Tour News
Top 5 in Golf: Hahn edges DJ, Ko wins in Australia
PGA Tour: Hahn Takes Title At Riviera
James Hahn was unable to dance across the 14th green as his first PGA Tour title came into view. Despite holing a 25-foot putt to eliminate Dustin Johnson on the third hole of a playoff, Hahn more closely resembled the last man standing than the conqueror of Hogan’s Alley.
Golfer after golfer came to the 18th green at Riviera with designs on hoisting the championship trophy, but none were able to claim the title in regulation.
Hideki Matsuyama birdied the last, but missed the playoff by one stroke. Keegan Bradley eagled No. 17, but also came up one slim shot shy of the overtime threesome. Jordan Spieth played the final hole with too much enthusiasm, making bogey to join Matsuyama and Bradley on the ship of tears. Retief Goosen, still chasing the devils that first appeared in the 2005 U.S. Open, failed to exorcise them yet again. The South African had the lead, then played the four-hole stretch from Nos. 13-16 in 5-over par to tumble head over tea kettle into a tie for 7th.
Despite fighting his swing down the stretch, Sergio Garcia seemed poised to leave Riviera as the victor with a one-shot lead and a par 5 to play. An unorthodox bogey on No. 17, however, and another on No. 18, meant the end for the Spaniard who missed the playoff by one stroke.
So Paul Casey, James Hahn and Dustin Johnson took to a three-man playoff.
After Casey’s par could not equal the birdies of Johnson and Hahn on the second playoff hole, the diabolical No. 10 at Riviera, the playoff was reduced to two. Johnson seized the momentum on the third hole by throwing a dart to 12 feet. Moments later, the momentum was gone when Hahn’s birdie putt went in and Johnson’s didn’t.
Hahn, the 291st-ranked golfer in the world, captured his first PGA Tour victory and gained entry to the Doral World Golf Championship and The Masters. It was a dream come true for the 33-year-old, who at one point sold shoes at Nordstrom to make ends meet.
Next Shot: Honda Classic (Feb. 26-March 1)
European Tours: India Secures Homeland HERO Champion In Playoff
Anirban Lahiri began each round of the HERO Indian Open birdie-birdie. When a playoff for the championship began on, you guessed it, hole No. 1, S.S.P. Chowrasia might have felt a bit nervous.
Two weeks removed from his first professional victory at the Maybank Malaysian Open, Lahiri was on the kind of roll professional golfers dream of. He had birdied one-third of his holes at New Delhi and didn’t disappoint in the playoff. Chowrasia could only ponder what might have been as Lahiri knocked down his 25th birdie of the week to win the title.
Through 52 holes of the event, Chowrasia appeared to be a viable candidate for the title. He had made zero bogeys and posted 13 birdies of his own. The floodgates seemed to open late Saturday afternoon and Chowrasia stumbled home on Sunday to a 76.
Next Shot: Joburg Open (Feb. 26-March 1)
Ladies European/LPGA Tours: Ko victorious at Royal Melbourne
Lydia Ko did what winners do at the Australian Open. She muddled through a round on a world-class course, fended off her challengers and emerged victorious after the sands of Royal Melbourne had settled. Ariya Jutanagarn did what teenagers are supposed to do. She let shots slide from her grasp and dropped from a first-place tie entering the final round, into third place. Amy Yang seized the opportunity on Sunday to jump up to second.
Playing in a national Open on one of the most challenging courses in the world, Ko never broke 70 (there were just five recorded rounds in the 60s all week), but she never let her game slip. When she made a mistake, like attempting a flop shot when a bump-and-run chip was mandated, she acknowledged the mental miscue and soldiered on.
There was a bit of the spectacular, such as her hole-out eagle on No. 3. There was also a pinch of the dramatic, when Ko had to save a bogey with a 10-foot putt after the foozled flop shot. In the end, there was the 17-year old, the world No. 1, alone at the top.
Next Shots: Ladies European Tour — New Zealand Open (Feb. 27-March 1), LPGA — Honda Thailand (Feb. 26-March 1)
Ryder Cup Captains: Fact And Rumor
Darren Clarke was named captain of the European side for the 2016 Ryder Cup matches. The decision came down to Clarke and Miguel Angel Jimenez, with 2014 captain Paul McGinley reportedly casting the deciding vote. Some sort of understanding between Clarke and McGinley was reached, allowing McGinley to reconcile a vote in favor of the 2011 British Open champion and five-time Team Europe member.
