Rory McIlroy sits atop the Masters leaderboard after the opening round, while Bryson DeChambeau and Jon Rahm struggle to make the cut at Augusta, signaling a tight early contest at the iconic golf tournament.
Jon Rahm opened The Masters with a six-over 78, failing to birdie for the first time in his Masters career. A costly double-bogey on the 13th after a wayward drive derailed his round, leaving him 11 shots behind and in danger of missing the cut, with him acknowledging that particular mistake as the day’s biggest frustration.
The Masters 2026 begins at Augusta National with Rory McIlroy defending the green jacket as live updates track opening tee-times, early birdies and the initial leaderboard, including Jose Maria Olazabal (-2) among early leaders and a pack of challengers led by Rahm, Fitzpatrick, Fleetwood and MacIntyre.
Bryson DeChambeau edged Jon Rahm in a playoff at LIV Golf’s inaugural South Africa event in Steyn City, Johannesburg, finishing 26 under alongside Rahm. DeChambeau birdied the first playoff hole (par-5 18th) to win £3m, after Rahm’s approach found trouble and his birdie attempt slid by, triggering an emotional celebration as DeChambeau claimed back-to-back LIV titles with the tour heading to Mexico next.
Akshay Bhatia surged on the back nine to win the Arnold Palmer Invitational at Bay Hill, his third PGA Tour title, including a late run that forced a playoff with Daniel Berger and capped by a one-hole victory; meanwhile Jon Rahm snapped a 539-day win drought with a three-stroke win in Hong Kong, his final-round 64 propelling him back into title contention ahead of the Masters. The weekend also highlighted concerns for Scottie Scheffler’s iron play, suggesting he’ll need improved ball-striking as he heads toward The Players. Overall, Rahm’s return gives him Masters momentum, while Bhatia’s rise signals a new capstone in his young career.
Jon Rahm shot a final-round 64 to win the LIV Golf event in Hong Kong, finishing ahead of Thomas Detry who was second on 20 under after entering the final day tied at 17 under; Rahm's win marks his third LIV title and first since 2024, and he had helped Detry and eight LIV players leave the Middle East by arranging a private jet amid regional conflict.
McIlroy says the DP World Tour’s deal for LIV players is generous and keeps membership and Ryder Cup eligibility intact, even as it complicates Jon Rahm’s 2027 Ryder Cup chances. Eight LIV members accepted the deal; Rahm rejected the four-event minimum, and Luke Donald was named Europe captain for 2027, underscoring McIlroy’s view that the Ryder Cup is bigger than any one player.
Eight LIV Golf players based in or traveling through the Middle East faced travel delays due to the ongoing conflict, but seven had flown out on a private flight arranged by Jon Rahm and all eight remained on the Hong Kong tee sheet for this week’s LIV event, with LIV providing support to travelers. The disruption mirrors wider travel issues in the region, including other athletes like Daniil Medvedev who were stranded in Dubai as airspace and airports faced restrictions.
Jon Rahm denounced the DP World Tour's waiver conditions for LIV Golf players as extortion, refusing to sign six-event commitments and warning it could make him ineligible for the 2027 Ryder Cup; he offered to limit participation to four events, but the tour has not agreed, while Rahm continues to perform well in LIV events ahead of a Hong Kong round.
Anthony Kim, who battled addiction and spent 12 years away from competitive golf, stunned LIV Golf Adelaide by defeating Jon Rahm and Bryson DeChambeau with a bogey-free 63, fueled by emotional crowds and a late burst of birdies. The victory, capped by a teary post-win moment with his daughter, marks one of golf’s most improbable comebacks and gives LIV a much-needed highlight.
Rory McIlroy challenged Tyrrell Hatton and Jon Rahm to settle their DP World Tour fines for LIV Golf participation to prove loyalty to Europe’s Ryder Cup squad; the sanctions were appealed in 2024 and the players’ eligibility for the 2027 Ryder Cup at Adare Manor remains unresolved as the cases progress.
Jon Rahm had a challenging first round at the Spanish Open, including a brief argument with a marshal, finishing with a 1-over 72. Despite struggles and a tough week mentally after the Ryder Cup, Rahm aims to win his fourth Spanish Open title, with the tournament now offering spots in next year's Masters and Open Championship.
Jon Rahm experienced a moment of frustration during the first round of The Open Championship, which led to a snippy comment to a fan, but he attributed it to bad timing and his emotional reaction to a tough shot. Despite the incident, Rahm finished with a 1-under 70 and is aiming for a career Grand Slam, seeking to win his third major.
Golf Channel's experts predict Jon Rahm will win the 153rd British Open at Royal Portrush, with Rory McIlroy as a strong contender. Sepp Straka is expected to contend but fall short, while Tom McKibbin and Patrick Reed are considered dark horses. Bryson DeChambeau is likely to be most disappointed, and the winning score is projected to be around 12-13 under par, with favorable weather conditions expected.
Jon Rahm expressed his strong desire to qualify for the 2025 European Ryder Cup team, emphasizing the importance of The Open and his ongoing appeal against LIV Golf-related sanctions. He highlighted his preparation at Valderrama and his respect for The Open's prestige, aiming for a successful performance at Royal Portrush.