2026 Major Season Wrap-Up: Upsets, Drama, and Who’s Next?

Alright, let’s just cut the crap. The 2026 major season is in the books. And man, what a ride it was. We saw some guys you expected, some you absolutely didn’t, and enough drama to fill a damn soap opera. Forget the pristine fairways and perfect greens for a second; the real storylines were off the course and in the heads of these players. We’re talking about moments that made you scratch your head, moments that made you fist-pump, and moments that just made you say, “What the hell is going on?”

This year wasn’t about the same old guard dominating. Nah. We had some fresh faces, some surprising comebacks, and some outright bizarre happenings. From unexpected wins to mind-boggling decisions, the majors delivered. So grab a cold one, settle in, and let’s dissect what actually went down. Because honestly, trying to make sense of it all is half the fun, right?

Koivun’s Breakthrough: Poise Under Fire

First off, Jackson Koivun. Kid wins the 3M Open in his 13th start as a pro. Thirteen! And he did it against a field that included Scottie Scheffler. You can’t script this stuff. People expected him to fold, especially with Scheffler breathing down his neck. But he didn’t. Not even a little bit.

Josh Berhow hit the nail on the head. Impressive as hell. And yeah, he made a “clunky par” down the stretch. Who cares? He made the putts when it mattered. No emotional meltdowns until the damn thing was over. That’s how you close. Josh Schrock was also blown away by the poise. He thought Koivun would show his age, buckle under the pressure. Nope. Just cruised. Never gave anyone an opening. First of many wins? You bet your ass.

And Josh Sens? He saw the unflinching nature of it all. This wasn’t some kid just trying to survive. Birdie out of the gate, no looking back. We see tons of talent, sure. But not all of them have that veteran calm. It’s rare. It’s what separates the good from the damn great.

The Tour’s New Structure: A Double-Edged Sword

Now, let’s talk about this whole Tour schedule shake-up. The new two-track system kicking in in 2028. Players on the Championship Series can’t just hop down to the Challenger Series. This means those “star-player splashes” we saw at events like the 3M Open? Might be a thing of the past. Is that a raw deal for the tournaments and the communities that get a boost from these big names? Or is it just the price of doing business in this new, confusing landscape?

Berhow, being a Minnesota resident, felt it. He saw crowds like he’d never witnessed before. Scottie Scheffler was a magnet. It was fun. But he gets the Tour schedule needed a facelift. He understands why this rule is in place. Allowing one-off appearances for certain guys? Too messy, apparently.

Schrock agrees it’s both. He brings up the John Deere Classic, where former champs can’t play. And winners on Track 2 can’t defend. It sucks for places like Minnesota and the Quad Cities. They miss out on seeing stars like Scottie or Jordan Spieth. But the Tour had to change. It needed to be easier to understand, with everything leading somewhere. Not just 40 random events leading to a confusing postseason. It’s a damn mess, but maybe it’s a necessary mess.

Sens is blunt. The schedule had to change. But will it fix the real problem? Which is, let’s be honest, there are only so many golfers people actually care about watching. Without those big names, those eyeballs, how long can the “lower-wattage” events survive? Are we just kicking the can down the road until the schedule gets chopped even further?

Major Season Takeaways: Weird Year, Who’s Next?

So, the four majors. What’s the big takeaway? It was, as Berhow put it, a weird year. We’re used to the Rorys, Scotties, Brysons, Xanders, and Brooks winning. This year? Ryan Fox and Aaron Rai snuck in. And then there’s Wyndham Clark. Won a major before, sure. But the guy who busted up lockers at a U.S. Open wins that same tournament a year later? How crazy is that? And he got heckled by his own fans. Pathetic.

Berhow also points out Rory’s Masters record. Two wins already, playing with house money. He could be a threat there for another decade. And Scottie? Finished outside the top 10 at a major just twice in three years. It’s damn hard to win these things.

