Multiple major champ withdraws from inaugural PGA Tour event

Multiple PGA Tour winner Justin Thomas has withdrawn from the Biltmore Championship. 

Thomas was one of the highest-ranked players in the field at Asheville Country Club and was using the tournament in North Carolina as valuable prep for the forthcoming Presidents Cup.

The 33-year-old two-time major champion was named as a captain's pick in the 12-man squad by Brandt Snedeker. 

No reason was given for his withdrawal, which was confirmed by the PGA Tour on 13 September. 

Thomas has been replaced in the field by Cameron Champ. The $5m event is the opening event of the FedEx Cup Fall series. 

Thomas has endured a largely solid but unspectacular 2026 season. 

He was made to wait until March to make his first start of the season at the Arnold Palmer Invitational after undergoing surgery on his back after the 2025 Ryder Cup. 

Thomas underwent a similar procedure to Tiger Woods. 

He opened with consecutive 79s to miss the cut at Bay Hill by a wide margin but steadily improved from there.

In the majors, Thomas shared 41st at the Masters, tied fourth at the PGA Championship, finished 17th at the U.S. Open and 65th at The Open. 

He qualified, comfortably, for the PGA Tour's playoffs but didn't advance to the Tour Championship. 

Reacting to his season on social media, Thomas wrote: "Most of the season felt like I was one round or stretch of holes away from holding a trophy come Sunday. 

"It's wild to think I’m a little over nine months removed from my microdiscectomy surgery, and was very pleased with how everything in my body felt this season. 

"A lot of hours and trust in my team to help me every step of the way."

Thomas was named one of Snedeker's six captain's picks for the Presidents Cup on 1 September alongside Chris Gotterup, Xander Schauffele, Patrick Cantlay, Jacob Bridgeman and Jackson Koivun. 

Scottie Scheffler, Cameron Young, Wyndham Clark, Sam Burns, Russell Henley and Collin Morikawa qualified automatically.

The 2026 Presidents Cup at Medinah Country Club will mark Thomas' fourth appearance in the biennial competition against the International team.

Thomas has been one of the United States' most successful players in the event, compiling 11 points from 15 matches in his three previous appearances.

The 2026 Presidents Cup begins on 24 September.