News
Chamblee: Brooks Koepka is “just not in the class” of Woods, Johnson or McIlroy
On Tuesday, Golf Channel analyst Brandel Chamblee made an appearance on SiriusXM PGA TOUR Radio with host Hank Haney where Chamblee further explained and doubled down on his belief that Brooks Koepka is “not in the class” of Tiger Woods, Dustin Johnson, or Rory McIlroy.
The feud between Koepka and Chamblee escalated this week following the golf talking head describing Dustin Johnson and Rory McIlroy as the only players capable of challenging Tiger Woods as the best player in the world. Irked by the oversight, Koepka then published a photo of the analyst with a clown nose attached.
On Tuesday, Chamblee explained that he believes Koepka is a “heck of a player”, but moved to defend his stance that the American couldn’t win the 2019 Masters because of his “inability to move the ball right to left” and his “poor lag putting”, after some golf fans believed that the 29-year-old had proved Chamblee wrong after his runner-up finish.
“He made a double bogey on the second hole because he missed it left. That happens when you can’t comfortably swing it out and draw it around the corner. I said that his poor lag putting on the year would be an issue at Augusta National, and he three-putted five times. You know, you win and lose for reasons.
“I think Brooks (Koepka) is a hell of a player. I’ve said so I don’t even know how many times. He certainly wasn’t putting a clown nose on my face when I was lauding him all these years.”
Speaking on his omission from players Chamblee believes can challenge Woods at the top of the game, the golf analyst, in typical fashion, did not mince words. Chamblee explained that the reason Koepka does not possess the capability to challenge the 15-time major champ, unlike Dustin Johnson and Rory McIlroy, is because both Johnson and McIlroy are both better drivers, iron players and are better around the greens than Koepka.
“It’s not to say Brooks Koepka isn’t a hell of a player, and he may grow into becoming an even better player. Most recently I just omitted him as a player who I thought could challenge for the best player, of Tiger Woods, and I said Dustin Johnson and Rory McIlroy were more in line with those players.
“I chose those players for very specific reasons. They’re better drivers of the ball than Brooks, they’re better irons players than Brooks for the most part, they’re better around the greens than Brooks. … Would I put him right there behind those players? Absolutely. Brooks is an amazing player, he’s just not in the class of the other players that I’ve mentioned.”
"I think Brooks is a heck of a player…. He certainly wasn't putting a clown nose on my face when I was lauding him all these years." – @chambleebrandel joined Hank Haney Golf Radio to share his comments on @BKoepka pic.twitter.com/ibEj47IqUo
— SiriusXM PGA TOUR Radio (@SiriusXMPGATOUR) May 7, 2019
All quotes courtesy of SiriusXM PGA TOUR Radio.
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Tour Photo Galleries
Photos from the 2024 Zurich Classic of New Orleans
GolfWRX is live on site this week at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans for the PGA Tour’s one-and-only two-man team event.
As usual, general galleries, WITBs, and pullout albums — including some pretty spicy custom putters and headcovers — await your viewing.
Be sure to check back for more photos from the Big Easy, as we’ll continue to update this page with additional galleries throughout the week.
General Albums
- 2024 Zurich Classic – Monday #1
- 2024 Zurich Classic – Monday #2
- 2024 Zurich Classic – Tuesday #1
- 2024 Zurich Classic – Tuesday #2
WITB Albums
- Alex Fitzpatrick – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Austin Cook – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Alejandro Tosti – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Davis Riley – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- MJ Daffue – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Nate Lashley – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- James Nicholas – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Kevin Streelman – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Rasmus Hojgaard – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Tom Whitney – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- SangMoon Bae – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Daniel Berger – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Rory McIlroy – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Russ Cochrane – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Aldrich Potgieter – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Steve Stricker WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Drew Brees WITB (Legendary New Orleans Saints QB) – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Derek Carr (New Orleans Saints QB) – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Thriston Lawrence WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
Pullout Albums
- MJ Daffue’s custom Cameron putter – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Cameron putters – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Swag covers ( a few custom for Nick Hardy) – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Custom Bettinardi covers for Matt and Alex Fitzpatrick – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Doug Ghim’s custom Cameron putter – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Patrick Cantlay spotted testing a Scotty Cameron blade putter – 2024 Zurich Classic
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News
Morning 9: Tiger’s TGL teammates | Woosnam’s criticism of Cantlay | Rory’s return to tour policy board
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News
Tour Rundown: Six-pack of tourneys follows Masters
Brazil and Texas were kindred souls this week, at least when it came to weather. Both regions experienced torrential delays, and three tournaments were held up. The LPGA, PGA Tour Americas, and PGA Tour Champions were compelled to reduce play or work extra holes into Sunday. As if that weren’t enough, South Carolina and the PGA Tour fell victim to nature’s wrath, with lightning postponing the conclusion of the event to Monday.
