LIV champion’s PGA dinner diss, sparks bullet charge: ‘Motivated me’

Throughout his career, Martin Kaymer has displayed a calm demeanor, staying calm amid the ups and downs of his time in pro golf. Sometimes, however, a golfer needs a little negativity to find the motivation to play his best.

And that’s exactly what happened to Kaymer this week 2026 PGA Championship. Tuesday evening at AroniminkKaymer suffered a minor blow at the hands of an anonymous PGA official. He then used that diss as motivation to charge into a tie for the 18-hole lead.

Former PGA champion Martin Kaymer charged in Aronimink brawl

There’s a reason Kaymer is on the field this week, and it’s the same reason he participated PGA Champions Dinner on Tuesday. Kaymer won the 2010 PGA Championship at Whistling Straits, edging 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.

But in recent years, injuries and a move to LIFE Golf have seen Kaymer struggling on the course and disappearing from the limelight.

That is, until Thursday. Kaymer came out firing in the first round on Aronimink. Starting on the back nine, he quickly birdied 11 and 12 to move to two under. During the rest of his round, he would make two more birdies against a bogey to finish with a three-under 67.

That score was as good as anyone’s on Thursday, leaving Kaymer in a seven-way tie for the lead. It was also by far the best Kaymer has performed in a major in many years. Last season, the PGA Championship was the only major he qualified for, and he missed the cut. Interesting, Kaymer chose to skip the 2023 PGA Championship because it was scheduled between two LIV events.

“I’ve been playing well the last two, three events at LIV. I didn’t have great results, but I was playing well. And I knew I was finding more consistency. I really enjoy playing this golf course. Monday, Tuesday, I had a lot of fun on the golf course. I think it really suits my eye. It’s a very fair test. Great for the PGA Championship after his round,” said Kay.

Martin Kaymer reveals ‘funny’ PGA official at Champions Dinner

It turns out that Kaymer’s stellar play was inspired, at least in part, by the slight he suffered at the Champions Dinner.

In his post-round press conference Thursday night, Kaymer was asked how his play felt at this week’s PGA Championship. He then shared what he called a “funny story” from the Champions Dinner, though the incident seemed to bother the two-time champion more than he let on.

Tuesday night, while the past champions were dining on steak and chicken parm with reigning champion Scottie Scheffleran unidentified figure from the PGA of America was sitting next to Kaymer. That official had the audacity to ask Kaymer if he was still playing golf professionally.

“Tuesday night we had the Champions Dinner, and there was a gentleman sitting next to me from the PGA of America, and he asked me if I was, if I was still playing. And I said, ‘What do you mean?’ He said, ‘Well, you’re playing this week?'” Kaymer said.

Annoyed by the question, Kaymer offered an epic retort.

“And I said, ‘Yeah, that’s why I’m here. I’m not going to fly from Europe to here to have a strip in New York with you guys, you know, of course I’m playing,'” Kaymer said Thursday.

He then admitted that the odd diss directly “motivated” him to do his best this week.

“That really motivated me. So it was a good start to the week. Again, I really like the Aronimink golf course, it’s fun to play and I hope I have another good three days,” Kaymer said.

With 14 players within a shot of the lead heading into Friday’s second round, Kaymer has his work cut out even with his hot start.