Tour News
Move over, Butch: Nick Watney working with Todd Anderson
In the world of golf news, there are surprising headlines. Consider this recent bulletin from the San Diego Union-Tribune: “Shear madness: Hoffman cuts famous hair” (Really. He finally did. Photo evidence, here).
Then, there are the less surprising stories that come across the wire, like the news that Nick Watney and Butch Harmon have ended their teacher-pupil relationship.
Butch Harmon, of course, tweeted some less-than-encouraging remarks about his student earlier this year.
Following Watney’s rounds of 82-77 to miss the cut at the Memorial, his coach tweeted: “Wow N Watney +15, didn’t see this coming. Must be having some personal problems.”
Whether a social media spat was the impetus for the breakup is unclear, and it’s not likely that either party will say.
Harmon, for his part, apologized for the comments and elected to step away from Twitter after the remarks. Watney made the cut in four of the five non-major tournaments after the Memorial. However, he missed the cut at the U.S. Open, and again at the PGA Championship.
Some might suggest that Watney would be better off ending his relationship with Nike.
In his maiden campaign for the Swoosh, Watney has struggled. After a 2012 season in which the golfer made 23 of 26 cuts, finished inside the top 10 five times and won The Barclays, Watney has taken a step backward. He’s made 15 of 21 cuts with two top-10 finishes this year, but has missed the cut in five of his last nine tournaments.
Whether it’s the indian or the arrow, is unclear. What is clear, however, is Watney has begun working with Todd Anderson, according to multiple sources. The two were seen refining the Nike staffer’s swing on the range at Oak Hill during the PGA Championship.
Anderson’s stable also includes Brandt Snedeker and Billy Horschel.
Watney is defending his Barclays title at Liberty National GC next week.
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Tour Photo Galleries
Photos from the 2024 PGA Championship
GolfWRX is on site this week at Valhalla Golf Club in Louisville, Kentucky, for the PGA Championship.
While we see fewer equipment changes and new gear seeding at major championships, we get a look at custom gear and looks into the bags of players we rarely see, which is just as exciting. In the case of the PGA Championship, this means a look at the gear some of the PGA Professionals who qualified for the tournament will be gaming, and LIV players, such as Jon Rahm and Patrick Reed.
Check out links to all our albums from Valhalla below and check back throughout the week as we continue to update.
General Albums
WITB Albums
- Michael Block – WITB – 2024 PGA Championship
- Patrick Reed – WITB – 2024 PGA Championship
- Cam Smith – WITB – 2024 PGA Championship
- Brooks Koepka – WITB – 2024 PGA Championship
- Josh Speight – WITB – 2024 PGA Championship
- Takumi Kanaya – WITB – 2024 PGA Championship
- Kyle Mendoza – WITB – 2024 PGA Championship
- Adrian Meronk – WITB – 2024 PGA Championship
- Jordan Smith – WITB – 2024 PGA Championship
- Jeremy Wells – WITB – 2024 PGA Championship
- Jared Jones – WITB – 2024 PGA Championship
- John Somers – WITB – 2024 PGA Championship
- Larkin Gross – WITB – 2024 PGA Championship
- Tracy Phillips – WITB – 2024 PGA Championship
- Jon Rahm – WITB – 2024 PGA Championship
- Keita Nakajima – WITB – 2024 PGA Championship
- Kazuma Kobori – WITB – 2024 PGA Championship
- David Puig – WITB – 2024 PGA Championship
- Ryan Van Velzen – WITB – 2024 PGA Championship
- Brad Marek – WITB – 2024 PGA Championship
- Chris Gotterup – WITB – 2024 PGA Championship
- Rich Beem WITB – 2024 PGA Championship
Pullout Albums
- Ping putter covers – 2024 PGA Championship
- Bettinardi covers – 2024 PGA Championship
- Cameron putter covers – 2024 PGA Championship
- Max Homa – Titleist 2 wood – 2024 PGA Championship
- Scotty Cameron experimental putter shaft by UST – 2024 PGA Championship
- Joaquin Niemann – new Ping putter – 2024 PGA Championship
- Brooks Koepka’s new Cameron putter – 2024 PGA Championship
- Rickie Fowler’s Cobra bag and Aerojet driver – 2024 PGA Championship
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News
Photos from the 2024 Wells Fargo Championship
GolfWRX is live this week at the Wells Fargo Championship as a field of the world’s best golfers descend upon Charlotte, North Carolina, hoping to tame the beast that is Quail Hollow Club in this Signature Event — only Scottie Scheffler, who is home awaiting the birth of his first child, is absent.
