Throughout his career, Martin Kaymer has shown poise, staying strong through the ups and downs of his time in pro golf. Sometimes, however, a golfer needs a little negativity to get motivated to play better.
That’s exactly what happened to Kaymer at this week’s 2026 PGA Championship. On Tuesday night at Aronimink, Kaymer got a little roughed up by an unidentified PGA official. He then used that diss as motivation to charge into a tie for the 18-hole lead.
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There’s a reason Kaymer is on the field this week, and it’s the same reason he’s attending the PGA Champions Dinner on Tuesday. Kaymer won the 2010 PGA Championship at Whistling Straits, beating Bubba Watson in a playoff for his first major title.
Kaymer added a second major title at the 2014 US Open and briefly topped the Official World Golf Ranking at No. 1.
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But in recent years, injuries and a move to LIV Golf have seen Kaymer struggle on the course and fade from the limelight.
That is, until Thursday. Kaymer came out firing in the first round on Aronimink. Starting on the back nine, he quickly bogeyed 11 and 12 to go two under. He would make two more birdies against one bogey over his entire round to finish with a three-under 67.
Those scores were as good as anyone’s on Thursday, leaving Kaymer tied for the seven-point lead. And it was the best Kaymer has worked a major in years. Last season, the PGA Championship was the only major he qualified for, and he missed the cut. Interestingly, Kaymer chose to skip the 2023 PGA Championship because it was scheduled between two LIV events.
“I’ve been playing well the last two, the last three at LIV. I haven’t had a good result, but I’ve been playing well. And I knew I was getting more consistency. I’m really enjoying playing this golf course. Monday, Tuesday, I’m very happy on the golf course. I think it’s good for my eye. It’s a good test. It’s good for his PGA Championship round,” Kaymer said after his round.
Martin Kaymer revealed a “funny” bit about a PGA official at the Champions Dinner
It turns out that Kaymer’s incredible performance was inspired, at least in part, by his struggles at the Champions Dinner.
In his post-round press conference Thursday evening, Kaymer was asked how his game felt heading into this week’s PGA Championship. He then shared what he called a “funny story” from the Champions Dinner, although the incident seemed to bother the two-time great striker more than he let on.
On Tuesday night, while the past champions dined on steak and chicken with defending champion Scottie Scheffler, an unnamed person from the PGA of America was sitting next to Kaymer. The official had the nerve to ask Kaymer if he was still playing golf professionally.
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“Tuesday evening we had the Champions Dinner, and there was a gentleman sitting next to me at the PGA of America, and he asked me what I would be, if I was still playing. And I said, ‘What do you mean?’ He said, ‘Are you playing this week?’” Kaymer shared.
Puzzled by this question, Kaymer gave a surprising answer.
“And I said, ‘Yeah, that’s why I’m here. I’m not flying all the way from Europe to have a slice of New York with you, you know, just kidding,'” Kaymer said Thursday.
He then admitted that the offhand diss “motivated” him to do his best this week.
“That gave me a lot of motivation. So it was a good start to the week. Also, I’m really enjoying the Aronimink Golf Course, it’s fun to play and I’m looking forward to another three good days,” Kaymer said.
With 14 players leading into Friday’s second round, Kaymer has worked hard for him even with his hot start.
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