Golf & PGA Tour — 2026-05-22
Aaron Rai claimed the 2026 PGA Championship title at Aronimink Golf Club, while the golf world's biggest off-course story accelerated: LIV Golf is reportedly laying the groundwork for potential U.S. bankruptcy as Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund prepares to end its funding after the 2026 season. Meanwhile, Brooks Koepka made his return to the PGA Tour, and LIV star Peter Uihlein qualified for the U.S. Open for the first time since 2018.
Golf & PGA Tour — 2026-05-22
Tournament Recap
2026 PGA Championship — Aaron Rai Claims Major Title
Aaron Rai emerged victorious at the 2026 PGA Championship, held at Aronimink Golf Club in Newtown Square, Pennsylvania (May 14–17). The Englishman's win capped a dramatic final round that saw the leaderboard reshape throughout Sunday.
Heading into Sunday's final round, little-known Alex Smalley held the 54-hole lead — one of the tournament's notable storylines after his breakthrough performance.
Among the LIV Golf contingent, the Spanish pairing of David Puig and Jon Rahm were the only two LIV players to finish under par for the tournament. Bryson DeChambeau missed the cut, continuing his difficult stretch at the majors. In total, 11 LIV Golf players competed in the field at Aronimink.
THE CJ CUP Byron Nelson — In Progress
The PGA Tour's current event, THE CJ CUP Byron Nelson, is underway in McKinney, Texas this week.
Brooks Koepka Returns to the PGA Tour
Brooks Koepka is back on the PGA Tour after his stint with LIV Golf, and by all accounts, he is relishing the challenge. Koepka said he is "enjoying the grind" and approaches every week as a "fresh start," competing at the CJ Cup Byron Nelson event in McKinney, Texas.
Business of Golf
LIV Golf Laying Groundwork for Potential U.S. Bankruptcy
The most consequential story in professional golf this week: LIV Golf is reportedly laying the groundwork to potentially file for bankruptcy in the United States, according to a report from Bloomberg. The development comes as Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF) is pulling its funding from LIV Golf after the conclusion of the 2026 campaign.
Despite the dire reports, LIV Golf's leadership is moving forward with pitching a new business model to potential investors. The league is pressing ahead with plans even as the bankruptcy groundwork is laid, signaling an urgent search for a financial lifeline before the PIF fully withdraws.
The situation puts enormous leverage in the PGA Tour's hands. With LIV player contracts for several marquee names — including Bryson DeChambeau and Brooks Koepka — set to expire at the end of 2026, the question now dominating the golf world is whether, and on what terms, the PGA Tour would welcome LIV stars back.
Peter Uihlein Qualifies for U.S. Open
LIV Golf's Peter Uihlein punched his ticket to the U.S. Open through final qualifying, marking his first appearance at the tournament since 2018. Uihlein's dominant qualifying performance puts him back on one of golf's biggest stages after eight years away.
Coming Up
THE CJ CUP Byron Nelson continues this week in McKinney, Texas, with Brooks Koepka's return to the PGA Tour one of the key storylines to follow.
The U.S. Open looms on the horizon, with LIV Golf's Peter Uihlein among the newly qualified players. His return to major championship golf — after an eight-year absence from the tournament — will be one of the narratives to watch as the season's third major approaches.
The broader storyline hanging over all of professional golf remains the fate of LIV Golf itself. With the PIF funding clock ticking down and bankruptcy preparations underway, the coming weeks will likely bring major announcements about the league's future — and whether its top players will find themselves back on the PGA Tour by 2027.
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