Brendan Valdes, who turned professional last summer after finishing No. 2 in PGA TOUR University, is stepping away from golf after being diagnosed with cancer.

In a social media post Wednesday, Valdes said he was recently diagnosed with primary mediastinal lymphoma. Valdes will take an indefinite leave from the Korn Ferry Tour while he undergoes treatment.

Valdes, 22, has already completed his first round of chemotherapy. He said he expects to be back on the golf course and completely healthy sometime this year.

“Life, like golf, is often unpredictable,” Valdes wrote on social media. “A month ago, I was preparing for the start of my first full season on the Korn Ferry Tour when, during a medical exam, a mass was discovered in my chest. After further testing, I was diagnosed with primary mediastinal lymphoma, requiring me to step away from the Korn Ferry Tour.”

Valdes was part of a star-studded Auburn golf team that won the 2024 NCAA Championship. He left the school in June as a three-time All-American with school records in career birdies, top 10s and rounds in the 60s. He is second in career scoring average behind Jackson Koivun, who earned his PGA TOUR card through the TOUR’s University Accelerated Program.

Valdes made four of 11 cuts in his first partial season on the Korn Ferry Tour last summer. He finished in a tie for third at the Price Cutter Charity Championship presented by Hiland Dairy Foods. He also made three PGA TOUR starts last year, making the cut in all three. His best finish was a T20 at the 3M Open.

“I want to thank my sponsors, Callaway and Adidas, for being in my corner,” Valdes wrote. “I also want to thank the PGA Tour and Korn Ferry Tour staff for their continuous support, as well as clarity around navigating my path back to competitive golf. Most importantly, I have endless gratitude for my team of doctors, my family and, most especially, my fiancée Rachel. I’m grateful for all the words of encouragement, and I look forward to a return to competition.”