Tour News
5 Things We Learned on Day 4 of the U.S. Open
It was an odd week at the U.S. Open. The weather didn’t cooperate, and play was nearly pushed to Monday. The USGA caretakers of the game failed their associates and the tournament competitors at a moment when they might have shined. Fortunately for all of us, the course was a true and proper challenge for all involved and a splendid champion was crowned.
What did we learn on Day 4 of the 2016 U.S. Open? Let’s find out.
Something has to be done with golf’s officiating standard
The only sport that can make hockey laugh is golf. Somehow, we get it wrong every time and are left to appear worthy of ridicule. No other sport places doubt on the official assigned to the competition as does golf. Before you say “yes they do,” read me out. Every play in football, basketball, hockey and baseball is covered from three or four angles and can be reviewed fairly; not so with golf. Not every shot of every golfer (the LPGA missed Brooke Henderson’s hole-in-one last week at their marquee championship!) is captured by cameras, so it is patently unfair to allow a viewer call-in or a random replay to impact an event. It is time to place the official duties squarely on a trained team of officials, establish a standard that is recognized and respected by all professional tours, the Royal and Ancient, and the USGA, and not stray from it in the slightest.
Jim Furyk did his home folk proud
If anyone tells you that Furyk was among the favorites before Thursday, take them off your guest list. The old warrior, thought to be past his prime and ability to challenge for major titles, gave his western Pennsylvania neighbors and relatives cause to holler one last time. He didn’t leave Oakmont with the title, but he tied for 2nd place with 66, the low round of a Sunday that witnessed just six other scores in red figures. Even a final-hole bogey (which meant nothing in the end) could not take away the pride that Pittsburghers piled onto one of their own. In the grand tradition of that other fellow from Western PA, Arnold Palmer, Furyk dug deep and reminded us just how talented a golfer he is.
Kevin Na may win a major one day
Na was the only golfer to post under-par rounds each of the last three days. While other golfers were going sideways and backwards, the 33-year-old Tour winner quietly eased his way up the board, finishing 7th alone at Oakmont. Many great golfers have failed to win just one major in their careers, so why should Na? Well, just as many unknown quantities (Jeff Sluman, Keegan Bradley, Todd Hamilton, Ben Curtis, Trevor Immelman, Bob Goalby, to name a few) break through at just the right time to capture a major title. If Na does so, my money is on the U.S. Open or PGA Championship, which offer courses and conditions that favor his game.
The U.S. Open is heartless
For every successful grinder, there are 100 stories of heartbreak, frustration, doubt and surrender. Who among us didn’t wince, cringe, and shudder as Sergio made three consecutive bogeys on the back nine, as Shane Lowry made five bogeys in eight holes in the middle of his round, as Lee Westwood went an inconceivable (yes, I know what that word means) 8-over par on his outward nine? We watch it for the glory, but we also cannot turn our eyes away from the failures that humanize, if only for a moment, these gods of golf.
Dustin Johnson represents the dignity of golf
Say what you will about any transgressions the U.S. Open champion may have committed, and then eliminate them from any further discussion. This is the fellow who was hosed by the PGA in 2010, was kidney-punched by the 18th green at Chambers Bay in 2015, and was shanked by the British Open in 2011. And on he fights. No complaints, no excuses, no discussions of karma or evil spirits or vendettas. It is fitting that he earned his greatest triumph on a course that did not, theoretically, play to his strengths. Welcome to the major championship club, champ.
- LIKE149
- LEGIT6
- WOW2
- LOL0
- IDHT0
- FLOP0
- OB0
- SHANK10
Tour Photo Galleries
Photos from the 2024 Players Championship
On the heels of Scottie Scheffler’s dominant victory at Bay Hill, the PGA Tour heads a little farther north in Florida to TPC Sawgrass this week for The Players Championship. And of course, GolfWRX is on site to get a look at what the players are playing.
We’ve already spotted a new Titleist mini driver this week, and there’s plenty more.
Check out our photos below!
