Cameron Young delivered an outstanding first round at the Cadillac Championship, establishing a one‑stroke advantage while the leading figures of the PGA Tour weighed in on the recent announcement that LIV Golf will lose its Saudi Arabian financial backing. Young posted an eight‑under‑par 64 as the Tour made its return to the famed Blue Monster at Trump National Doral in Miami, a venue that had not hosted a PGA event since 2016.

His performance placed him a full shot ahead of fellow Americans Jordan Spieth and Alex Smalley, with Canadian Nick Taylor trailing by another stroke in fourth place. In fifth place, Colombia’s Nico Echavarria stood alone at five under par, while an American trio consisting of Andrew Putnam, Brian Harman and Gary Woodland each sat a shot further back.

Young’s 97 feet of putts ranked as the fifth‑highest total for the round, and he was second overall in putting statistics, having carded eight birdies without a single bogey. "I felt like I was making a billion feet of putts, which seemed to work everywhere," Young explained.

"It was one of those days where every mistake I made didn’t cost me much, and every time my ball approached the hole it seemed to want to drop in." World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler, meanwhile, found himself seven strokes behind after a disappointing back‑nine that added two strokes to his score, leaving him with a 71 for the day.

"I wish I had been a little sharper today," Scheffler admitted. "I started well but then struggled. I just hope to be sharper tomorrow." Englishman Tommy Fleetwood finished two under par, and his compatriot Alex Fitzpatrick, who earned his PGA Tour card by winning the Zurich Classic of New Orleans alongside his brother Matt, posted an even‑par round. Ireland’s Shane Lowry also carded an even‑par score, while fellow Irishman and Ryder Cup veteran Justin Rose recorded a two‑over 74 as he debuted a new set of irons engineered by McLaren.

The tournament began in Florida just as Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) confirmed that it will cease funding LIV Golf at the close of the 2026 season. The PIF stated that the "substantial investment required is no longer consistent" with its evolving investment strategy, leaving LIV Golf in search of new long‑term financial partners to secure its future.

With LIV’s future now uncertain, the conversation quickly shifted to whether its marquee players—major champions Bryson DeChambeau and Jon Rahm among them—could find a route back onto the PGA Tour. Brooks Koepka, another major winner who had previously defected to LIV, opted into the PGA Tour’s Returning Members Programme at the start of 2026, a special pathway designed for some of the sport’s most successful players.

Former Masters champion Patrick Reed, who did not qualify for that programme, is completing a mandatory one‑year waiting period after his final LIV appearance before he can rejoin the PGA Tour. When asked about the potential process for other LIV players seeking reinstatement, former world No.

1 Jordan Spieth offered a cautious perspective. "I’m not sure if the same rules should apply to everyone," Spieth said. "We saw olive branches being offered a few months ago—Brooks took them. I don’t know what would change now.

There are many unknowns, and I’m glad I’m not in that room. I trust the decision‑makers to choose wisely." Brian Harman, the 2023 Open champion, echoed the sentiment that a clear pathway back to the PGA Tour is needed for former LIV members. "Fans want to see everyone competing together, and time heals wounds," Harman remarked. "There’s still some resentment from the lawsuits, but we play alongside those guys in the majors, so a route back makes sense.

I’m not the one to design the solution, but I think something is required to smooth the transition and reduce lingering bad blood." The broader implications of LIV’s funding withdrawal extend beyond individual player decisions. The PGA Tour, which has been navigating a complex legal and competitive landscape with LIV for several years, may need to reassess its own policies regarding player eligibility, reinstatement criteria, and the handling of pending litigation. Analysts suggest that a unified approach could benefit the sport by reducing fragmentation and presenting a clearer narrative for fans, sponsors, and broadcasters. Meanwhile, Sky Sports continues to provide extensive coverage of the event.

Viewers can watch all four rounds of the PGA Tour Signature Event live on Sky Sports, with the second round scheduled to begin at 4 p.m. on Friday.

The network also offers streaming options without a contract, ensuring fans can follow the action on multiple platforms. Golf enthusiasts are encouraged to stay tuned for further updates on the evolving LIV situation, as the sport’s governing bodies, players, and sponsors all watch closely to see how the funding gap will be addressed and what it means for the future of professional golf.