News
Hey Jude – The PGA Tour Rolls Into Memphis
Graceland and Beale Street (ok, maybe not Beale Street) may have to play second fiddle this week in Memphis as the star attraction, for a few days at least, is the arrival of the PGA Tour.
The Tour returns to the familiar feel of TPC designs in the form of the TPC Southwind for the St. Jude Classic presented by Smith & Nephew. Brian Gay will defend one of the two titles his won in 2009 over the Ron Pritchard design. On his way to victory he surged well ahead of the second place finishers, two-time St. Jude winner David Toms and Georgia Tech product Bryce Molder, on his way to a 5-stroke winning margin.
Not always spoke of in glowing terms prior to a massive renovation in 2004 TPC Southwind has blossomed into a much getter property that most players now enjoy. At just over 7200 yards and playing to a par of 70 it is a mid-level layout in terms scoring toughness on the PGA Tour and has given up two 61’s in the past. As long as the wind stays down, the pros can go low in the warm June Memphis air where the ball seems to have a little extra jump.
Under a new sponsor, and with the U.S. Open on the horizon, new life has been injected into this year and that carries through to the field as well.
World #4 Lee Westwood will play St. Jude for the first time and will surely be in the spotlight as he tries to shape his game for a charge at the second major championship of the season.
Just as visible will be his overseas counterpart, Rory McIlroy, who looks to win his 2nd PGA Tour event and prove that his impressive roll to a win at Quail Hollow was just the start to his success in America.
Padraig Harrington also returns to the American tour, to an event where he finished 4th in 2008.
The player with the most momentum will be Zach Johnson who won just two weeks ago at Colonial and should find Southwind to be a good fit for his very accurate game.
And lastly, not to be ignored as far as a possible storyline, 16 year-old Jordan Spieth will try and replicate his success at the HP Byron Nelson Championship here in Tennessee. The number 1 ranked junior in America will be looking to build on that tie for 16th is posted in such impressive fashion.
While more than a million dollars is in line for the eventual winner the pros also have an extra incentive this week, the top two finishers not already exempt will earn a spot in the British Open Championship.
Scores should be low again this week and although I hesitate to pin down just who might be hoisting the trophy on Sunday you should not look far from any of the top Europeans taking part. Westwood, McIlroy, Harrington, or even Retief Goosen should all be in the mix if their U.S. Open preparation is on-track.
This report provided to GolfWRX.com by Flagstick Golf Magazine (www.flagstick.com)
- LIKE0
- LEGIT0
- WOW0
- LOL0
- IDHT0
- FLOP0
- OB0
- SHANK0
News
Morning 9: 58 on the Korn Ferry Tour | Rory on possible return to policy board
|
- LIKE0
- LEGIT0
- WOW0
- LOL1
- 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
- LIKE6
- LEGIT3
- WOW1
- LOL0
- IDHT0
- FLOP0
- OB0
- SHANK1
News
Morning 9: Tiger’s TGL teammates | Woosnam’s criticism of Cantlay | Rory’s return to tour policy board
|
- LIKE4
- LEGIT0
- WOW1
- LOL1
- IDHT0
- FLOP1
- OB1
- SHANK3
-
19th Hole3 weeks ago
Dave Portnoy places monstrous outright bet for the 2024 Masters
-
19th Hole7 days ago
Justin Thomas on the equipment choice of Scottie Scheffler that he thinks is ‘weird’
-
19th Hole3 weeks ago
Tiger Woods arrives at 2024 Masters equipped with a putter that may surprise you
-
19th Hole6 days ago
‘Absolutely crazy’ – Major champ lays into Patrick Cantlay over his decision on final hole of RBC Heritage
-
19th Hole2 weeks ago
Two star names reportedly blanked Jon Rahm all week at the Masters
-
19th Hole2 weeks ago
Report: LIV Golf identifies latest star name they hope to sign to breakaway tour
-
19th Hole2 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