The world of golf continues to buzz with headline-grabbing drama, surprise developments and eye-catching storylines involving some of the sport’s biggest names
The final major of the season might be done and dusted, but the golfing landscape is still ablaze with stories of triumph, redemption, and jaw-dropping earnings. Scottie Scheffler’s recent victory at The Open Championship further solidified his dominance, clinching another major title with a masterful performance at Royal Portrush, pushing his PGA Tour earnings this season above the £14million mark.
But the American isn’t the only one making a killing, with LIV Golf’s lucrative purses propelling players like Joaquin Niemann to new financial heights. Elsewhere, a former Ryder Cup star who once outshone Rory McIlroy made headlines by turning down prize money after a stunning return.
Meanwhile, McIlroy himself turned heads with an expected appearance, and Kurt Kitayama etched his name into PGA Tour history with an extraordinary feat. Here, Mirror Sport provides a roundup of the latest news from the fairways.
Niemann’s LIV Golf riches soar
Joaquin Niemann’s victory at LIV Golf UK on Sunday added another £3m to his already impressive earnings, pushing his total LIV prize money to £43m. The Chilean star, who missed the cut at The Open, has now played 43 events in the Saudi-backed series.
His latest triumph at JCB Golf and Country Club in England saw him outpace a strong field, cementing his status as one of LIV’s top earners. With £43m banked, Niemann trails only Talor Gooch and Dustin Johnson in the LIV money list.
This year, however, he’s top of the earnings table with £15.8m collected, edging out big-name stars like Bryson DeChambeau and Jon Rahm.
Dubuisson refuses prize money
Victor Dubuisson, the enigmatic Frenchman who pipped Rory McIlroy to win the 2015 Turkish Airlines Open, made a sensational return to competitive golf by clinching the Biarritz Cup on the Alps Tour. The former Ryder Cup star, who retired in 2023 to focus on coaching, fired rounds of 62-65-61 to win in a playoff against Jorge Maicas.
Remarkably, Dubuisson declined the £6,600 winner’s cheque, citing “a gesture of personal principle,” allowing Maicas to claim the top prize instead. The 35-year-old, who has been running clinics in Tenerife, hinted at a permanent comeback but remains undecided.
McIlroy’s surprise appearance
Rory McIlroy, fresh from a post-Open Championship holiday in France, made an unexpected appearance at the Senior Open at Carnoustie, Scotland. The world No. 2, who has faced scrutiny after failing to keep his Masters momentum going, was spotted supporting the over-50s field, including former Ryder Cup team-mates like Lee Westwood and Padraig Harrington.
The Northern Irishman’s presence at the event sparked speculation about his late-season plans. While he didn’t compete, his attendance highlighted his enduring passion for the game and its history.
With all four majors in the rear-view mirror, McIlroy’s focus will now switch to next month’s Wyndham Championship, FedEx St. Jude Championship and BMW Championship as the season begins to wind down.
Kitayama’s record-breaking win
Kurt Kitayama stormed to victory at the 3M Open, securing his second PGA Tour title in style and etching his name into the record books. The 32-year-old American carded an astonishing 20 birdies over the weekend, a feat not seen on the PGA Tour in over 40 years.
Finishing at -23, Kitayama held off a strong field, including Jake Knapp and Matt Wallace, to claim the title at TPC Twin Cities. With just two wins in 107 PGA Tour events, Kitayama’s performance signals a resurgence, raising hopes that he can challenge golf’s elite in future events.
