Tour News
Five things we learned on Day 1 of The 2017 Masters
As Thursday woke, we knew that the Fates had conspired to eliminate the favorite from the field. Even though Dustin Johnson had yet to officially withdraw from the 2017 Masters, where he should have been (the Par-3 contest) and where he was (tumbling down a staircase) could only have been arranged by the unpredictable. We did learn at least five things on Day 1 of the tournament.
1. Augusta National showed its teeth on Thursday
Sometimes the southern belle steals strokes all at once, as she did with Jordan Spieth’s nine at the par-five 15th. At other times, the pace is agonizingly slow, as Thomas Pieters learned over the entire back nine. No one, from the competitors to the patrons to the announcers, knows who will suffer her wrath, but it will certainly come.
In Spieth’s case, that he only hit one ball in the water is the incredible thing. The 2015 champion did the unforgivable, leaving a wedge third on the lower portion of the green and spinning. Back into the pond it went. With his fifth, the Texan assured himself of being long enough, but he went too long and was fortunate to not visit the H2O again with his sixth shot from over the green. Three putts later, Spieth had climbed from even par to 4-over par, and was facing a sizable mountain on his way to a second Green Jacket.
As for Pieters, he and first-round leader Charley Hoffman could have combined for a mighty low ringer score. The Belgian Ryder Cup star was out in 4-under, and got to 5-under with a birdie on the 10th hole. As though a wind had extinguished a candle, Pieters proceeded to make two doubles and three bogeys (with only one birdie, on the par-3 16th hole) over his final eight holes, to drop to even par on the day.
2. Despite the conditions, there were opportunities
Hoffman knows this, as does Lee Westwood. Hoffman began the day 1-over par through five holes, then ran the table on the next 13, making eight birdies to earn the Day 1 crystal with an unexpected 65. Westwood continues his search for the elusive major title, and while he has experienced success at Augusta National before, he must not have expected the five consecutive birdies that brought him from 3-over par to 2-under on the inward half. Realistically, Westwood’s 2-under 70 is the number that golfers are watching. Hoffman most likely won’t advance this lead, and may back up toward the pack before the weekend. The same can be said for William McGirt, who currently occupies second spot at 3-under.
Related: Charley Hoffman WITB 2017
Watch @WilliamMcGirt's first round in under three minutes. #themasters pic.twitter.com/gPOuSwPDle
— Masters Tournament (@TheMasters) April 6, 2017
3. The veterans know how to spell patience
Matt Kuchar began the day with three consecutive bogeys. The Georgia resident, having enjoyed a fond friendship with Augusta National since his low-amateur days, knew that nothing was etched in stone at that juncture. Bit by bit, he chipped away at his deficit. After nine consecutive pars, Kuchar made the first of three birdies that would ultimately bring him back to even on the day, precisely within striking distance of the lead.
Sergio Garcia, in search of a first major of his own, made precisely one birdie on the day. Such a tally would not usually leave anyone smiling, but Sergio was. Seventeen pars went along with that birdie, and the Spaniard found himself inside the top five, with yet another chance at either a Green Jacket or heartbreak. But that’s why they play!
4. The tournament is in good hands
Despite the unexpected misfortune that befell Dustin Johnson, and the anticipated withdrawal of Tiger Woods last week, a healthy dose of marquee players lies close to the lead. Major champions Phil Mickelson, Justin Rose and Jason Dufner are at 1-under, while Ernie Els and Rory McIlroy find themselves at even par. The ageless Fred Couples is only 1-over, and others wishing to join the major-championship club lie in wait. If you want to keep your eyes on one golfer, consider Paul Casey. Even par on the day, the Englishman was one of the hottest players on the PGA Tour during the second half of 2016. Given his past flirtations with the top spot at Augusta, perhaps this more-mature Casey might have what it takes to add to his wardrobe on Sunday afternoon.
Watch @Paul_Casey chip in for birdie from behind No. 14 green. #themasters pic.twitter.com/NWF9n9SNIG
— Masters Tournament (@TheMasters) April 6, 2017
5. Anything but wind
The breezes died down partway through the day, and the golfers rejoiced. On Thursday, it was the morning wave that suffered the effects of the zephyrs that passed through the corridors of Augusta National (look at the flags above the scoreboard in the video below). Putts were pushed sideways, or a few feet beyond their intended range. Tee shots moved toward trees with abandon, and wedge shots hit far too short on putting surfaces, spinning back into bunkers and other hazards. Unlike an Open Championship course, where the ground game can replace the aerial one, Augusta National is a high-flight course, and few opportunities arise to cheat the wind. If the winds reverse course on Friday and wait until the afternoon to blow, one half of the field will likely be eliminated, unfortunate victims of the vagaries of Mother Nature.
Enjoy more highlights from the play so far in the first round of #themasters. pic.twitter.com/n6SouTskAv
— Masters Tournament (@TheMasters) April 6, 2017
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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
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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.
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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.
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Ronald Montesano
Apr 8, 2017 at 7:46 am
Watch the internet feeds if you can. Eliminates a lot of the chatter you disdain.
joro
Apr 7, 2017 at 10:05 am
Way to go Charlie, now keep it going. Then come back and wear the Jacket to Hodads.
Ser
Apr 7, 2017 at 3:51 am
The weather got to some and showed its teeth, but the course didn’t. Neither affected Charlie Hoffman, so this is a big SHANK! for this article.
TR1PTIK
Apr 7, 2017 at 1:59 pm
So you don’t think the design of the course had any part to play? Yes, wind might be the determining factor, but the fact that players can’t bump and run their way onto every green is another consideration (one which the article clearly pointed out).
Ronald Montesano
Apr 8, 2017 at 7:47 am
The edges of these ANGC greens are deadly. They seduce the ball off, like a siren call to sailors.
Fat Perez
Apr 7, 2017 at 3:38 am
That Speef, I know it’s Spieth, kid got demons on this course. 9?!!! Yikes!
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