Pullout Albums
- New Titleist 2 wood – 2024 The Players Championship
- Cam Young testing Titleist’s new 2-wood – 2024 THE PLAYERS Championship
- Hole Nos. 17 and 18 – 2024 THE PLAYERS Championship
- Toulon Small Batch Texas putter – 2024 The Players Championship
- Swag Golf custom headcovers – 2024 The Players Championship
- New Ping PLD staff bags – 2024 The Players Championship
- SuperStroke St. Patrick’s Day putter grip – 2024 The Players Championship
- Taylor Montgomery using PuttView X training goggles – 2024 The Players Championship
- LIKE4
- LEGIT0
- WOW0
- LOL1
- IDHT0
- FLOP0
- OB0
- SHANK0
Tour Photo Galleries
Photos from the 2024 Arnold Palmer Invitational
GolfWRX is on the ground in Orlando ahead of the 2024 Arnold Palmer Invitational at Bay Hill Club & Lodge.
We’re assembling our usual collection of WITB photos, general galleries, and of course, gear inspired by the King himself.
We’ll continue to add to the photos below as more flow in from Florida.
General Albums
- 2024 Arnold Palmer Invitational – Monday #1
- 2024 Arnold Palmer Invitational – Monday #2
- 2024 Arnold Palmer Invitational – Monday #3
- 2024 Arnold Palmer Invitational – Tuesday #1
- 2024 Arnold Palmer Invitational – Tuesday #2
- 2024 Arnold Palmer Invitational – Tuesday #1 (thanks, bvmagic!)
- 2024 Arnold Palmer Invitational – Tuesday #3 (bvmagic)
- 2024 Arnold Palmer Invitational – Tuesday #2 (bvmagic)
WITB Albums
- Matt (LFG) Every – WITB – 2024 Arnold Palmer Invitational
- Sahith Theegala – WITB – 2024 Arnold Palmer Invitational
- Scottie Scheffler – WITB – 2024 Arnold Palmer Invitational
- Luke List – WITB – 2024 Arnold Palmer Invitational
- Adam Schenk – WITB – 2024 Arnold Palmer Invitational
- Taylor Moore – WITB – 2024 Arnold Palmer Invitational
- David Ford – WITB – 2024 Arnold Palmer Invitational
- Patrick Cantlay – WITB – 2024 Arnold Palmer Invitational
Pullout Albums
- New Cameron putters (and new “LD” grip) – 2024 Arnold Palmer Invitational
- New Bettinardi MB & CB irons – 2024 Arnold Palmer Invitational
- Custom Bettinardi API putter cover – 2024 Arnold Palmer Invitational
- Custom Swag API covers – 2024 Arnold Palmer Invitational
- New Golf Pride Reverse Taper grips – 2024 Arnold Palmer Invitational
- New PXG putters – 2024 Arnold Palmer Invitational
- Scottie Scheffler putter change – 2024 Arnold Palmer Invitational
- Sepp Straka – shaft change to new Ventus blue – 2024 Arnold Palmer Invitational
- Rickie Fowler’s new Cobra Darkspeed X driver and Denali shaft (and Radspeed 3-wood) – 2024 Arnold Palmer Invitational
- Justin Rose testing Srixon Z Forged II irons – 2024 Arnold Palmer Invitational
See what GolfWRXers are saying in the forums.
- LIKE23
- LEGIT6
- WOW1
- LOL2
- IDHT0
- FLOP0
- OB0
- SHANK0
Tour Photo Galleries
Photos from the 2024 Cognizant Classic
GolfWRX is on site this week at the Cognizant Classic —FKA the Honda Classic.
The first leg of the PGA Tour’s traditional “Florida swing,” the Cognizant Classic continues to be contested at PGA National’s Champion Course in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, host course of the 1983 Ryder Cup and 1987 PGA Championship. The course is known for its famed “Bear Trap,” a three-hole stretch of holes that take their name from Jack “The Golden Bear” Nicklaus, who redesigned the course in 2002.
The Bear Trap includes No. 15 (a par 3), No. 16 (a par 4), and No. 17 (a par 4). All three holes involve water and have led to several big numbers from Tour players over the years.
Check out an assortment of general galleries, WITBs, and pullout albums below.
We’ll continue to update the galleries as more photos flow in from Florida!
