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Morning Edition

May 18, 2026

POWERED BY

Aaron Rai entered the PGA Championship with 200-1 odds of winning the tournament. But after a dominant performance in Sunday’s final round, the 31-year-old Englishman left Aronimink Golf Club with his first career major—and the top prize of a record purse.

— David Rumsey [[link removed]]

First Up Aaron Rodgers is returning to the Steelers for a second season—and doing so with a pay raise. Read the story [[link removed]]. Conor McGregor is set to compete in his first UFC fight in five years in a rematch against Max Holloway at UFC 329 in July. Read the story [[link removed]]. Having been nicknamed “El Cheapo” by Bill Simmons, Blazers owner Tom Dundon defended his spending strategy during a recent podcast appearance. Read the story [[link removed]]. The purse for the PGA Championship increased to a record $20.5 million. Read the story [[link removed]]. Aaron Rai Stuns Golf’s Biggest Names at PGA Championship [[link removed]]

James Lang-Imagn Images

Aaron Rai won the PGA Championship at Aronimink Golf Club on Sunday, taking home the $3.69 million winner’s check from the tournament’s record $20.5 million purse [[link removed]].

The victory is the first major championship win for Rai, 31, who shocked the field of superstars. The Englishman, who is of Indian and Kenyan descent, had previously only won one on the PGA Tour, the 2024 Wyndham Championship. His Official World Golf Ranking heading into the PGA Championship was No. 44.

Rai’s career earnings boosted to just over $16 million with the win.

This weekend marked the biggest stage for CBS [[link removed]] since the network botched the conclusion [[link removed]] of Rory McIlroy’s second consecutive Masters win back in April. No major coverage issues arose on Sunday, though. Viewership for the final round will be available later this week.

LIV Golf in Spotlight

LIV Golf—which is fighting for survival as the Saudi PIF pulls its funding [[link removed]]—had two of its most well-known players in the mix Sunday, despite the league having its smallest contingent [[link removed]] at the tournament since launching in 2022 and its biggest star, Bryson DeChambeau, missing the cut [[link removed]].

Jon Rahm finished tied for second—the best among the 11 LIV players at the PGA Championship, while Cam Smith was tied for seventh.

The future of LIV was a major talking point throughout the PGA Championship. Ahead of the tournament, Rory McIlroy said he knew about LIV losing its Saudi funding [[link removed]] before the players did.

Philly Special

The crowds at Aronmink, located just outside of Philadelphia, were lively throughout the tournament, despite ticket prices for the sold-out event dropping below face value [[link removed]] (which was between $200 and $300) on the resale market. Total attendance has not been released, but early projections were forecasting around 200,000 fans.

This marked the sixth year of the PGA Championship’s all-inclusive concessions program, which gives all attendees free food and non-alcoholic beverages [[link removed]] once inside the gates.

Moving forward, Pennsylvania officials are hoping to lure the PGA Tour [[link removed]] to the Philadelphia area for an annual event as the PGA Tour prioritizes playing more regularly in larger markets [[link removed]].

Course Critiques

The course setup and difficulty were criticized by some notable players throughout the PGA Championship.

“Most of the pins today were, I mean, kind of absurd,” Scottie Scheffler said Friday after his second round. “They were just so far into the areas where we thought the pins were going to be.”

After two rounds, there were 44 players within five shots of the 36-hole leaders Alex Smalley and Maverick McNealy.

“I think a bunched leaderboard like this, I think it’s a sign of not a great setup,” Rory McIlroy said Friday evening. “I think when it’s as bunched as it is, [it’s] because it hasn’t really enabled anyone to separate themselves. … I’ve always felt like really good setups, it starts to spread the field a bit, and not great setups sort of bring everyone together. I feel like that’s what’s happened the last two days.”

The PGA Championship course setup is led by the PGA of America’s chief championships officer, Kerry Haigh.

SPONSORED BY ON LOCATION

Beyond A Ticket

In our new FOS Explains video [[link removed]], presented by On Location, we break down the business behind premium hospitality at FIFA World Cup 2026™. As the tournament expands across three host nations, 16 host cities, and 104 matches, hospitality has become more than just upgraded seating—it’s now an immersive, multi-sensory experience focused on access, convenience, exclusivity, and relationship-building at the world’s greatest sporting event.

From private suites and chef-curated menus to concierge-level service and on-field experiences, On Location is redefining what premium sports experiences look like for corporate buyers and global fans alike.

👉 Watch now [[link removed]].

