Today in Golf

On May 13th, 2026, we dive into the practice round pressers at Aronimink Golf Club, highlighted by Rory McIlroy's stunning LIV Golf revelations, Bryson DeChambeau's career pivot, and a candid mental health update from Michael Block.RORY MCILROY & THE LIV COLLAPSEFresh off completing the career Grand Slam at the Masters, Rory McIlroy dropped a bombshell at Aronimink, revealing he knew about LIV Golf's impending post-2026 financial collapse back in March thanks to his caddie, Ricky McCormick."I am glad I was wrong," Rory admitted regarding his previous push for a PGA/PIF merger.Xander Schauffele added to the Rory hype train, calling McIlroy's current form "scary" considering he won the green jacket despite a poor driving week.JON RAHM & BRYSON DECHAMBEAU'S CROSSROADSTwo LIV stars face vastly different futures: Jon Rahm is battling an OWGR drop while chasing history, and 32-year-old Bryson DeChambeau is shockingly teasing a retirement from professional golf to become a full-time content creator.Bryson stated his goal is to "grow my YouTube channel three times" using multi-language dubbing, while Rahm remained defensive on his $300M defection: "That is for me to know."Rahm is deeply motivated by golf history, desperately wanting to capture the "Spanish Grand Slam" to tie past Spanish greats.SCOTTIE SCHEFFLER & MICHAEL BLOCKDefending PGA Champion and World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler took a surprisingly existential tone, while 49-year-old club pro Michael Block opened up about his mental health struggles and returning to his trusty "beater cut" swing.Scheffler mused that winning is "so fleeting" and pro sports is "a really weird thing to do," while Block candidly admitted regarding his sudden fame, "I was sick of Blockie too."Scheffler was caught on a hot mic joking with Gary Woodland about playing the Philadelphia Eagles on Thanksgiving, showing a lighter side to the philosophical World No. 1.Quick HitsMemorializing 85-year-old Jim Colbert and his signature bucket hat • Colbert survived prostate cancer and was dubbed the "best player director" by Deane Beman • We cleared out all the off-course drama today so we can focus purely on the golf tomorrow!

On May 12th, 2026, we dive into the looming collapse of LIV Golf, preview a brutal PGA Championship at Aronimink without Tiger or Phil, and celebrate Brandt Snedeker's emotional comeback victory.LIV GOLF'S FINANCIAL CLIFFThe Saudi PIF is reportedly ending its financial backing of LIV Golf after 2026, sending shockwaves through the sport as stars scramble for exit strategies and mid-tier players face an uncertain future.Jon Rahm is eyeing the DP World Tour, admitting he doesn't "see many ways out" of his contract, while Rex Hoggard notes the PGA locker room sentiment on Bryson DeChambeau is "trust me no one really wants you back."Graeme McDowell is openly expressing deep anxiety that the league's mid-tier roster will soon have "nowhere to go."PGA CHAMPIONSHIP AT ARONIMINKThe year's second major heads to Aronimink, but the tournament is missing its biggest icons: Tiger Woods is in out-of-country rehab following a DUI arrest, and Phil Mickelson withdrew for his wife Amy's health.The course features a staggering 174 bunkers, and Keegan Bradley called the lengthened 18th hole "brutal," adding he "could not believe they have lengthened it forty yards."Trey Wingo didn't mince words about Mickelson's future, stating Phil's PGA Tour bridges are officially "nuked" and "lasered to death."MAJOR PREP & TGL'S WRESTLING TAKEOVERPlayers are taking bizarre routes to prep for Aronimink, from Bryson DeChambeau playing Cedar Crest blind to simulate stress, to Jordan Spieth using reverse psychology for his Career Grand Slam bid.Spieth's new major championship mantra? "The easiest way to win is to not try."The TGL SoFi Center is hosting AEW's "Fairway To Hell" with Darby Allin, prompting one fan to joke, "this is how bad TGL is doing they have to rent it out to wrestlers."WEEKEND WINNERS & RETRO STORIESBrandt Snedeker snapped a massive 2,821-day win drought at the Myrtle Beach Classic following experimental sternum surgery, while Lucas Herbert went wire-to-wire at LIV Virginia despite being violently ill.Snedeker was spurred to victory by a text from his daughter to "Go play fearless," allowing him to finally get "back to work," while Herbert's gutsy win earned him a US Open exemption at Shinnecock Hills.MLB veteran Jeff Francoeur once faked a high ankle sprain to Braves manager Bobby Cox in 2006 just so he could sneak off and play a round of golf with Tiger Woods.Quick HitsQuail Hollow officially closes its doors • Lucas Herbert holds off Sergio Garcia for the LIV Virginia title • Shinnecock Hills US Open exemptions take shape

