The PGA Tour announced that golfer J.J. Spaun has withdrawn from the 2026 Tour Championship after playing five holes during the first round on Thursday, Aug. 27.
Spaun elected not to continue playing at the PGA Tour’s season-ending event because of a shoulder injury, according to the Golf Channel broadcast, although the circumstances of how the injury occurred were not immediately known.
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He was shown being taken away from the course on a golf cart at East Lake Golf Club in Atlanta.
Spaun was 4-over-par through five holes. He had two bogeys plus a double bogey on the third hole on his card.
The 2025 U.S. Open champion finished 22nd in the FedEx Cup standings in 2026 to qualify for the Tour Championship. Spaun won the Valero Texas Open earlier this season. He was slated to play alongside Min Woo Lee during the opening two rounds at East Lake.
J.J. Spaun injury update
Spaun told the Golf Channel he woke up with “a sharp pain” near his shoulder blade on Tuesday morning. He believes the injury was caused by “a poor sleeping position.” Spaun hoped his condition would improve enough by Thursday after treatment, but he was nonetheless forced to withdraw after five holes due to the affect it was having on his swing.
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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: J.J. Spaun withdraws from 2026 Tour Championship with shoulder injury
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