ONE BIG FIG Fast Money

Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images

$2.2 million

That’s how much Ronda Rousey made to headline Saturday’s Netflix MMA event vs. Gina Carano, according to MMA Fighting’s Damon Martin [[link removed]]. Rousey submitted Carano in 17 seconds, in what marked her first official fight since 2016. Carano, for her part, made $1.05 million, while former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou made $1.5 million to face Philipe Lins, whom he defeated by knockout.

Daily sports trivia: Can you rank the top five most expensive NBA rosters this season?

[[link removed]] LOUD AND CLEAR History Lesson

Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images

“There’s gonna be some uncomfortable convos yall gotta have…”

—Thunder guard Jalen Williams [[link removed]] posted on Instagram about teammate Shai Gilgeous-Alexander winning his second consecutive NBA Most Valuable Player award. Gilgeous-Alexander is the 14th player in league history to be named MVP in back-to-back seasons.

SPONSORED BY CHARLES TYRWHITT

When Preparation Matters, Details Matter

That’s why Anthony Volpe and the New York Yankees partner with Charles Tyrwhitt. Designed to perform beyond the game, the collection blends refined tailoring, premium fabrics, and all‑day comfort—so getting dressed is one less thing to think about.

From sharp shirts to elevated polos, every style is built to transition effortlessly from work to weekends. The same standards that drive Volpe on the field carry through to how he shows up off it.

Explore [[link removed]] some of Volpe’s favorite styles with limited-time savings.

👉 Read the full article here [[link removed]].

STATUS REPORT Two Up, One Down, One Push

William Liang-Imagn Images

Mike Trout ⬆⬇ The three-time MVP is looking more like his vintage self again [[link removed]], posting 11 home runs entering Sunday while staying healthy and back in center field. The problem: the Angels own MLB’s worst record and are spiraling toward an 11th straight losing season, leaving Trout’s long-awaited postseason return no closer to reality.

Christian Pulisic ⬆ The USMNT star returned earlier than expected [[link removed]] from a lower-back injury and helped AC Milan beat Genoa 2-1 on Sunday, assisting the club’s second goal just minutes after entering the match. With the World Cup less than a month away, Pulisic’s return is a big boost for both Milan and the U.S. squad.

Northern England ⬆ The UK government said it will explore a bid to bring the Olympic and Paralympic Games to the region [[link removed]] in the 2040s, while also backing major stadium projects across the country. The plans could help accelerate redevelopment efforts tied to several soccer clubs, including Manchester United, Leeds United, and Birmingham City.

Valtteri Bottas ⬇ The Formula One driver had a Cadillac Escalade stolen from outside his Airbnb [[link removed]] during Miami Grand Prix weekend, prompting an FBI investigation after his paddock credentials were left inside the team-provided vehicle. “I didn’t have a paddock pass,” Bottas said. The car was later recovered in a high-crime area.

FRONT OFFICE SPORTS LIVE

Hang Out in the Hamptons

Huddle in the Hamptons [[link removed]] has earned its place as the season’s most coveted invitation: a sun-soaked gathering where the people shaping sports come to think, compete, and connect.

This July, Front Office Sports returns to the Hamptons for another quintessential summer Friday with official partners UBS [[link removed]] and Opendorse [[link removed]].

Set against one of the East Coast’s most storied summer backdrops, the day blends wellness, candid thought leadership, and the kind of unhurried relationship-building no formal meeting can replicate.

Because some of the most important deals in sports don’t start in the boardroom—they start here.

Want to join us out East? Request to attend [[link removed]].

Editors’ Picks The Haves and Have-Nots of the 2026–27 NFL Schedule [[link removed]]by Eric Fisher [[link removed]]Five teams have no primetime appearances scheduled in 2026. 76-Team March Madness Good for ‘Visibility’ of Women’s Game, Coaches Say [[link removed]]by Yanyan Li [[link removed]]Still, some coaches worry that mid-majors will be overlooked. Bryson DeChambeau Misses Second Major Cut Amid LIV Turmoil [[link removed]]by David Rumsey [[link removed]]DeChambeau also missed the cut at this year’s Masters. Question of the Day

Will the Steelers make the playoffs again with Aaron Rodgers at quarterback?

YES [[link removed]] NO [[link removed]]

Friday’s result: 80% of respondents think their favorite NFL team has a hard slate next season.

Events [[link removed]] Video [[link removed]] Games [[link removed]] Shop [[link removed]] Written by David Rumsey [[link removed]] Edited by Ben Axelrod [[link removed]], Matthew Tabeek [[link removed]]

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