On May 11th, 2026, we recap a wild Sunday at the Truist Championship where Norwegian rookie Kristoffer Reitan secured a life-changing victory while Rory McIlroy made waves with his new perspective on LIV Golf defectors.THE TRUIST CHAMPIONSHIP28-year-old Norwegian rookie Kristoffer Reitan secured a life-changing $3.6 million victory at 15-under par, surviving Quail Hollow's brutal Green Mile in even par after qualifying through the Aon Swing Eight."It's a dream come true," Reitan told Amanda Balionis about finally finding his game again.Reitan nearly quit golf in 2021 to become a YouTuber, and credits his parents for sacrificing their family Christmases to fund his winter practice sessions in Spain.RICKIE FOWLER'S FEVER DREAMBattling a 103-degree fever, Rickie Fowler fired a front-nine 30 inspired by motocross star Ken Roczen to secure a T2 finish, though his momentum was ultimately derailed late.Trevor Immelman noted that a brutal 10-minute wait on the 17th tee completely "iced him out."Ever the class act, Fowler made sure to leave behind some signature Puma hats in the locker room for Johnson Wagner.ALEX FITZPATRICK'S HEARTBREAKThe 54-hole leader suffered a final-round collapse, battling early struggles before a devastating double bogey on the 17th hole erased a brief back-nine rally fueled by deep putts.Showing incredible grace, Fitzpatrick noted post-round that it is "crazy to be disappointed" with his week.The ultimate silver lining for the Fitzpatrick family? Alex's brother, Matt, announced he is expecting a child.RORY MCILROY & LIV GOLFDespite a T19 finish hindered by a painful right pinky toe blister and a late-night 100-ball range session, Rory made headlines by softening his stance on LIV defectors returning.McIlroy called welcoming players back "good business practice," while jabbing that LIV's sovereign wealth fund is finding players "too expensive."Even with his shifting perspective on the business of golf, Rory reiterated his unwavering loyalty to the PGA Tour.Quick HitsCameron Young stumbles to a Sunday 74 • Nicolai Hojgaard grabs T2 despite a costly bogey on 16 • Mackenzie Hughes apologizes to staffer Gary Cooper for a Saturday errant tee shot • Looking ahead to the PGA Championship at Aronimink

On May 10th, 2026, Moving Day at the Truist Championship delivered chaotic bunker shots, near-course records, and a solo 54-hole lead for Alex Fitzpatrick at 14-under.THE WAKE FOREST SHOWFormer Wake Forest teammates Alex Fitzpatrick and Cameron Young dominated Moving Day. Fitzpatrick fired a 64 to take the solo lead at 14-under, while Young shot a blistering 63, just missing the course record after a bogey on 18.Trevor Immelman called Fitzpatrick's back-foot sand wedge on the 12th "clever and a wonderful golf shot," while Young dubbed the 16th hole "impossible" and praised Alex's short game.Fitzpatrick admitted to getting "goosebumps" on the course, crediting his brother Matt's mentorship and giving a massive shoutout to the "Demon Deacons."SUNGJAE'S CHAOTIC SATURDAYSungjae Im sits at 10-under after a wildly chaotic round, featuring a barefoot escape from the water on 14 and a bladed bunker shot on 15 that ricocheted 70 yards off a fence back into the exact same trap.CBS's Johnson Wagner recreated the barefoot water shot, warning viewers about the "slick" algae and the danger of catching your shirt on the grip.Kristoffer Reitan sits in solo second at 13-under, ironically qualifying for this event via a double bogey last week involving Alex Smalley.ACES, EAGLES, AND ERRANT SHOTSQuail Hollow was an absolute highlight reel on Saturday. Nico Echavarria nailed a hole-in-one on the 17th, Sudarshan Yellamaraju holed out for eagle from 101 yards, and Rory McIlroy shot a disappointing 75 to fall out of contention.Echavarria's ace broke Colt Knost's 11-year drought on the 17th hole, prompting a hilarious mid-air shout of "Get in no!"Mackenzie Hughes accidentally hit cameraman "Gary The Sweeper" in the head on the 13th hole, but quickly smoothed things over by apologizing with a gift.Quick HitsShane Bacon calls pros "lemmings" over Cam Young's elite putting • A veteran chasing pack features Nicolai Hojgaard, Justin Thomas, and Tommy Fleetwood • Fitzpatrick's 64 was fueled by a blistering front-nine 30

