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Mercedes Championship Third Round Review

Mike Weir leads by one stroke over Nick Watney and two shots over Daniel Chopra and Jonathan Byrd. With a total of a dozen players within 5 stokes of the lead the final round shapes up to be one of make a lot of birdies or get trampled by those going past. The list of chasers include a lot of experience; Vijay Singh, Jim Furyk, Angel Cabrera, Steve Stricker, Steven Ames, among others. Maybe due to the soft conditions caused by the weird weather we see more players with the opportunity to win than ever. This sets the stage for an entertaining final round to the years first official event.

Published

18 years ago

Jan 6, 2008

Eric Schuster

Mike Weir sits precariously atop the leaderboard by a single shot after the third round of the Mercedes Championship in Kapalua, Hawaii.

He best not look back today as there are a dozen players chasing him within five shots of his 13 under par total. Nick Watney birdied his last two holes and will play in the final group with Mr. Weir, one shot behind. Daniel Chopra and Jonathan Byrd are another shot behind, and the rest of the chasers include Vijay Singh, Jim Furyk, Steve Stricker, and US Open champ Angel Cabrera. Not exactly a group of slouches. "There’s a lot of guys that have an opportunity tomorrow," Steve Stricker said after a 68 that left him four shots behind. "For me, it’s going to take a real low one to catch him. But it’s out there."

Out there indeed, as the Plantation Course finally started to dry out and resemble the mountainside course we’re used to seeing it’ll be interesting to see who can make a serious move during tomorrow’s closing round. With the course soaked by on again off again rain it has played significantly softer than in years past, something Mr. Weir indicated may be contributing to the bunched leaderboard.

"There a lot of guys behind me with a lot of experience," Weir said. "I’m sure I’m going to have to shoot 5, 6, 7 under tomorrow, depending on what the day gives us. But I’m sure I’m going to have to shoot somewhere in that range to pull this thing out." Given the way his short game is working such a score is eminantly doable for Mr. Weir.

Mr. Chopra thinks it might take an even lower score to catch Mr. Weir, something like the 62 K.J. Choi shot in 2003. "If it’s soft, the greens are soft and the wind doesn’t blow, somebody can do that tomorrow," Chopra said. "Anybody can still win."

Mr. Watney made up a lot of ground on his final two holes with an approach that caught the ridge and grain beautifully on the 17th hole that set up a 20-foot birdie, then nearly reached the 650-yard closing hole in two for a routine birdie to get in the final group.

"I hit the ball really well. It was a pretty stress-free day as far as that goes," Watney said. "I made some putts coming down the stretch, which is nice, and I’m excited for tomorrow."

"For whatever reason, there just isn’t much separation, which is good for me because I haven’t done anything to separate myself," said Justin Leonard, who was in the group at 9 under. "There’s a lot of guys there. It would be easier being four shots behind with only a couple of players ahead of you. I’m not going out there thinking about winning the tournament, but it is doable."

With this many players this close together, I anticipate an exciting finish to the first tournament of the year and a sense of gratitude that I’ll still be able to watch both the NFL playoffs and the final round thanks to the time difference. Some days, life indeed is good.

Aside: The commissioner, Tim Finchem is not attending the Mercedes Championship this year. Not a big deal really, as he doesn’t attend every event and has been here the last two years. What is interesting is that no senior PGA Tour staff is here at all. Nada. Zip. Seems like taking a page from LPGA commissioner Carolyn Bivens’ book. Bizarre book to copy in my opinion.

"I’m pretty disappointed there’s no senior staff from the PGA TOUR here on opening day," Ogilvie said before adding a heavy dose of sarcasm. "Of course, when you shut down your offices from the 21st of December to the second of January … I don’t know of a $1 billion company that does that. It’s puzzling."

Ogilvie said he felt it sent a bad message, especially with four of the top 10 players in the world skipping the winners-only event. Woods, who earned $10.8 million last year, said he wanted to spend time with his family. Mickelson, second on the money list in 2007 with just over $5.8 million, did not give a reason and has not played at Kapalua since 2001. Also missing are British Open champion Padraig Harrington and Shell Houston Open winner Adam Scott.

