News

Monty at the US Open

Published

18 years ago

Jun 9, 2008

With the US Open coming up, Bag Chatter casts its eye over one of the most successful European golfers yet to win a major, Colin Montgomerie.

Since turning professional in 1988, ‘Monty’ became one of the most dominating forces on the European Tour winning the Order of Merit 7 times in succession from 1993-1999. Personal problems saw his form dip over the following years until 2005 when a rejuvenated Montgomerie surprised many critics and won the Order of Merit for a record 8th time.

Compared to these successes, the lack of a major victory is a noticeable absence. During the mid to late Nineties, Montgomerie was a regular figure near the top of the leader-board at majors where his trademark booming fade would split the tightest of fairways with pinpoint accuracy and allowed him to attack pins that others could not dare to.

With the emphasis on precision off the tee and minimising mistakes on what is traditionally the toughest course professional golfers play, The US Open is the major most suited to his game and has finished in the top 3 there 4 times in his career but his inability to convert high finishes into a victory have meant that he has been labelled one of the most talented players never to have won a major.

Following on from a third in 1992, he lost a play-off to Ernie Els in 1994 and then lost out to Els again in 1997, this time in regulation play. Montgomerie shot back to prominence in 2006 when he was back amongst it, fighting with Phil Mickelson, Jim Furyk and Geoff Ogilvy for the lead. Apparently forgotten in the blaze of attention that followed Mickelson’s collapse at the last and Ogilvy’s gutsy chipping, few seem to remember how close he was to lifting the US Open Trophy. Only needing a par on 18 and having split the fairway with a perfect drive, he was left with an approach shot straight onto the green. Caught between a 6 iron and a 7 iron, he choose the latter relying on adrenalin to make up the extra yards. Hitting pretty much his only imperfect shot of the day, he ended up short-sided in the thick ball-eating rough that the US Open is known for and a double bogey was the result and a victory for Ogilvy.

While some took this as evidence that the Scot can’t close the deal when the pressure is on, often it has been a combination of bad luck and inspired play from his opponents as much as it has been bad play just at the worst time

Often unfairly the target of barracking from the crowds, Montgomerie has always been perceived as being more sensitive than most pros to heckling. In fact, with his awareness of outside movement and noise some wit once claimed that when he turned professional, golf marshalling lost one of their most talented members.

The fact is that the roll call of his victories and his extraordinary Ryder Cup record shows that he is a talented and determined golfer who knows what it takes to win and win in difficult circumstances. That he has slipped to 102 in the world shows that all is not right with his game but there is too much fight in him to go down without trying.

Standing in his way this year are a whole host of golf’s goliaths – the resurgent Adam Scott – newly moved to number 3 in the world, a refocused Sergio Garcia – back to his best with victory at the Players Championships, a re-energised Phil Mickelson – with multiple wins already this year, and a rehabilitating Tiger Woods – who’s playing record indicates that he owns Torrey Pines. None of these men are going to meekly step aside to allow Montgomerie his day in the sun.

With the years creeping up on him and seemingly still searching for the right equipment, time looks to have run out for him but his supporters will be wishing him the best and hoping that this will be the time that wins the major that he so richly deserves

News

GolfWRX’s Father’s Day Gift Guide (2026)

Published

2 days ago

Jun 9, 2026

GolfWRX Staff

A reminder from your friends at GolfWRX: Father’s Day is June 21. And as we do every year, we’re rounding up the best gifts for dad.

As we say every year, there’s no better golf-related Father’s Day gift than a round of golf with pops. Be it a country club or your favorite muni, take the time to get together to play 18 if you can.

Let’s get to the gifts.

Ghost Golf Qualifier Diamond Polo

We like the new polos that Ghost is offering, as the fabric and fit are so good. These new Qualifier Collection polos breathe well, are lightweight, stretch with your swing, and of course look great. You can wear them on the course, in the office, or just out at a casual event and they will fit right in.

Buy here.

STR8-Strip Grip Tape Remover

If your dad is an equipment aficionado and tinkers with his clubs, this tool works wonders. Removing grip tape has never been easier, just put a little head on the tape and the STR8-Strip peals it right off the shaft without any damage.

Buy here.

Why Golf: Putting Thing

When it comes to practice, it is good to have a purpose. This “Putting Thing” sure does it. We know from personal experience how challenging it can be and how rewarding it is on the practice green. This also provides some competition for your kiddo to see who will unload the dishwasher or do the next chore around the house.

Buy here.

OluKai Lae‘ahi Men’s Breathable Slip-On Shoes

Riding to and from the course in style and comfort is always a good thing. If you’re in a hurry, it’s a nice feature to slide into your shoes and get to the tee time. For the post-game shoe, at your locker or while putting your clubs away in the car. Nice to slide into a shoe that looks good anywhere. Pair that with meeting the family for dinner, no need to change!

Buy here.

Therabody Theragun Relief

A little wellness goes a long way. Keeping loose is a good way to go when it comes to the weekend game or treatment during the week. If there is a little ache or pain, the Theragun is there to help out. Help loosen up the back for a pre-game warm-up or cool-down.

Buy here.

World Cup golf apparel

Something for the soccer dads. Embrace the World Cup fever this summer on the course with custom gear to support the nation of your choice.

Buy here.

FootJoy Pro SL spikeless golf shoes

Give the old man a break and save his feet with the Footjoy Pro SL Men’s Spikeless Golf Shoes for some added comfort on the course.

Buy here.

Bushnell Wingman 2 GPS speaker

Combine all the hits as well as some game improvement with the Wingman 2 Golf GPS Speaker by getting audible distance readings from 38,000+ courses worldwide through the Wingman 2 remote or speaker.

Buy here.

Personalized Titleist Pro V1 golf balls

The No. 1 ball in golf is a safe bet, and the Pro V1 fits the largest chunk of the bell curve if you don’t know what ball pops plays. Add personalization for a, well, personal touch!

Buy here.

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Tour Photo Galleries

Photos from the 2026 OccuNet Classic

Published

2 days ago

Jun 9, 2026

GolfWRX Staff

With the PGA Tour across the border in Canada this week, GolfWRX Tour Photographer Greg Moore stayed stateside and headed to the OccuNet Classic presented by Amarillo National Bank in Amarillo, Texas.

It’s always interesting to see what the guys are playing on the KFT, and this week certainly hasn’t disappointed so far, with some incredible wedge stamping on display.

Check out links to all our albums below.

General Albums

2026 OccuNet Classic (KFT) – Monday #1

WITB Albums

Pullout Albums

Luke Potter’s custom Cameron putter – 2026 OccuNet Classic (KFT)

News

From the GolfWRX Classifieds: Scotty Cameron GOLO 6 with BGT Stability Tour2 2022 M Edition

Published

2 days ago

Jun 9, 2026

Will Schube

At GolfWRX, we are a community of like-minded individuals who all experience and express our enjoyment of the game in many ways.

It’s that sense of community that drives day-to-day interactions in the forums on topics that range from best driver to what marker you use to mark your ball. It even allows us to share another thing we all love – buying and selling equipment.

Currently, in our GolfWRX buy/sell/trade (BST) forum, @HuskerFlyer is sharing a Scotty Cameron GOLO with a BGT Stability Tour2 2022 M Edition shaft. While the putter is certainly enviable, the Augusta-inspired shaft is equally noteworthy.

From the listing:

Scotty Cameron Golo 6 with BGT Stability Tour2 2022 M Edition Scotty Headcover 34″ $375

To check out the full listing in our BST forum, head through the link. If you are curious about the rules to participate in the BST Forum, you can learn more here: GolfWRX BST Rules.