The year’s first women’s major championship was celebrated in Texas. The Chevron is gaining a bit of tradition in its second year after relocation. This year’s event culminated in the continued coronation of the game’s current best. The Korn Ferry Tour saw a top-twenty performance from a 15-year old amateur, while the second event of the week on the big tour found a winner in the Dominican Republic. Six events is more than a handful, so let’s get right to it, with this week’s (delayed) Tour Rundown.
LPGA @ Chevron Championship: Korda corrals second major title
The winter of 2022-2023 seems so distant for current Nelly Korda. A mysterious ailment sapped all of her energy, just as the world appeared to have finally emerged from the pandemic. We never quite secured the complete information that we desired, but no one can say that any of us deserved to know more than Nelly wished to share. One thing is for certain: Nelly Korda has returned to top form, and the world number one golfer is at least one level above anyone else on tour.
Korda began her 2024 campaign with a January victory in the Drive One Championship. In her next start, in March, she continued her assault on the record books, with a win at the Se Ri Pak. She won again the following week, at the Ford, then defeated Leona Maguire in the final match at the T-Mobile Match Play, for a fourth consecutive victory. Would the increased hype around a major championship have an impact on her game? Well, no.
Korda began play at the Chevron Championship with a score of 68. She trailed Lauren Coughlin by two after 18 holes, but caught her with a second-round 69. Coughlin would ultimately tie for third spot with Brooke Henderson. Henderson played with Korda on day four, but the middle third of the round was her undoing. Making a late move was Maja Stark. House Stark closed with birdies at 17 and 18 to reach 11 under par. Both Korda and Strak played the final three days in identical numbers: 69 each day.
Korda held a firm hand on the tournament over the course of the final day. She stood minus-four for the round through ten holes, before a bit of sloppy play made things competitive again. Bogeys at 11 and 15 opened the door a wee bit for Stark. Korda was equal to the test, however, and closed stylishly with birdie at 18.
Safely around the green on the 72nd hole
Watch @NellyKorda‘s historic finish now on NBC! pic.twitter.com/1zaAYtbaCz
— LPGA (@LPGA) April 21, 2024
PGA Tour 1 @ RBC: Scottie, so hottie!
Nelly isn’t the only golfer on fire, although Scottie Scheffler still has a ways to go to match her. Scheffler proved this week that he has a game for all courses. After winning comfortably at lengthy Augusta National, Scheffler shifted gears and game to the wee Sea Pines course, and won again. That’s two weeks in a row for the man from New Jersey/Texas, so let’s learn how he did it.
Scheffler totaled 69 on day one, and found himself six shots behind leader J.T. Poston. Scheffler revealed that his teacher, Randy Smith, would tell him that he didn’t need to be the best 15 year-old; just the best 25 year-old. It was easy, then, to play the long game and consider all 72 holes, instead of just 18. Scheffler improved to 65 on Friday, and then went even lower on Saturday. His 63 moved him to the top of the board, and caused the golfverse to wonder if Scheffler would win for a second consecutive week.
Sunday saw all the chasers fall away. Scores between 70 and 72 from Patrick Rodgers, Collin Morikawa, and Sepp Straka meant that others would need to seize the day, if Scheffler were to do more than coast. Wyndham Clark and Justin Thomas each moved inside the top five with fourth-round 65s, but no one ever got close enough to the world number one. The win was Scheffler’s 10th on tour, and made him the betting favorite for next month’s PGA Championship at Valhalla.
Scottie Scheffler can save par from just about anywhere.
Including the water ?
