News

Matteson Captures Frys.com Open

Troy Matteson birdied the second playoff hole to win the Frys.com Open a second time (the first was when the event was in Las Vegas before it became Justin Timberlakes event). When you follow a second round 61 with the same score in the third round, setting a Tour record in the process, it would seem an indicator the golfing gods have decided to smile on you for the week. “That’s as good as I can play,” Matteson said. “I really don’t have to worry about playing better than that, because that’s it.” How could he say anything else? Just the thought of back to back 61’s causes my head to shake in disbelief. Amazing.

Published

17 years ago

Oct 27, 2009

Eric Schuster

“That’s as good as I can play,” Matteson said. “I really don’t have to worry about playing better than that, because that’s it.” How could he say anything else? Just the thought of back to back 61's causes my head to shake in disbelief. Amazing.

Joining Mr. Matteson in the playoffs were Rickie Fowler and Jamie Lovemark, a pair of players attempting to win enough money to avoid Q School next week. Mr. Fowler turned pro after the Walker Cup matches and has earned $553,700 in just two events, good enough for 136th place on the money list and exempting himself from the first stage of Q School. He may perhaps have managed to exempt himself into the finals. He still has a chance to avoid the school altogether if he can play well next week at the Viking Classic. Mr. Lovemark has earned $453,872, or not quite enough to gain conditional status. He could roll the dice and play next week in an effort to avoid Q School altogether, but that is just too big a gamble because if he doesn't begin school next week he can't rejoin at a later date. So it'll be off to the first stage next week.

This is the time of year when a lot of players are trying to secure status on the Tour for next year. Not that they won't necessarily have a place to play, but to play with the big boys at least some of the time they need to win some money. Some say it's a lot of pressure, and I agree there is pressure involved, but not like the old days. Oh here we go again, another you think times are tough now you should have been around in my day and we had to walk 6 miles one way to school through 23 foot snow drifts, barefoot, uphill both ways kind of story. Well, I guess it is kinda. Even the guy at number 150 on the money list has made over $437,000 this year, and he gets to play on the big tour sometimes next year. The tenth place money leader on the Nationwide tour has made $300,000 this year. Not exactly chump change. So you've got a place to play next year pretty much sewn up. No Monday morning qualifiers, one round to make the field and then play like crazy to make a check and get into the next event knowing the car needs tires and you haven't eaten anything but peanut butter and jelly for 12 weeks and if don't cash a check soon you're gonna run out of jelly. Just where did you think the phrase "playing hungry" came from,huh?

Not the same at all. That kind of talk is really just splitting hairs. Say you are Brad Adamonis, ranked 162nd at the moment, playing on average one tenth of a stroke per round higher this year compared to last year when you finished 121st on the money list. You need to make $104,000 to reach the 150th place on the list. Think it's hard to swallow on Thursday morning knowing you've got one event to reach that goal? Or that you need to double your yearly winnings to catch the 125th ranked David Duval? How do you feel if on Friday you're standing on the first tee at +2 and the leaders are at -6? Fast forward to the 10th tee where we find you're still at +2. Tough place to be, not the end of the world by any stretch, not even close. It's why they play the game.. There is nothing quite so satisfying as knowing you need to perform to be rewarded. I've heard it described as being fully involved in life, from moment to moment. Living in the now. That's what all the mental game gurus preach. It's fun to watch these end of the year tournaments, to see who can do, when it matters at this moment. Of course it also helps when so many Sunday NFL games are lopsided wipeouts, but that's a different story altogether.

News

Best current stock shaft 2026 – GolfWRXers discuss

Published

27 mins ago

Jun 11, 2026

Will Schube

In our forums, one user is asking for thoughts on the best stock shafts offered in 2026. Stock shafts are the shafts included with a club when it’s purchased from retailers or OEMs.

@DTorres asked:

The last couple years has seen a lot of updates and additions to no upcharge stock shafts, which do you think is the best offering in 2026?

Im a bit of a shaft nerd and recently during my Members Testing with the Callaway Quantum Triple Diamond I found the updated Project X Denali Frost Black to be a fantastic stock shaft. I absolutely did not mesh well with the original Denali. Just curious what other people think are the current best Stock shaft offerings out with new models and stock Ventus options and LinQ options popping up here and there.

We were given the option for any stock shafts for our members review. I went with the 70g Black Frost 6.5 because it’s a shaft I don’t have, it’s an updated version of the original Denali and hear little about. I typically use a Diamana WB, GD VF or a HOF Raptor. I’m not saying it was neck and neck with any of those but it was a pleasant surprise I’m not accustomed to in stock shaft offerings.

Our members in the forum have been offering up their own thoughts on the best stock shafts available in 2026. Here are a few posts from the thread, but make sure to check out the entire discussion and have your say at the link below.

rsballer10: “IMO – MCA Ka’ili White Darkwave, Tensei 1k Black/white, UST Lin-Q White. People are free to spend their money however they see fit, but for me personally the shaft catalogs these days have enough options that I don’t see the value of a $400 upcharge. I have never had a problem finding a no upcharge shaft that fits the bend profile and weight that I need. Whether the paint job is good enough or not is above my pay scale.”
bcflyguy1: “Project X Titan Black. I’ve had one in 60TX in my Quantum TD Max for several weeks now. Have to give Titlieist their flowers for finding a way to make it available as a featured option; very shrewd bit of business and one that I suspect will be duplicated by the other companies. TT/PX have a certified banger on their hands with Titan.”
CTG77: “Undoubtedly, it’s the Tensei 1K RIP shafts from Titleist. The Tensei line gives about 98% of the performance of a Ventus VeloCore+ shaft at a tiny fraction of the cost if you’re looking for a blue or red profile. The white is not an exact match for Ventus Black, but it’s closer to it than the non-VeloCore+ Ventus shafts that come from Callaway or formerly came from TaylorMade.”

Entire Thread: “Best current stock shaft 2026.”

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.