Cam Young was out the door to LIV Golf, wind cuts PGA Tour event short, and gearing up for Mexico

The PGA Tour's Fall Swing continued this week with the Butterfield Bermuda Championship, an event known for its entertaining challenges, particularly the windy conditions players face on the island. However, extreme winds on Sunday and Monday prompted the Tour to reduce the tournament to 54 holes. Heading into the final round, eight players were within three shots of the lead, but the weather ultimately dictated a unique conclusion.

With conditions still prohibitive on Monday, the final round was scrapped. Instead, a playoff was held between 54-hole co-leaders Austin Smotherman and Seamus Power. The two competed at the par-3 16th hole, repeating the process multiple times after sharing pars. After the pin placement was moved, Smotherman secured the victory with a third consecutive par when Power could not get up and down from the rough. While not the traditional 18-hole finale many hoped for, the result was a necessary compromise given the weather and the schedule, with another tournament beginning in less than four days. The win marked Smotherman's second in his last two starts, following his victory at the Bank of Utah Championship earlier in October.

In other major golf news, recent court documents have revealed new details about LIV Golf's financial proceedings and player interest. As the league navigates Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, documents showed it made $15.6 million in retention payments to executives before filing, including over $6 million to CEO Scott O'Neil. Separately, documents indicated that American golfer Cameron Young signed a document of intent to join LIV Golf following the 2022 Open Championship at St. Andrews.

Young had been open about his interest in joining the Saudi-backed circuit during its inaugural season. The intent document, dated July 24, 2022, one week after the Open Championship, confirmed his serious consideration. At the time, Young, ranked 17th in the world, ultimately decided to remain on the PGA Tour after weeks of speculation. Since then, his career has ascended significantly; he is now ranked fourth in the world with three Tour wins, including the 2026 Players Championship, and has represented the United States in both the Ryder Cup and Presidents Cup.

Looking back, the 2025 Mexico Open at VidantaWorld provided one of the most memorable finishes in recent memory. After a 20-month wait for the tournament's return, South African long-hitter Aldrich Potgieter found himself in a sudden-death playoff with Brian Campbell, a player who ranked near the bottom in average driving distance. On the par-5 18th hole, an eventful sequence unfolded. After both made pars on the first playoff hole, Campbell's tee shot went far right into a jungle-like area but remarkably bounced back into play. Potgieter responded with a 321-yard drive, leaving himself 218 yards to the hole compared to Campbell's 311. In a stunning turn of events, the shorter hitter, Campbell, made birdie while Potgieter missed a six-foot putt to extend the playoff, securing a victory for the short hitters. Both players are in the field for this week's event.