On May 8th, 2026, we break down opening rounds across the globe, featuring emotional family triumphs, equipment tweaks from the game's biggest stars, and a grueling day for a major champion.TRUIST CHAMPIONSHIP AT QUAIL HOLLOWRory McIlroy dazzled with a towering 154-foot apex shot over the trees on the 2nd hole, while Jordan Spieth is testing a 46-inch driver shaft in a race to capture the career Grand Slam at Aronimink.Spieth is highly motivated to beat Scottie Scheffler to the milestone, stating his desire to "get the needle back."McIlroy debuted a new 3-wood to fix a left miss and birdied the 18th hole just to avoid pulling a "full Faldo"—a round of 18 straight pars.MIZUHO AMERICAS OPENMichelle Wie West endured a grueling opening round, carding a 10-over 82 while battling severe mental hurdles on the course ahead of her final start at Riviera."Dark, very dark, it got very grim on hole nine," Wie West admitted, adding, "Golf can take you places and I went places today."In a desperate bid to find a spark, she made a mid-tournament switch to a claw putting grip.MYRTLE BEACH CLASSICEighteen-year-old amateur Blades Brown is making a push for a PGA Tour Special Temporary Membership, but the real story is his family's incredible resilience off the course.Blades noted his father, Parke, has defied a six-month leukemia prognosis, saying he "looked cancer right in the face and said not today."Brown is balancing the immense pressure of professional golf milestones with the emotional weight of his father's inspiring health battle.LIV GOLF VIRGINIALucas Herbert grabbed the early lead, while Jon Rahm carded a late eagle on 17 and Bryson DeChambeau battled through a lingering 2025 Ryder Cup shoulder injury to shoot a 1-under 69.DeChambeau described playing through his shoulder pain as "uncomfortable YouTube golf."Rahm's Legion XIII squad wore special outfits to honor the 15th anniversary of Seve Ballesteros' passing, and Graeme McDowell had a wild break when his approach hit a leaning flagstick on the 5th.Quick Hits11-year-old Madelyn Dickerson shot consecutive 76s at the US Women's Open Naples qualifier • The young phenom navigated tricky, grainy greens by relying on a "hot" putter • She leaned heavily on her "nine wood and hybrid" to compete against the older field

On May 7th, 2026, the golf world reels from the Saudi PIF pulling LIV's future funding, while Rory McIlroy defends his major prep schedule and Phil Mickelson makes a surprise withdrawal from Aronimink.LIV GOLF'S FINANCIAL SHOCKWAVEThe Saudi PIF is officially pulling LIV Golf's post-2026 funding, sending shockwaves through the league. Graeme McDowell finally dropped the "growing the game" PR script, while a blindsided Bryson DeChambeau pivots to expanding his YouTube empire globally.McDowell admitted, "this is good for my bank account," while DeChambeau jabbed at the PGA Tour's recent 56-person layoffs, noting they are "not doing great either."Eamon Lynch dubbed the entire financial standoff and narrative shift between the rival tours a "high stakes game of chicken."PGA CHAMPIONSHIP & PHIL'S WITHDRAWALPhil Mickelson has officially withdrawn from the 108th PGA Championship at Aronimink due to family reasons, leaving fans wondering about his future in the sport. Max Homa will take his spot in the field.When asked about his return to competitive golf, Mickelson admitted, "I honestly do not know" if he will play again this year.Despite the sudden absence of Phil's "gravitas" (as noted by Scott O'Neil), the tournament marches on with Homa stepping up to the plate.RORY MCILROY AT QUAIL HOLLOWAhead of the Truist Championship, Rory McIlroy defended his decision to skip Signature Events to prep for majors, comparing his and Scottie Scheffler's scheduling cadence to a legendary blueprint."That is what Tiger used to do," McIlroy stated regarding his major championship preparation strategy.Rory laughed off Irish backlash over his Wagyu Masters menu by teasing a 2027 "Taco Tuesday," and shared a sweet story about his daughter Poppy eating grilled cheese in the Butler Cabin.Quick HitsRickie Fowler dubs himself an "Orange Maxxer" to launch a Tropicana custom golf cart contest • McIlroy and Xander Schauffele headline tomorrow's Truist Championship opening round • Creator-turned-pro Ryan Ruffels and Brooks Koepka tee off tomorrow at the ONEflight Myrtle Beach Classic

