Tour News
Patrick Reed wins multi-faceted Cadillac Championship
Who won the WGC-Cadillac Championship on Sunday all depends on whom you ask. Golf architecture buffs will point to architect Gil Hanse, whose renovation of Dick Wilson’s Blue Monster served to wet appetites for his work at the Brazil Olympic venue. Finance aficionados point to Donald Trump as triumphant, given that he can now charge $450 a round during high season. As far as the world’s golf professionals are concerned, the second WGC title of 2014 rests in the arms of Patrick Reed.
After claiming a two-stroke lead on Saturday evening, the two-time PGA Tour event-winning Reed came out of the gate on Sunday with irons ablaze. He birdied three of his first four holes (semi-offset by a second-hole bogey) to take control of the tournament. As all champions learn, Reed then put the machine on auto-pilot with nine consecutive pars. A bogey hiccup on No. 14 brought him back a bit, but pars on the next three holes righted the ship. The steady play reinforced words he had spoken the previous evening, after his Saturday 69:
“But I stayed in my rhythm, stayed in my golf game and my game plan, and that’s why I’m sitting here with the lead,” he said, “because I’m not getting ahead of myself and not trying to play against other people, just playing my own game.”
Bubba Watson made the first run at Reed, posting an unblemished 68 to enter the clubhouse at 3-under par, roughly an hour before Reed arrived at the 18th tee. Watson has already won in 2014, at the Northern Trust Open at Riviera Country Club last month. He was keen to put some pressure on the third-round leader, after consecutive birdies at Nos. 15 and 16. A makeable birdie was missed on No. 17 and was followed by a fortunate scramble on the closing hole, locking up his second runner-up finish of 2014.
Next came Jamie Donaldson of Wales. Somewhat unknown in the U.S., Donaldson made his run on the inward nine at Doral. Three birdies brought him within two of Reed, but the Welshman was unable to stay the course. A weak approach into the final green resulted in a closing bogey, a round of 70 and a tie for second with Watson.
Despite the strangest of layups off the tee on No. 18, Reed again gathered himself to play out the hole in four more strokes. His 19-inch tap-in for bogey on the tournament’s 72nd hole secured his second win of 2014 and his first World Golf Championship victory.
Yet again, Tiger Woods played himself into contention on Saturday, this time with a six-under par 66, the low round of the week. On Sunday, Woods went six blows the other side of par, posting an uninspired 78 to drop from fourth place to a tie for 25th. After grinding out a 73 on Friday and igniting hopes with the glorious 66 on Saturday, this Tiger was left with an empty tank on Sunday.
A 365-day glance back at the 2013 Cadillac Championship scoreboard revealed a two-stroke win by Tiger Woods, at 19-under par. A total of 19 players finished better than 6-under, the winning score this year. No doubt remains that the changes made by Hanse, Jim Wagner and their team after last year’s event changed the way the golf course looks, feels and plays, down to its very core. Very few professionals devoid of commentary on the new Blue Monster at Doral.
And the greens, yeah, the greens are going to take some learning. They are busy. There’s a lot more humps and hollows; but in saying that, that could also lead to some birdies,” Justin Rose said of the putting surface. “Because if pins are in hollows and feeder pins, if you hit the right shot at the right time with a wedge, you can get the ball closer than maybe you could on a flat green.”
Jason Day, on the course from tee to green, especially the famous 18th hole:
But really, the distances, it’s not about… if you can carry 320 yards, then it’s all about distance. But most of the bunkers are at 300 to 320 carry from the back tees and it’s very difficult. Now, granted, the fairway bunkers, you can still get to the greens. I don’t think they are so severe which is a good thing because of the course, they have lengthened the course a lot.
“The northeast wind from 18, they lengthened the hole, it’s a 300-yard carry left over the water now, and that’s not including the wind. They have added mounds to the right there with a lot more trees. So you have to really kind of … you’re either going to blow it way, way right on to the first fairway, which it’s not easy now because they have added bunkers there, as well, so you really have to kind of hit a good shot down 18.”
Gil Hanse, summarizing what he has heard:
“The nice thing is we are hearing sort of across the range, not just the bombers love it. Some of the shorter players feel like their course management is going to be an important part of what they do out there with the new fairway bunkering so that’s a positive. You don’t want to hear only the bombers saying it’s great and have the other players say there’s something wrong with it.”