Schrock was all about the surprises after years of big names dominating. Rory repeating at Augusta. Then BAM! Three straight outliers: Rai, Fox, and Clark. Clark, who was seemingly lost, wins his second U.S. Open. What’s the question going forward? Beyond Rory’s Green Jacket count? Which of the other big names finally breaks through in 2027? Morikawa, Rahm, Thomas, Xander, Bryson, Spieth… all stuck. Who adds to their resume next year? It’s a damn good question.

Sens, though, thinks the real drama wasn’t always on the course. Rory seeking a repeat. Fan abuse of Clark. Bryson’s penalty histrionics. When it came down to pure golf, only the Open Championship had a truly dramatic finish. The rest was… noise.

The Most Memorable Major Moment? Drama, Drama, Drama.

So, what was the most memorable moment? It wasn’t just about birdies and bogeys, was it?

Berhow throws out Garrick Higgo’s late arrival and penalty at the PGA. And yeah, the fan treatment of Clark at Shinnecock Hills. But for the long haul? Beyond Rory’s second Green Jacket? He thinks it’ll be Bryson’s bizarre Friday night at Royal Birkdale. You know, the one where he nearly withdrew over a penalty.

Schrock is all in on Bryson’s penalty. The whole scene. Taking officials back out, threatening to withdraw, reportedly trying to get Trump involved to get the penalty removed. An insane moment. That’s what the 2026 Open will be remembered for. Honorable mentions to Scottie’s second-place finish at Augusta and then his rant about conditions, and Haotong Li spending 30 minutes in the bushes at No. 13.

Sens agrees. Bryson’s penalty saga. His barometer? When his non-golfing friends start texting him about the news. The Bryson hubbub nearly blew up his phone. That’s saying something.

Buying Stock for 2027: Who’s Poised for a Major Run?

Alright, the crystal ball time. Whose major stock are you buying for 2027?

Berhow likes Sam Burns. He was one shot off the 54-hole lead at the Masters, a shot behind Clark at the U.S. Open, and led at the Open Championship. He’s close. And more importantly, he’s handled himself well in those situations. Sometimes you need those near misses before you finally cash in.

Schrock is all about Cam Young. Led the Masters on Sunday. Blistering Sunday at the Open to nearly steal it. He’s made a leap. Wyndham, Players, Doral – he’s winning. The majors are coming for him.

Sens, predictably, goes with Scheffler. Not that anyone was shorting him, but now? More reason than ever to buy. It’s hard to imagine him getting blanked again next year. He’s too damn good.

LIV Golf: Is It Finally Over?

Now, the death knell for LIV Golf. What’s more troubling? The Asian Tour bailing as a feeder program, or the rumors that the season-ending team event in Michigan might not even happen? What does this mean for LIV’s future?

Berhow says it’s hard to keep track of all the reports and rumors. Add it all up, and it doesn’t look good. The Michigan stuff isn’t official, but losing the Asian Tour? That really hurts. You notice how quickly Rory McIlroy endorsed that move? Not by accident. Funding drying up this year doesn’t mean investors won’t swoop in. But right now? The whole thing is leaking oil. Badly.

Schrock? He’ll take both. If the Michigan event gets canceled, that feels like curtains. But the Asian Tour siding with the PGA Tour and DP World Tour? That might be bigger. Rumor was LIV’s pitch to investors involved 10 Asian Tour events and 10 LIV events. That’s gone. Without the Asian Tour, those OWGR points LIV fought so hard for? They might be in danger, even if LIV survives. Things aren’t good at LIV HQ. Feels like we’re preparing to give the league its last rites.

Sens is even more blunt. Both. Put a fork in it. The league is in zombie mode. Dead in most meaningful ways. It’s hard to argue with that assessment. The golf world is shifting, and LIV seems to be getting left behind in the dust. It’s been a spectacle, sure, but the long-term viability looks increasingly shaky. We’ll see if any last-minute saviors emerge, but for now, it’s looking pretty grim. For more on the evolving landscape of professional golf, check out resources like the PGA Tour .