Kaymer leads PGA Championship after citing Champions Dinner slight as motivation
The 41-year-old German attributes his return to form to being pain-free and a perceived snub by PGA of America officials, sharing the top spot with four other players.
Martin Kaymer has shared the early lead at the PGA Championship, carding a 3-under-par 67 at Aronimink Golf Club. The 41-year-old LIV Golf player attributed his strong opening round to motivation derived from a perceived slight at the PGA Champions Dinner, where he was reportedly asked by a PGA of America official if he still played golf.
Kaymer, who has struggled with injuries and form since joining LIV Golf in June 2022, stated he has been pain-free for the last four to five weeks. This recovery from left wrist and elbow issues has allowed him to practice consistently and rediscover his passion for the game, leading to his co-leadership alongside Aldrich Potgieter, Ryo Hisatsune, Stephan Jaeger, and Min Woo Lee.
The German veteran described his reaction to the Champions Dinner inquiry as a catalyst for his performance. “I'm not flying from Europe to here to have a New York strip with you guys. Of course I’m playing,” Kaymer said. “That really motivated me.” He noted that the incident, combined with his physical struggles, had been disappointing, as he felt unable to prepare adequately for tournaments while injured.
Kaymer’s recent competitive history has been challenging. Since joining LIV Golf, he has played only four majors, with results including a tied 73rd and a missed cut in the last two PGA Championships. He has missed five of his past six PGA cuts and currently holds a world ranking of No. 1,160, a significant drop from his previous peak of No. 1 in 2011. On the LIV circuit this season, he has played seven events with a low finish of tied 25th.
On the course, Kaymer birdied the 11th, 12th, and 2nd holes, while bogeying the 7th. He nearly secured a solo lead after hitting a driver from the fairway on the par-5 9th to within 15 feet, though he missed the subsequent birdie putt. The round took place in cool, gusty conditions with tricky rough and challenging green complexes, testing even the most experienced players on the leaderboard.