On May 6th, 2026, we break down Jon Rahm's multi-million dollar Ryder Cup lifeline, debate the merit of Dustin Johnson's major exemption, and unpack the growing player burnout crisis threatening the PGA Tour's Signature Events.DP WORLD TOUR / RYDER CUPJon Rahm has officially secured his 2027 Ryder Cup eligibility at Adare Manor after striking a massive $3 million conditional release agreement with the DP World Tour to settle his outstanding fines."I was never worried about that," Rahm stated, following the DP World Tour's official confirmation statement.Rahm's unwavering confidence pays off, ensuring the European squad keeps one of its most fiery and passionate competitors for the highly anticipated clash in Ireland.PGA CHAMPIONSHIP / MAJORSDustin Johnson received a highly controversial special exemption into the 108th PGA Championship at Aronimink Golf Club, sparking a fierce debate over legacy versus merit as rising stars are left out.DJ is currently ranked #468 in the world, prompting one outraged fan to call it a "total waste of an exemption" that should have gone to rising star Jackson Koivun.Despite the intense backlash, a nonchalant DJ remains thrilled to bypass the qualifying criteria, stating, "Very excited. I want to play in all the majors."PGA TOUR / SCHEDULING CRISISA severe scheduling crisis is causing player burnout, highlighted by Scottie Scheffler skipping the Truist Championship at Quail Hollow as the Future Competition Committee scrambles to fix the bloated calendar.Matt Kuchar issued a stark warning comparing Signature Events to defunct WGCs: "Part of me wonders how much of an appetite there is for twenty major tournaments."Brian Rolapp is left asking "how do you actually drive a competitive schedule" when even the world's best players are forced to skip premier events just to catch their breath.EQUIPMENT NEWSThe gear world is shaking up as Brooks Koepka becomes a free agent ahead of the Myrtle Beach Classic, while Justin Rose endures a disastrous debut with his new McLaren Golf irons at Doral.Dunlop Sports bid farewell to Koepka, releasing a statement calling him an "exceptional ambassador" during their successful run together.Rose's early struggles with McLaren are giving fans serious déjà vu, drawing painful comparisons to his infamous 2019 slump after switching to Honma.Quick HitsR&A CEO Mark Darbon warns LIV-driven prize inflation hurts grassroots, noting every extra dollar in purses comes out of reinvestment • Women's TGL officially adds Minjee Lee and Celine Boutier to the roster • Nelly Korda remains noticeably absent from the Women's TGL lineup

On May 5th, 2026, the golf world was rocked by LIV Golf's impending financial ruin and Tiger Woods' 90-day rehab stint, while Nelly Korda dominated the LPGA and YouTube golf officially went pro.LIV GOLF'S FINANCIAL COLLAPSEThe Saudi PIF is officially withdrawing LIV Golf's funding after 2026, prompting Yasir Al Rumayyan's resignation and CEO Scott O'Neil to hire Ducera as the breakaway league faces total financial ruin and widespread player panic.Bryson DeChambeau called PGA Tour return rumors "completely untrue," while Thomas Pieters insists he "never liked that life."Despite the crumbling infrastructure around them, some LIV defectors are stubbornly refusing to even entertain a return to their former PGA Tour routines.TIGER WOODS' REHAB HIATUSFollowing a recent DUI, Tiger Woods has checked into a 90-day rehabilitation facility in Zurich, effectively ending his 2026 USGA season and shifting the 2027 Ryder Cup captaincy outlook toward Jim Furyk.Tiger stated his need to "prioritize my well being," while USGA CEO Mike Whan confirmed his absence for the year.The sudden hiatus leaves a massive leadership void for Team USA, positioning veteran Jim Furyk as the unexpected frontrunner to take the reins.NELLY KORDA'S HISTORIC WINNelly Korda secured a dominant four-shot victory at the Riviera Maya Open, riding an incredible 60-hole bogey-free streak before surviving a wild finish deep in the jungle on the final hole.After scrambling for a closing bogey, Korda admitted she felt "humbled by golf."Even during a historic, near-flawless tournament run, Korda proved she's human by blasting an errant drive straight into the jungle on the par-5 18th.THE CREATOR GOLF REVOLUTIONYouTube golf is formalizing as Ryan Ruffels defeated Grant Horvat in a shootout at The Q to qualify for the ONEflight Myrtle Beach Classic, coinciding with a massive new creator-driven circuit.Ruffels is fully embracing his "content creator" identity as Horvat and the Bryan Brothers launch the $1M "Your Golf Tour."The lines between professional golf and YouTube entertainment are officially blurred, with massive prize pools now backing the internet's biggest golf stars.Quick HitsKevin Kisner rants the USGA ball rollback is "one of the dumbest things ever" because people are "scared to move a tee back" • Scottie Scheffler takes a well-deserved rest week • Rory McIlroy returns at the Truist Championship at Quail Hollow on his 37th birthday ahead of his Grand Slam pursuit at Aronimink