General Albums
- 2024 Cognizant Classic – Monday #1
- 2024 Cognizant Classic – Monday #2
- 2024 Cognizant Classic – Monday #3
- 2024 Cognizant Classic – Monday #4
- 2024 Cognizant Classic – Tuesday #1
WITB Albums
- Brandt Snedeker – WITB – 2024 Cognizant Classic
- Max Greyserman – WITB – 2024 Cognizant Classic
- Eric Cole – WITB – 2024 Cognizant Classic
- Carl Yuan – WITb – 2024 Cognizant Classic
- Russell Henley – WITB – 2024 Cognizant Classic
- Justin Suh – WITB – 2024 Cognizant Classic
- Alex Noren – WITB – 2024 Cognizant Classic
- Shane Lowry – WITB – 2024 Cognizant Classic
- Taylor Montgomery – WITB – 2024 Cognizant Classic
- Jake Knapp (KnappTime_ltd) – WITB – – 2024 Cognizant Classic
- Sam Ryder – WITB – 2024 Cognizant Classic
- Maverick McNealy – WITB – 2024 Cognizant Classic
- Tua Tagovailoa mini WITB (NFL QB, Miami Dolphins) – 2024 Cognizant Classic
Pullout Albums
- New Super Stoke Pistol Lock 1.0 & 2.0 grips – 2024 Cognizant Classic
- LA Golf new insert putter – 2024 Cognizant Classic
- New Garsen Quad Tour 15 grip – 2024 Cognizant Classic
- New Swag covers – 2024 Cognizant Classic
- Jacob Bridgeman’s custom Cameron putter – 2024 Cognizant Classic
- Bud Cauley’s custom Cameron putters – 2024 Cognizant Classic
- Ryo Hisatsune’s custom Cameron putter – 2024 Cognizant Classic
- Chris Kirk – new black Callaway Apex CB irons and a few Odyssey putters
- Alejandro Tosti’s custom Cameron putter – 2024 Cognizant Classic
- Joohyung Tom Kim’s “new” center-shafted Scotty Cameron putter – 2024 Cognizant Classic
See what GolfWRXers are saying in the forums.
- LIKE10
- LEGIT1
- WOW0
- LOL1
- IDHT0
- FLOP1
- OB0
- SHANK0
-
19th Hole3 weeks ago
Tour pro calls Anthony Kim a ‘f*****g idiot’ following Instagram comeback post
-
19th Hole3 weeks ago
This Rory McIlroy post-round ‘The Match’ moment is going viral…but all is likely not what it seems
-
Whats in the Bag3 weeks ago
Anthony Kim WITB 2024 (February)
-
Whats in the Bag2 weeks ago
Scottie Scheffler WITB 2024 (March)
-
19th Hole3 weeks ago
Anthony Kim’s speculated LIV Golf sign-on fee may surprise you
-
Tour Photo Galleries2 weeks ago
Photos from the 2024 Arnold Palmer Invitational
-
19th Hole2 weeks ago
The total sum that Sergio Garcia needs to pay in fines if he wants to return to DP World Tour revealed
-
19th Hole2 weeks ago
Joaquin Niemann names 3 PGA Tour events he’d love to play each year ‘in a perfect world’
mT
Jun 21, 2016 at 2:08 pm
Perseverance.
Big Mike
Jun 20, 2016 at 5:09 pm
DJ deserves a lot of respect. Not only is he a great golfer but also a good person. He stepped up and confronted his personal demons a few years ago,and got sober. It takes a lot of integrity and guts to do that. Happy to see him winning
Captain Wedge
Jun 20, 2016 at 1:33 pm
The game of golf is built on honor and integrity. The only sport where you are required to call penalties on yourself…I realize a lot more is on the line with these guys but that doesn’t mean we should abandon the spirit of the game. If DJ said he didn’t move the ball, then unless there was irrefutable evidence to the contrary, then he DIDN’T MOVE THE BALL, no penalty, and move on! And for what it’s worth, if you watch the video, the ball actually moves backward towards his putter. Now unless his putter has some sort of gravitational pull, I don’t know how it would have been physically possible for the ball to move because of him.
But I wholeheartedly agree with the article in that the rules officiating needs a major overhaul in golf. Viewer call ins, post round replays. It’s all BS. Rulings need to be made on the spot, otherwise its history.
Michael
Jun 20, 2016 at 4:58 pm
I saw the ball move backwards too. I don’t think that was harped on enough. No way he made that ball move backwards. Well said!