(Presented by @CDWCorp) pic.twitter.com/RUqL2sBrr9
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) April 22, 2024
PGA Tour 2 @ Corales Puntacana: Baton Boy claims 8th Tour triumph
If you’ve ever seen Billy Horschel toss a club, you know that he doesn’t do so in anger. More likely is a calculated, soaring arc, paired with a look of fractured disbelief, followed by a quick catch of the cudgel. Ergo, Baton Boy. This week on the island of Hispaniola, the native of Grant, Florida, outworked and outhustled everyone else on Sunday. Horschel gathered seven birdies and an eagle, on the way to a 63 and a 23-under par total.
The former Florida Gator zipped past the four golfers in front of him, and left the remaining field in the rear-view mirror. Horschel’s round was two shots better than anyone else, and moved him two shots ahead of third-round leader Wesley Bryan. One of the famed Bryan Brothers, Wes closed with birdie at the last to post a 68 that would have won the week on any other day.
Walking it in with a fist pump ?@BillyHo_Golf is 9-under on the day and leads by two @CoralesChamp. pic.twitter.com/N6rjL1GGGA
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) April 21, 2024
Korn Ferry Tour @ LeCom Suncoast: It’s Widing in extra holes
Miles Russell probably won’t have to serve detention for ditching class on Thursday and Friday. The high school freshman made his KFT debut, survived the 36-hole cut, and toyed with a top-ten finish. He ultimately tied for 20th at 14-under par, six shots behind the three co-leaders. My guess is that Epstein’s Mom will write him a note, and he’ll get a pass. By finishing top-25, Russell earned a spot in next week’s event. Yikes!
Back to the top of the board. Patrick Cover, Steven Fisk, and Tim Widing all found their way to the magic number of -20. Fisk made birdie at the last, after bogeys at 16 and 17. Cover had three bogeys on the back nine, but a birdie at 14 was enough to get him to overtime. Widing was plus-one on the day through four, but played interstellar golf over the final 14. Six birdies moved him from Russell-ville to extra time.
The trio scurried to the 18th tee, where Cover drove into a fairway bunker. He was unable to reach the green with his approach, made bogey, and exited the overtime session. Widing and Fisk returned to the final deck once more, and matters were resolved. Fisk was unable to convert a long par putt, and Widing (pronounced VEE-ding) tapped in for his first KFT title.
The feeling of relief when you know you won. ???
Tim Widing is now a champion on the #KornFerryTour. pic.twitter.com/K0vgiZ21UG
— Korn Ferry Tour (@KornFerryTour) April 21, 2024
PGA Tour Americas @ Brasil Open: Mr. Anderson finds a way
Golf is a funny game. Matthew Anderson held a lead with one round to play. He made six pars on Sunday, and sprinkled the rest of his card with birdies and bogeys. In complete contrast, Ollie Osborne played consistently on the day, posting four birdies and zero bogeys. Connor Godsey was not far off Osborne’s pace, with seven birdies and but two bogeys on the scorecard. So, of course, Matthew Anderson won by a stroke over Osborne and Godsey.
Not how, but how many, is another one of those platitudes that we all learn early on. Despite five bogeys through his first 14 holes, Anderson summoned the defiant grit to make birdie at the 71st and 72nd holes. After making deuce at the penultimat hole, Anderson’s swerving effort at the last looked as if it should miss low, but it had enough pace to stay inside the hole and fall for a closing four at the par-five finisher.
Birdie-birdie finish to secure the ?
Mississauga-native Matthew Anderson is your 69th ECP Brazil Open Champion. pic.twitter.com/ONE8hIUjeS
— PGA TOUR Americas (@PGATOURAmericas) April 21, 2024
PGA Tour Champions @ Invited Celebrity: Broadhurst stands tall
What do you call a tournament that begins on Friday, takes Saturday off, and finishes on Sunday? Fortunate is one adjective to use. A weather system moved through Texas this weekend, and made a mess of things in Irving. After Thomas Bjorn signed for 64 on day one, rain and all things counter-productive moved through the Las Colinas resort, ensuring that Saturday would be nothing more than a rest day. When Sunday arrived, conditions had improved, and the game was on. Bjorn was unable to preserve his Friday magic, although he did record a 70 for -8. He finished in a third-place tie with Y.E. Yang.
David Toms, the 2001 PGA Championship victor, presented Sunday’s low round, and moved to 10-under par. Toms made one mistake on the day. He lived in the rough on the 9th hole, ultimately making bogey. The rest of the day was immaculate, as seven birdies came his way, resulting in a six-under par 65. Only one golfer was able to surpass Toms, and that was Paul Broadhurst.
