LIV Golf star admits insulting question inspired fast PGA Championship start

Martin Kaymer has revealed an unintentionally insulting question from a PGA of America official sparked his fast start at the 2026 PGA Championship.

The 41-year-old German raced out of the blocks at Aronimink Golf Club on Thursday, carding a three-under 67 to share the lead alongside a group of seven players that included world number one Scottie Scheffler. 

Kaymer made the switch to LIV Golf in 2022 but has been plagued by injuries ever since, particularly with his wrist. 

He is among the 156-man field this week courtesy of an exemption for winning the 2010 PGA Championship. 

Kaymer came into the second men's major of the year not expecting a good result, but told reporters after his first round that he knew he was playing well despite not cracking the top 25 in any LIV event this season. 

"But I tell you funny story," Kaymer told reporters after the first round. 

"On Tuesday evening we had the [past] champion's dinner, and there was a gentleman sitting next to me from the PGA of America, and he asked me if I would be, if I still play. 

"And I said: 'What do you mean?' He said, 'Well, are you playing this week?' And I said, 'Yeah, that's why I'm here. I'm not flying from Europe to here to have a New York strip with you guys, you know, of course I'm playing.'

"And that really motivated me. So it was a good start to the week. Again, I really enjoy Aronimink Golf Course, it's fun to play and I look forward to hopefully have another three good days."

Kaymer is probably best known for holing Europe's winning putt at the 2012 Ryder Cup at Medinah. 

During his pomp, he won two majors and reached the world number one position in 2011 and stayed there for eight weeks. 

Since winning the 2014 U.S. Open, Kaymer has suffered a downturn in form - only cracking the top 10 once in a major. 

"I've been struggling since 2021," Kaymer added. 

"And obviously I had a couple surgeries then and other issues came with it the years after. 

"And it was quite disappointing for me that playing out there on the LIV Golf league I could never really perform, because I could never really practice, because I was always hurt. 

"I didn't really have enough time and enough rest in between events to rest, to have a fully rest.

"So I always came into tournaments never prepared. The other guys were ready to play. They were playing great."

Kaymer added: "To be honest, it really p----- me off. So fortunately last four, five weeks I had great treatments, I have no pain any more. 

"Everything is going the right direction. I can practice. It's fun. I have a great passion for the game. 

"Playing those tough golf courses and doing well executing the golf shots the right way, that is really fun."

Kaymer is one of 11 LIV Golf players in the field this week. 

He led the LIV Golf leaderboard at the PGA Championship after round one. 

Joaquin Niemann, Jon Rahm and Cameron Smith also started well. 

Bryson DeChambeau performed below his best, labouring to an opening six-over 76 and a battle just to make the cut. 

Keep checking GolfMagic for all the latest updates from the PGA Championship.