Don’t shed any tears for Jimenez, though. Chances are excellent that the Spaniard will Flamenco his way onto the squad next year, then receive the nod as captain in 2018.
On the U.S. side, an impending announcement by the PGA of America on February 24th has been derailed by the incessant rumor mill. What might turn out to have been the worst-kept secret of the month is the identity of the next U.S. captain.
Davis Love III was reportedly selected to reprise the role he held in 2012. We’ll know soon enough and hopefully, we won’t care. Instead, we’ll let the players decide which of the two captains will be revered as a tremendous motivator and which will be cast away from history as a well-intentioned but failed coach.
Michael’s Links (and Tom Doak?)
Rumor No. 2 of the week is His Airness, otherwise known as Michael Jordan, having designs on a club of his own. Talk about #richpeopleproblems.
Whispers suggest that Jordan is over his membership at The Bear’s Club and wants to build a club of his own just up the street in Jupiter, Fla. The as-yet unverified Those In The Know suggest that the six-time NBA champion has confidential interest in Tom Doak as his preferred course architect.
Doak’s star continues to rise in an era of dwindling new-builds. His work at Bandon Dunes, Streamsong and Dismal River in the U.S., overseas in Australia, France and China, makes him a logical choice for any dream-song that MJ might attempt to sing.
Just Missed The Cut
Michelle Wie on Hawaii-Five-O camera
Although the Oscars grabbed the attention of those who love the silver screen, Michelle Wie made a debut of her own last week on the small screen. The 2014 U.S. Open champion played herself on Hawaii-Five-O. Wie would have preferred to play a villain, but we’ll let you see for yourself just how the young champion was cast.
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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.
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Tour Photo Galleries
Photos from the 2024 Valero Texas Open
GolfWRX is on site this week at the Valero Texas Open.
The event has been around since 1922, making it one of the oldest on the PGA Tour calendar. Over the years, it’s been held at a variety of courses across the Lone Star State, but it’s found its home at TPC San Antonio in recent years. Some of the biggest names in golf have taken home the title here, including Arnold Palmer, Ben Hogan, Lee Trevino, and Ben Crenshaw.
GolfWRX has its usual assortment of general galleries, WITBs and special pull-out albums. As always, we’ll continue to update the links below as more photos come in from TPC San Antonio.
General Albums
WITB Albums
- Ben Taylor – WITB – 2024 Valero Texas Open
- Paul Barjon – WITB – 2024 Valero Texas Open
- Joe Sullivan – WITB – 2024 Valero Texas Open
- Wilson Furr – WITB – 2024 Valero Texas Open
- Ben Willman – SoTex PGA Section Champ – WITB – 2024 Valero Texas Open
- Jimmy Stanger – WITB – 2024 Valero Texas Open
- Rickie Fowler – WITB – 2024 Valero Texas Open
- Harrison Endycott – WITB – 2024 Valero Texas Open
- Vince Whaley – WITB – 2024 Valero Texas Open
- Kevin Chappell – WITB – 2024 Valero Texas Open
- Christian Bezuidenhout – WITB (mini) – 2024 Valero Texas Open
- Scott Gutschewski – WITB – 2024 Valero Texas Open
Pullout Albums
- Cameron putter – 2024 Valero Texas Open
- Ben Taylor with new Titleist TRS 2 wood – 2024 Valero Texas Open
- Swag cover – 2024 Valero Texas Open
- Greyson Sigg’s custom Cameron putter – 2024 Valero Texas Open
- Davis Riley’s custom Cameron putter – 2024 Valero Texas Open
- Josh Teater’s custom Cameron putter – 2024 Valero Texas Open
- Hzrdus T1100 is back – – 2024 Valero Texas Open
- Mark Hubbard testing ported Titleist irons – 2024 Valero Texas Open
- Tyson Alexander testing new Titleist TRS 2 wood – 2024 Valero Texas Open
- Hideki Matsuyama’s custom Cameron putter – 2024 Valero Texas Open
- Cobra putters – 2024 Valero Texas Open
See what GolfWRXers are saying in the forums.
