Michael Thorbjornsen makes expected decision hours after securing first PGA Tour win

Michael Thorbjorsen has withdrawn from this week's Wyndham Championship, less than 24 hours after capturing his first PGA Tour title in Detroit. 

Thorbjornsen, 24, informed PGA Tour officials of his decision on Sunday evening following his emotional breakthrough victory in which he held off a chasing pack at the Rocket Classic that included two-time major champion Xander Schauffele. 

The victory secured him of his place the first of three play-off events next week and saw him pocket a cool $1.8m.

Thorbjornsen has been replaced in the field by Justin Lower.

Lower, currently ranked 285th in the Official World Golf Ranking, arrives in Greensboro, North Carolina, chasing his first PGA Tour title at the age of 37. 

He has struggled significantly this season, missing eight cuts from 16 starts and failing to crack the top 20 once.

Thorbjornsen isn't the only player that has withdrawn from the Wyndham Championship. Kristoffer Reitan and Brendon Todd have been replaced by Matt Kuchar and Kristoffer Ventura. 

Cameron Young will return to Sedgefield County Club as the defending champion. 

Thorbjornsen is now up to a career-high 40th in the OWGR following his win after he fired a faultless 7-under 63 to hold off a charging Schauffele. 

He's also up to 38th in the FedEx Cup standings. 

Only the top 70 players after the conclusion of the Wyndham Championship are assured starts at the FedEx St. Jude Championship.

From there, the field is whittled down to 50 for the BMW Championship the following week. 

Only the top 30 players will compete at the Tour Championship at East Lake. 

Thorbjornsen's triumph was sealed in unforgettable fashion, with the American sealing a 25-foot birdie putt at the 18th to effectively end the chasing packs hopes. 

"The feeling's unbelievable," he told reporters. "I don't really know how to feel. 

I'm feeling a lot of things, I can't really put the words to it. Just extremely, extremely grateful."

He also paid tribute to his caddie JJ Jakovac, his coach and parents. 

Jakovac is best-known for his stint with Collin Morikawa. Together, the pair won two major titles in quick succession.

Morikawa decided to part ways with Jakovac in 2025 and currently has Mark Urbanek carrying his clubs. 

"He's done an amazing job," said Thorbjornsen. "He's been with me for the past year now. 

"This was actually our first tournament together last year. 

"Obviously caddying for Collin for all of Collin's career up until last year, they've won majors together, they've won plenty of PGA Tour tournaments, they've been top-10 in the world for I don't know how long. 

"He knows what it looks like. I think that's kind of made it clear to me of like if I want to be the best player in the world, he knows what that looks like. 

"We're always kind of working towards something. Obviously, I mean we played well here last year but it just wasn't quite consistent enough.

"I think these past three tournaments I feel like I've played very solid golf and that's kind of given me some faith again that my ball-striking has kind of been my strength, but up until these last three weeks, it's kind of been one of my struggles."