’s been incredible. I’m not exaggerating when I say that I wouldn’t be here without her,” said Rai.

“Both as a companion, as a friend, as someone I’m sharing my life with, but also as a real support system for my game.

“She’s a professional golfer herself, so her mindset, her advice, her thoughts — whether it’s technique or the way I’m holding myself — is absolutely invaluable.”

Rai revealed the pair even discussed strategy during a car journey back to the hotel on Saturday evening.

“We even had a conversation yesterday for probably 30 minutes in the car just before we got back to the hotel, just speaking a little bit about today,” he added.

“Some of the things that she mentioned in the conversation were really with me today.”

Originally from India, Bishnoi Rai is a Ladies European Tour professional and was previously ranked India’s No.1 women’s golfer in 2017 and 2019.

Meanwhile, this week’s CJ Cup Byron Nelson will still feature a strong field led by world number one Scottie Scheffler, who returns as defending champion after last year’s dominant eight-shot victory at 31-under par. 

Jordan Spieth, Si Woo Kim and Brooks Koepka are also teeing it up in Texas.

Check out our pick for the win here