Martin Kaymer may not be in his prime at the moment. There was a time when he had won two majors in a span of four years. Today, he competes in LIV Golf and takes a trip down to the United States a few times a year to participate in the majors. Kaymer did not need much extra motivation this week. One strange question at the Champions Dinner gave him exactly that.

“On Tuesday evening, we had the champion’s dinner, and there was a gentleman sitting next to me from the PGA of America, and he asked me 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.’ Of course I’m playing,” Kaymer told the reporters at the Aronimink Golf Club.

That question clearly touched a nerve. He is one of the few LIV Golf pros in the field, and as a LIV golfer, the question was pointed. Surely, Kaymer had not come all this way for old memories or a dinner seat. He had come to compete, and his reply carried that pride. For him, a major still means something bigger. That is why the official’s question hit him hard, and later, Kaymer admitted it gave him extra motivation for the tournament.

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“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,” the veteran golfer added.

Then came the best answer he could give, which was his golf. Martin Kaymer opened with a 3-under 67, stayed away from big mistakes, and put himself among the early leaders. That made the dinner-table moment feel less like a joke and more like a spark. If he makes the cut, then it will only be his third time playing the weekend rounds since 2018.

There was another reason the response carried weight. Kaymer said his body has finally felt better in recent weeks, and Aronimink suits his eye. When a player feels healthy and sees the course well, belief returns quickly. Anyway, the 2026 PGA Championship Champion’s Dinner must be the last thing on his mind. Especially with everything that is going on in the fairway right now and in Saudi Arabia over the last few weeks.

Martin Kaymer might be a bit distracted during the 2026 PGA Championship

After ending the first round at Aronimink Golf Club at the top of the leaderboard, Martin Kaymer will certainly have an eye on the Wanamaker Trophy. But that’s not where all his attention will be.

Back in October 2025, Kaymer was eager to re-sign with LIV Golf. Having enjoyed the first term of his contract with them.

Kaymer told Bunkered, “I think most of the contracts are up right now, and we’re in the process of it. I continue playing on LIV at least, hopefully, for the next five years. That’s my goal, that’s my hope, but I think it’s difficult to get a contract for five years. Also, I’m 40 years old. I need a contract that I feel comfortable with.”

Back then, he wouldn’t have thought that he would regret his decision in the next few months. Now that LIV Golf lacks the financial support of PIF, its future might be in trouble. Playing under such conditions for five years might not be ideal for the German national. So while he works hard at the Aronimink Golf Club this week, he would still be concerned about where he will be working in the next few months or the years to come.