European Ryder Cup player WDs from inaugural PGA Tour event after disaster start

Rasmus Hojgaard withdrew from the inaugural Biltmore Championship after the opening round.

Hojgaard, 25, carded four birdies during Thursday's first round but also made two double bogeys and a triple bogey.

He finished the day at 7-over par, tied for last among the 132-player field at the Cliffs at Walnut Cove in North Carolina.

The Dane's 78 left him 14 strokes behind the first-round leaders and facing a difficult path to making the cut.

He did not return for Friday's second round and was listed as withdrawn.

No reason was immediately given for Hojgaard's withdrawal.

Hojgaard entered the Biltmore Championship ranked No. 72 in the Official World Golf Ranking.

He had finished fourth at the Rocket Classic in July and tied for 49th at the Wyndham Championship in August.

The Biltmore Championship is the first event of the PGA Tour's FedExCup Fall schedule.

The tournament is being played at the par-71, 7,249-yard Cliffs at Walnut Cove in Asheville, with a $5m purse and a $900,000 first prize.

American duo Max Gresyerman and Eric Cole shared the lead on 7-under after 18 holes.

The most surprising news of the day saw Alejandro Tosti's caddie storm off mid-round.

As for Hojgaard, he has struggled to carry the momentum of Europe's victorious Ryder Cup campaign into his 2026 season and has endured an inconsistent season on the PGA Tour.

The Dane has made 13 cuts in 18 PGA Tour starts, with two top-10 finishes and four top-25s.

His best result came at the Rocket Classic in July, where he shot a final-round 68 to finish fourth at 14-under par and earn $490,000.

He also tied for ninth at the Cognizant Classic in March.

He also missed cuts at the Puerto Rico Open, the Players, Charles Schwab Challenge, Open Championship and 3M Open.

Hojgaard's debut Ryder Cup appearance was a baptism of fire.

He only played two matches last September for Luke Donald's Europe.

First, he teamed up with Ludvig Aberg in the four-balls, and the pair were emphatically beaten 6&5 by an inspired Justin Thomas and Cameron Young.

Hojgaard was also defeated by Ben Griffin on the final hole of their singles battle.

His twin brother, Nicolai, has fared better this season.

Nicolai sits inside the top 50 of the OWGR and has only missed five cuts on the PGA Tour this season.