Jacob
Jun 20, 2016 at 11:13 am
Ronald Montesano,
So as someone who is not a soccer fan I went to my first game in Kansas City a few weeks back. And in many sports even golf the rules are clearly outline even though subjective in some regards. Holding according the NFL “A penalty assessed when a player grabs another player in order to gain an advantage. Holding can be called on the offense or the defense.” is truly subjective to the official but clearly defined. But there’s holding on every play, however does it give the player the advantage? That’s where the rule gets subjective.
Many rules in golf just like what happened to DJ is clearly defined but subjective. In soccer a foul can be consider: “a group 6 direct free kick careless, recklessly and with excessive force”. According to FIFA “careless means that the player has shown a lack of attention or consideration when making his challenge or that he acted without precaution.” Reckless means ” that the player has acted with complete disregard of the danger to, or consequences for his opponent.” Using excessive force means ” that the player has far exceeded the necessary use of force and is in danger of injuring his opponent.” Clearly no defined rules, all completely subjective from the get go. I asked everyone sitting around me about the rules and why things were called etc. I could not get an answer.
Now in golf, the rules are defined but personal opinion and how the situation unfolds is not. DJ’s issue really pretty simple from the USGA standpoint. The ball moved, yes. What moved the ball? No one knows. The logical explanation from the USGA stand point is DJ caused the ball to move. Replay leaves that in doubt. To the avid golfer such as myself, it’s easy to come to the conclusion that DJ didn’t cause the ball to move. Freak things happen, we’ve all been there before. What if DJ was at the British Open and he walks onto the green, and because he stepped onto the green the wind shifted off his body and moved the ball? According to the USGA ruling today DJ caused the ball to move.
To the USGA, the governing body of golf was on their high horse protecting the integrity of the game(my opinion). A simple fix is, did the ball move? And the player caused it? If the player did cause the move, did it give the player a significant advantage prior to the move? If yes, penalty. That’s where instant replay comes into play and the subjective part of the rule hits home. The official/players makes a decision. Decided the significant advantage through replay, but stop calling nit picky penalties, it only hurts the game of golf.
rwj
Jun 20, 2016 at 5:52 am
Hosed by the PGA. Seriously? The rules were clearly stated and followed by everyone…except DJ. He broke a rule. Do you know what the word dignity means? A golfer with amazing abilities yes, but deserving of honor? Nope. I bet you believe Arod is deserving of respect as well.
KJ
Jun 20, 2016 at 10:15 am
What rule did he break? He accepted the highly questionable ruling by the USGA as judged by his peers and the golfing public. He didn’t whine or complain. I think he handled it in a very sportsmanlike manner and overcame the distraction with a tremendous second shot and birdie on the final hole. You seem to dislike DJ for unknown reasons. Seems irrational to me. Best of luck with your issue(s).
Ronald Montesano
Jun 20, 2016 at 12:21 pm
KJ,
I think you nailed the hit on the head. Folks are predisposed to like/dislike Dustin Johnson, out of who knows what motivation. Jealousy, indignation, whatever they wish. I believe that they are attempting to find evidence to support their claims, instead of examining the evidence and coming to a conclusion.
Desmond
Jun 20, 2016 at 4:27 am
I learned again that the US Open is my least favorite major to watch. The setup – it seems every year the setup has issues.
Ronald Montesano
Jun 20, 2016 at 12:19 pm
If the greens had been just a bit slower, the setup would have been perfect. I’m certain that Oakmont’s members demanded either lightning-quick greens or waist-high rough. Since more injuries occur with the later than the former, the association accepted the former.
Tigers yells f*ck
Jun 20, 2016 at 1:24 am
The USGA should be ashamed of the way they handled their officiating today. The one stroke penalty ended up being a non-issue but to hang a possible penalty over one of the leaders heads going into the final nine is one of the worst possible things they could’ve done. If it had been an issue and affected the outcome of the tournament this would be a total shitstorm for the governing body of American golf, on top of all the other mistakes they’ve made in recent years. I’m glad I’m no longer a member of the organization.
ryan
Jun 19, 2016 at 11:31 pm
“No other sport places doubt on the official assigned to the competition as does golf.” Have you ever heard of soccer? gimme a break….
Ronald Montesano
Jun 20, 2016 at 7:11 am
Hey, ryan…
Could you elaborate? I’d like to read your argument. You might convince me.
I’ve never seen a soccer ruling overturned like I see happen in golf.
RM