Broadhurst nearly matched Toms for daily honors. His mistake came early, with bogey at the second. He bounced back with eagle at the third, and added three more birdies for 66 and 11-under par. Over his first three seasons on the Tour Champions, Broadhurst won five times, including two major titles. His fifth win came in 2018, making this win his first in six years. A long time coming, for sure, but well earned.
Looking at the hole is working for @PBroadhurstGolf ?
He leads by one after a clutch birdie on 15 @InvitedCC. pic.twitter.com/S0rhcVwaeE
— PGA TOUR Champions (@ChampionsTour) April 21, 2024
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Brandel Chamblee has ‘no doubt’ who started the McIlroy/LIV rumor and why
Scott Koontz
May 10, 2019 at 10:32 pm
LOLZ at Chamblee criticizing Brooks as a bad matchup for Augusta when the man comes in 2nd.
Dave r
May 10, 2019 at 10:52 am
Brandel how are you still employeed . Like really just get on your horse and ride off into the sunset. You need to get a reality check. I mute my tv every time you open your mouth to talk you so full of yourself . Man it must suck to be so perfect.
Jack
May 8, 2019 at 9:16 pm
How many regular tour events has Brooks won?
Brandon
May 8, 2019 at 8:51 pm
Chamblee is Stephen A. Smith in white face.
Tom54
May 8, 2019 at 6:59 pm
Koepka can’t win the Masters cause he can’t hit the draw when he needs it? Last time I checked a Mr Nicklaus won there 6 times and his preferred ball flight was a …………?
Larry hagel
May 8, 2019 at 6:55 pm
Who cares what the so called expert says. What’s he ever done in golf that matters.
Justin
May 8, 2019 at 6:32 pm
chamblee is correct. nothing he said is wrong.
Before we all get too excited about 3 majors in two years, I give you Padraig Harrington. Let’s see Brooks sustain this before anointing him above guys with 15 and 20 wins respectively. Too many people hate everything Chamblee says because its en vogue.
greg mcneill
May 8, 2019 at 5:37 pm
If he wasn’t controversial, he would be irrelevant. I don’t know if he really some of the stuff he says and writes or if he’s just taking positions that will get a rise from people. I think Brandel understands golf, is a student of golf and is a capable observer, but so are dozens of other former golfers. He has to find a way to stand out. This is another example.
Tim Armington
May 9, 2019 at 12:41 pm
I couldnt agree more!
Dave
May 8, 2019 at 3:03 pm
Isn’t this the same “clown” that said over and over that Tiger would NEVER win another major??? Why is he now calling Tiger the best golfer in the world?
David Johns
May 9, 2019 at 12:20 pm
He said he would never win another major with the swing he using a few years ago. He has since changed his swing and Chamblee changed his opinion (well before Tiger won a major or even a Tournament).
C
May 8, 2019 at 2:48 pm
Get this clown off the air, NOW !!!!!
sammy
May 8, 2019 at 12:27 pm
Chamblee is making his own best case for being obtuse.
Distance Compression Dude
May 8, 2019 at 12:27 pm
Brandel Chamblee is the Brandel Chamblee of golf.
Brent Mann
May 8, 2019 at 12:18 pm
Why do they keep giving this jerk a platform.
Erik Morden
May 8, 2019 at 10:58 am
Ok so is Chamblee high? Koepka has three majors with 2 in one year, that puts him one behind Rory and two ahead of DJ so how is Koepka not in the same class. They all hit the ball well they all have won at the highest levels how is Koepka different?
Justin
May 8, 2019 at 10:47 am
So Chamblee says his reason that Brooks is not in the same category as Rory is that he didn’t win The Masters. Remind me what year did Rory win The Masters? It is really hard for this man to admit that he was wrong.
Aj
May 8, 2019 at 10:55 am
Brooks has won 3 majors in 2 years Rory 0 Dustin 0
Andrew
May 8, 2019 at 2:48 pm
Aj you forgot to add Chamblee 0 in 20 years
judy crockett
May 9, 2019 at 12:27 am
I have never seen such a bare attack of jealousy on a golfer. Brandel you are clearly very jealous of the best striker of the golf ball on tour and his lack of response to your nastiness and hatred of his pure raw talent is eating you up. SHAME I feel sad for you being so alone.