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Tour Photo Galleries
Photos from the 2024 Texas Children’s Houston Open
GolfWRX is on site in the Lone Star State this week for the Texas Children’s Houston Open.
General galleries from the putting green and range, WITBs — including Thorbjorn Olesen and Zac Blair — and several pull-out albums await.
As always, we’ll continue to update as more photos flow in. Check out links to all our photos from Houston below.
General Albums
- 2024 Texas Children’s Houston Open – Monday #1
- 2024 Texas Children’s Houston Open – Monday #2
- 2024 Texas Children’s Houston Open – Tuesday #1
- 2024 Texas Children’s Houston Open – Tuesday #2
- 2024 Texas Children’s Houston Open – Tuesday #3
WITB Albums
- Thorbjorn Olesen – WITB – 2024 Texas Children’s Houston Open
- Ben Silverman – WITB – 2024 Texas Children’s Houston Open
- Jesse Droemer – SoTX PGA Section POY – WITB – 2024 Texas Children’s Houston Open
- David Lipsky – WITB – 2024 Texas Children’s Houston Open
- Martin Trainer – WITB – 2024 Texas Children’s Houston Open
- Zac Blair – WITB – 2024 Texas Children’s Houston Open
- Jacob Bridgeman – WITB – 2024 Texas Children’s Houston Open
- Trace Crowe – WITB – 2024 Texas Children’s Houston Open
- Daniel Berger – WITB(very mini) – 2024 Texas Children’s Houston Open
- Chesson Hadley – WITB – 2024 Texas Children’s Houston Open
- Callum McNeill – WITB – 2024 Texas Children’s Houston Open
- Rhein Gibson – WITB – 2024 Texas Children’s Houston Open
- Patrick Fishburn – WITB – 2024 Texas Children’s Houston Open
- Peter Malnati – WITB – 2024 Texas Children’s Houston Open
- Raul Pereda – WITB – 2024 Texas Children’s Houston Open
- Gary Woodland WITB (New driver, iron shafts) – 2024 Texas Children’s Houston Open
- Padraig Harrington WITB – 2024 Texas Children’s Houston Open
Pullout Albums
- Tom Hoge’s custom Cameron – 2024 Texas Children’s Houston Open
- Cameron putter – 2024 Texas Children’s Houston Open
- Piretti putters – 2024 Texas Children’s Houston Open
- Ping putter – 2024 Texas Children’s Houston Open
- Kevin Dougherty’s custom Cameron putter – 2024 Texas Children’s Houston Open
- Bettinardi putter – 2024 Texas Children’s Houston Open
- Cameron putter – 2024 Texas Children’s Houston Open
- Erik Barnes testing an all-black Axis1 putter – 2024 Texas Children’s Houston Open
- Tony Finau’s new driver shaft – 2024 Texas Children’s Houston Open
See what GolfWRXers are saying in the forums.
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mar
Feb 25, 2015 at 3:31 pm
hi
Ronald Montesano
Feb 25, 2015 at 4:02 pm
hi
Booger
Feb 24, 2015 at 10:01 am
Thanks for reporting real news and not another stupid tiger article.
Ronald Montesano
Feb 24, 2015 at 10:56 am
Booger,
All the real news that’s fit to print. I might miss some stuff from time to time, so don’t hesitate to tell me what should have been ranked in the top five.
RM
Bunty
Feb 24, 2015 at 7:57 am
Good to see some courses played on over the weekend that didn’t just turn into a putting competition.
Love that royal Melbourne track. Quintessential australian sand belt course
Ronald Montesano
Feb 24, 2015 at 10:55 am
Bunty,
I’m with you. Too many ponds and fluffy bunkers in golf today. True strategic course, where the ground and air games are balanced. Keep writing, friend!
RM
Rich
Feb 24, 2015 at 7:02 pm
+1
Rich
Feb 23, 2015 at 3:35 pm
Oh dear Michelle. I guess with a script like that, you did the best you could. Even the professional actors were in struggle town. Good to see Golfwrx reporting on the other tours. Cheers
Ronald Montesano
Feb 23, 2015 at 4:29 pm
Rich,
As posted, Michelle wanted to play a villain, but you have to walk before you run (or roller blade.) Come back and comment often.
RM