For years, pundits and players alike questioned the wisdom of WGC events so close together (the match play took place in February), as they simultaneously wondered about the low scores posted each event. Now, the tables have turned. Doral is a finer challenge than ever and seems to be a perfect fit for the WGC and its Cadillac Championship. As far as Trump is concerned, the Blue Monster is in the books and it’s on to his latest acquisition, the Greg Norman-designed Doonbeg Golf Club in Ireland. Don’t be surprised if a WGC event finds its way to the emerald isle at some point in the future.
- LIKE0
- LEGIT0
- WOW0
- LOL0
- IDHT0
- FLOP0
- OB0
- SHANK0
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.
- LIKE10
- LEGIT0
- WOW0
- LOL0
- IDHT0
- FLOP0
- OB0
- SHANK1
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
- LIKE7
- LEGIT3
- WOW1
- LOL0
- IDHT0
- FLOP0
- OB0
- SHANK2
Tour Photo Galleries
Photos from the 2024 RBC Heritage
GolfWRX is on site this week at Harbour Town Golf Links on Hilton Head Island for the RBC Heritage. Plenty of golfers who competed in the Masters last week will be making the quick turnaround in the Lowcountry of South Carolina as the Heritage is again one of the Tour’s Signature Events.
We have general albums for you to check out, as well as plenty of WITBs — including Justin Thomas and Justin Rose.
We’ll continue to update as more photos flow in from SC.
Check out links to all our photos, below.
General Albums
- 2024 RBC Heritage – Monday #1
- 2024 RBC Heritage – Monday #2
- 2024 RBC Heritage – Tuesday #1
- 2024 RBC Heritage – Tuesday #2
WITB Albums
- Justin Thomas – WITB – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Justin Rose – WITB – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Chandler Phillips – WITB – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Nick Dunlap – WITB – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Thomas Detry – WITB – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Austin Eckroat – WITB – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Xander Schauffele – WITB – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Jason Day – WITB – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Will Zalatoris – WITB – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Patrick Cantlay – WITB – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Ludvig Aberg – WITB – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Collin Morikawa – WITB – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Sam Burns – WITB – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Stephen Jaeger – WITB – 2024 RBC Heritage
Pullout Albums
- Wyndham Clark’s Odyssey putter – 2024 RBC Heritage
- JT’s new Cameron putter – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Justin Thomas testing new Titleist 2 wood – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Cameron putters – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Odyssey putter with triple track alignment aid – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Scotty Cameron The Blk Box putting alignment aid/training aid – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Cameron putter – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Odyssey Ai One Eleven T putters – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Christian Bezuidenhout – testing new Callaway Ti 340 mini driver – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Rory McIlroy testing the new TaylorMade BRNR Mini Driver Copper – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Xander Schauffele testing the Callaway Ti 340 mini driver & the DUW – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Byeong Hun An, two new L.A.B. Golf putter builds with “T” alignment – 2024 RBC Heritage
See what GolfWRXers are saying and join the discussion in the forums.
- LIKE10
- LEGIT0
- WOW0
- LOL2
- IDHT0
- FLOP1
- OB0
- SHANK0
-
19th Hole2 weeks ago
Justin Thomas on the equipment choice of Scottie Scheffler that he thinks is ‘weird’
-
19th Hole2 weeks ago
‘Absolutely crazy’ – Major champ lays into Patrick Cantlay over his decision on final hole of RBC Heritage
-
19th Hole3 weeks ago
Two star names reportedly blanked Jon Rahm all week at the Masters
-
19th Hole3 weeks ago
Report: LIV Golf identifies latest star name they hope to sign to breakaway tour
-
19th Hole3 weeks ago
Neal Shipley presser ends in awkward fashion after reporter claims Tiger handed him note on 8th fairway
-
19th Hole2 weeks ago
Brandel Chamblee has ‘no doubt’ who started the McIlroy/LIV rumor and why
-
19th Hole1 week ago
LET pro gives detailed financial breakdown of first week on tour…and the net result may shock you
-
Equipment3 weeks ago
Jason Day on his recent switch into Srixon ZX5 and ZX7 Mk II irons