From the grounds at Quail Hollow, we have our usual assortment of general galleries and WITBs — including a look at left-hander Akshay Bhatia’s setup. Among the pullout albums, we have a look inside Cobra’s impressive new tour truck for you to check out. Also featured is a special look at Quail Hollow king, Rory McIlroy.
Be sure to check back throughout the week as we add more galleries.
General Albums
- 2024 Wells Fargo Championship – Monday #1
- 2024 Wells Fargo Championship – Tuesday #1
- 2024 Wells Fargo Championship – Tuesday #2
WITB Albums
- Akshay Bhatia – WITB – 2024 Wells Fargo Championship
- Matthieu Pavon – WITB – 2024 Wells Fargo Championship
- Keegan Bradley – WITB – 2024 Wells Fargo Championship
- Webb Simpson – WITB – 2024 Wells Fargo Championship
- Emiliano Grillo – WITB – 2024 Wells Fargo Championship
- Taylor Pendrith – WITB – 2024 Wells Fargo Championship
- Kevin Tway – WITB – 2024 Wells Fargo Championship
Pullout Albums
- New Cobra equipment truck – 2024 Wells Fargo Championship
- Rory McIlroy – 2024 Wells Fargo Championship
- New Cobra equipment truck – 2024 Wells Fargo Championship
- Eric Cole’s custom Cameron putter – 2024 Wells Fargo Championship
- Custom Cameron putter – 2024 Wells Fargo Championship
- Matt Kuchar’s custom Bettinardi – 2024 Wells Fargo Championship
- Justin Thomas – driver change – 2024 Wells Fargo Championship
- Rickie Fowler – putter change – 2024 Wells Fargo Championship
- Rickie Fowler’s new custom Odyssey Jailbird 380 putter – 2024 Wells Fargo Championship
- Tommy Fleetwood testing a TaylorMade Spider Tour X (with custom neck) – 2024 Wells Fargo Championship
- Cobra Darkspeed Volition driver – 2024 Wells Fargo Championship
See what GolfWRXers are saying about our Wells Fargo Championship photos in the forums.
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Tour Photo Galleries
Photos from the 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
GolfWRX is on site this week in McKinney, Texas, at the 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson (FKA the AT&T Byron Nelson).
Last year at TPC Craig Ranch, Jason Day ended a five-year winless streak. J-Day is in the field again, as are Jordan Spieth, Tom Kim, and Will Zalatoris.
We have our usual assortment of general galleries, WITBs, and pullout albums for your perusal. As always, we’ll continue to add links to additional albums as they make their way to us from the Lone Star State.
Check out links to all our photos below.
General Albums
- 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson – Monday #1
- 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson – Monday #2
- 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson – Tuesday #1
- 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson – Tuesday #2
- 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson – Tuesday #3
WITB Albums
- Pierceson Coody – WITB – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- Kris Kim – WITB – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- David Nyfjall – WITB – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- Adrien Dumont de Chassart – WITB – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- Jarred Jetter – North Texas PGA Section Champ – WITB – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- Richy Werenski – WITB – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- Wesley Bryan – WITB – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- Parker Coody – WITB – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- Peter Kuest – WITB – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- Blaine Hale, Jr. – WITB – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- Kelly Kraft – WITB – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- Rico Hoey – WITB – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
Pullout Albums
- Adam Scott’s 2 new custom L.A.B. Golf putters – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- Scotty Cameron putters – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- Ben Griffin playing Maxfli golf ball
See what GolfWRXers are saying in the forums.
