Martin Kaymer made a statement on Thursday at the PGA Championship, and it’s one that caught many by surprise.

The two-time major champion opened with a stellar 67 at Aronimink, carding four birdies and just one bogey. It was a round of golf that looked effortless, and it has him tied for the lead. For a player who has struggled to find his form on LIV Golf this season, it was an unexpected—but welcome—turn of events.

Kaymer, now 41, last won the PGA Championship in 2010. That victory comes with a special perk: a seat at the annual Champions Dinner. And it was at that dinner on Tuesday night that Kaymer received some unexpected fuel for the fire.

“On Tuesday evening we had the champion’s dinner, and there was a gentleman sitting next to me from the PGA of America, and he asked me if I would be, if I still play,” Kaymer recalled. “I said, ‘What do you mean?’ He said, ‘Well, are you playing this week?’ And I said, ‘Yeah, that’s why I’m here. I’m not flying from Europe to here to have a New York strip with you guys. Of course I’m playing.’ And that really motivated me.”

It’s a moment that could have been deflating, but Kaymer turned it into a rallying cry. And it showed in his play. He looked relaxed, sharp, and in control—qualities that have often eluded him since 2021.

“I’ve been struggling since 2021,” Kaymer admitted. “And obviously I had a couple surgeries then and other issues came with it.”

But on Thursday, those struggles seemed like a distant memory. Kaymer’s ball-striking was crisp, his putting was steady, and his demeanor was that of a player who has been here before—because he has. For any golfer, a start like this is a reminder that past glory can still fuel present success. For Martin Kaymer, it’s also a reminder that sometimes, all you need is a little doubt from the outside to bring out your best.