I guess Hawaii in January isn’t appealing to many these days. My suggestion, heed your behavior boys a fat dog is a lazy dog and a lazy dog don’t hunt so good. A dog that don’t hunt is a dog in need of replacement.

Tour Photo Galleries

Photos from the 2026 Memorial Tournament

Published

2 days ago

Jun 1, 2026

GolfWRX Staff

GolfWRX is on site this week at the Memorial Tournament, with both Alistair Cameron and Tour Photographer Greg Moore on the ground in Dublin, Ohio, where a strong field is assembled to pay homage to the Golden Bear.

In addition to WITB galleries, we’ve already been treated to an in-hand look at Tommy Fleetwood’s new TaylorMade Spider putters.

Check out links to all our photos below.

General Albums

WITB Albums

Pullout Albums

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Tour Tech Rundown: Heroic Henley

Published

2 days ago

Jun 1, 2026

Ronald Montesano

Around the world, the golf wheel spun this final week in May of 2026. From New Jersey to Austria, with stops in Korea, Texas, and North Carolina (don’t let me route your next trip) the world’s finest put their golf games on display. There were three playoffs, some known commodities and some new talent. It was the sort of week that we hope to have at this point in the seasons. June and July afford double-digit major events, and perhaps, one of this week’s champions will use this success as a springboard to new heights. Time to run it all down, tech style, in this week’s Tour Tech Rundown.

Thanks to WITBHub, Today’s Golfer, GolfWRX, and Inside Tour Golf for initial research into equipment.

PGA Tour @ Charles Schwab Challenge: Heroic Henley denies Cole

Eric Cole did nearly everything that a fellow can do, to secure a first PGA Tour title. He stayed one shot clear of Ryder Cup player Ben Griffin. He kept US Open champion Gary Woodland and wunderkind Michael Brennan two shots distant. He posted 70 on day four to reach twelve under par. And then, Russell Henley revealed his Dr. Strange cloak. Henley made 47 feet of birdie putts on holes 16, 17, and 18, to jump from minus-nine to twelve-deep, and secured a spot in a playoff with Cole. The duo returned to the final tee, and put on a stripe show.

Both golfers found the fairway off the tee, and Henley improved on his regulation play with an approach to four feet. Cole did himself proud, tucking an iron to a dozen feet, but he was unable to convert the putt for three. Henley is one of the best putters on tour, and he proved it once more by draining a putt for a fourth consecutive birdie, and a sixth PGA Tour title. For Eric Cole, that first victory should come, and soon. He has done everything necessary to earn the chalice lift.

Henley’s Suitcase

Driver: Titleist TSi3 at 10 degrees. Shaft: Project X HZRDUS Smoke Black 70g 6.5 TX
Metal: Titleist TS3 at 16.5 degrees. Shaft: Project X HZRDUS Smoke Black 80 TX
Hybrid: Titleist TSi2 at 21 degrees. Shaft: Mitsubishi MMT hybrid 100 TX
Iron: Titleist T250 4-iron. Shaft: True Temper Dynamic Golf AMT Tour White X100
Irons: Titleist T100 5-6 irons. Shaft: True Temper Dynamic Golf AMT Tour White X100
Irons: Titleist T100 7-9 irons. Shaft: True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue X100
Wedges: Titleist Vokey Design SM11 at 48 and 50 degrees. Shaft: True Temper Dynamic Golf Tour Issue X100
Wedges: Titleist Vokey Design SM11 at 54 and 60 degrees. Shaft: rue Temper Dynamic Golf Tour Issue S400
Putter: Titleist Scotty Cameron T5 Tour Prototype

LPGA @ Shoprite LPGA: Welcome back, Celine!

Soo Bin Joo had her eyes on a maiden LPGA title. She held the lead after two rounds, then hit a red light at the intersection of can-I and how-To. Joo posted plus-two on day three in New Jersey, and dropped to a T4 finish, which was still a career-best for the young Korean golfer. Instead of a new face, a familiar face returned to the top of the podium.