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prb
Oct 25, 2013 at 9:54 am
You all are taking what Harmon said in the wrong way. He was just trying to say nick is to damn good to shoot that. Probably because has tremendous confidence in his abilities. As for him being a good instructor you all are assuming these incredibly talented players can’t assess whether someone is giving them valuable information or not. I guess you think they are stupid.:-)
Deaus7
Aug 25, 2013 at 11:45 am
Butch is the Freddie Roach (boxing trainer) of golf insrtucters. Takes guys who have already won or are already on Championship level and takes responsibility for everything positive his student does and blames the student for everything negative. Coaches need to leave their egos at home. Golf is not about have a textbook swing, all you have to do is have a repeating consistent motion to produce good results ala Jim Furyk, Fred Couples, Ray Floyd ect, ect.
Blanco
Aug 19, 2013 at 5:52 pm
Butch has Greg Norman Disease. His ego is much larger than his celebrity. Good for Nick for moving along– he’ll turn it around.
Bob Husbands
Aug 19, 2013 at 4:59 pm
loose to stupid oversized-hat Nick…can’t play golf with an umbrella on your head. Where do I send the bill for this tip?
christian
Aug 19, 2013 at 3:46 am
Nike wanted it…
John
Aug 18, 2013 at 8:03 pm
Did butch ever make anyone good? All of his guys are naturals that are inconsistent but talented.
Curt
Aug 18, 2013 at 10:52 pm
Great point. Its like a guy in my business saying he makes millions a year in investments. Come to find out, he makes millions because he started out with 100 million that daddy passed on to him. Easy to make millions when you started with many millions…………..
Same for a golf teacher: Tiger and Phil would have won many majors with or without Butch!
jonathan creech
Aug 18, 2013 at 12:08 pm
Todd Anderson will have a more positive influence on Nick Watney. Good career move
J
Aug 18, 2013 at 7:43 am
Purely mental. The equipment is identical to their equipment from last year…the back of the iron head may have a different logo… But C’Mon Man!!! Anyone really think they don’t completely customize this stuff for these guys..
chris franklin
Aug 18, 2013 at 7:34 am
Just the usual nonsense where the media have over-hyped the expectations of how someone is going to perform.
Watney is one of the legion of pros whom the media announced as the next golf great and who are now equally as eager to shoot down because he hasn’t lived up to the levels that THEY and nobody else predicted.
Jim
Aug 17, 2013 at 11:39 pm
Money… and equipment. Rory, Watney, and Stanley can’t make the transition.
Harry
Aug 18, 2013 at 5:48 am
People saying its the equipment is ridiculous, i haven’t seen throbjorn oleson struggling this year?
pooch
Aug 17, 2013 at 10:37 pm
It’s always the player and never the equipment. Especially in today’s world of high tech materials and CAD. I dislike when the talking heads go directly to the equipment change as the problem. Many times it’s the multi million dollar contracts that accompany the player that have the negative effect.
Nick
Aug 20, 2013 at 1:56 pm
It’s not that the equipment is inferior but when a long time Titleist player switches equipment, some of those players will find the different feel (not inferior feel, just different) of new equipment more difficult to adjust to than others.
You cannot say that a guy who has to have his clubs tipped a quarter inch and an extra wrap of tape under the grip is oblivious to a totally different head at the end of his stick. They notice, and sometimes the adjustment period is longer than they expected.
This of course also starts to play mind games.
I’m not saying I know the source of Watney and Rory’s fall from form, but to say it is “never the equipment” ignores that the player and his equipment are a package that is inextricably intertwined.
I don’t deny that the pressure of a multi million dollar Nike contract also could have an effect, but to say its “never the equipment” seems a stretch.
naflack
Aug 17, 2013 at 10:21 pm
Can’t quit Nike and he needed to change something…
I’d have canned Butch after the unnecessary tweet.