Celine Boutier was the It Girl in 2023. She collected four victories, including a major title at Evian. Boutier reached world number one status, then simply faded into the background. No wins came her way over the next 30 months. On Sunday, she collected LPGA victory number seven, at the same trace as LPGA victory number two.

Day three saw Boutier manage the windswept Seaview Bay course with six birdies and a bogey. She was challenged in the end by Thailand’s Arpichaya Yubol, who signed for a 66 of her own. Yubol came up one shot shy of the top ladder rung. Finishing in third place at -7, two back of the winner, was Ireland’s Lauren Walsh.

Celine’s Suitcase

Driver: PXG 0311 Black Ops Tour-1 at 9 degrees. Shaft: Graphite Design AD IZ-5
Hybrid: PXG 0311 Black Ops at 19 and 22 degrees. Shaft: KBS Hybrid Prototype
Hybrid: PXG 0311 Gen5.
Iron: PXG 0311 P Gen 4 5-9 irons
Wedge: PXG 0311 T Gen 4 PW
Wedges: PXG 0311 Sugar Daddy II at 50, 54, 58 degrees
Putter: Bettinardi Studio Stock 3 DASS

DP World Tour @ Austrian Alpine: KK? KK!

Kota Kaneko has a rhythmic name. It has strong vowels and a run of voiceless stops in its crunchy K sounds. On Sunday in Austria, Kaneko put a stop to a challenge from Portugal’s Ricardo Gouveia and everyone else, and claimed a first-ever title on the DP World Tour. Gouveia did well to reach 16-under par over four days, but Kaneko held firm, two shots in the clear.

Davis Bryant of the USA also forged a strong challenge for the win. He ended in a tie with Gouveia for second place. Kaneko began and finished his final round in a bit of a malaise, but he caught fire midway through. Birdies at 10, 12, and 13 provided the necessary cushion to cruise to the finish line without breaking a serious sweat.

Kaneko’s Suitcase

Driver: Ping Max G440
Metals: TaylorMade Qi4D at 15, 16.5, 21, and 24 degrees
Irons: TaylorMade P760 5 and 6 irons
Irons: TaylorMade P7TW 7-9 irons
Wedges: Titleist Vokey Design at 46, 52, 56, and 60 degrees
Putter: Odyssey Ai-One Cruiser Arm Lock #7

Korn Ferry Tour @ UNC Health Championship: Improbably Alvaro

Alvaro Ortiz may have had a bit of scare on the outward nine on Sunday, but he came through in clutch fashion in the end. Ortiz began the day bogey-double, and added another double bogey at the 11th hole. He was mired in a downward trend, spiraling away from the top of the leader’s board. Ortiz found hope at the 14th, where his first birdie of the day tumbled home. Inspired, he closed with birdies and 17 and 18 to catch Ross Steelman at 10-under par, and the duo returned to the 18th deck for overtime.

The extra session concluded in brief time. Ortiz, buoyed by his newly-retrieved confidence, hit the fairway with driver, then approached to six feet and drained the putt. Gobsmacked, Steelman could do little more than smile and applaud, as his run at the top came to a close. The victory was the first for Ortiz on the KFT, and will implant him squarely in the chase for a PGA Tour promotion.

Alvaro’s Suitcase

Driver: Ping G430 MAX driver at 9 degrees loft
Metal: Ping G430 MAX 3W
Iron: Ping iDi Driving Iron
Irons: Ping Blueprint S irons
Wedges
Putter: Scottsdale TR Piper C

A party on the green!

Alvaro’s time comes in Raleigh with his first win @UNCHealthChamp ? pic.twitter.com/2dmtZdbSzk

— Korn Ferry Tour (@KornFerryTour) May 31, 2026

LIV @ Korea: Me llamo Joaquin

Chile’s Joaquin Niemann had been away from the LIV winner’s circle throughout all of 2026. This week in Korea, he reminded us that he is still a force to consider. Niemann chased down Taylor Gooch over the closing holes at Asiad Country Club, then claimed victory with a hole-one birdie in extra time. Bryson DeChambeau claimed solo third, one shot in arrears at minus-eleven. Dustin Johnson finished on fourth, one putt farther back.

Niemann’s Suitcase