Tour News
5 Things We Learned from Day 1 at the U.S. Open
Another Northeastern U.S. Open in June, another rain delay. Whether it’s Bethpage or Oakmont, the USGA can’t catch a break on events played in the original 13 colonies in June. Today’s delay was massive, with only nine golfers finishing play. However, we did learn a few things from Day 1 of the 2016 U.S. Open
It takes a lot of work to make a U.S. Open happen
If you thought that the clubs that host major championships have a system in place and simply flip a switch, think again. Things happen all over the course at dawn’s early light that boggle the mind. From properly turning mowers that shave closer than your razor, to spray-painting holes to give them that extra shine and shimmer, greenskeepers and superintendents from around the region work in harmony to ensure that Oakmont is ready for the world’s best.
Scottie Scheffler is the happiest guy in Pennsylvania
The University of Texas stalwart made three birdies against two bogies, and is the clubhouse leader at 1-under par. As one of those nine golfers with a signed scorecard, Scheffler earned the right to watch the NBA Finals tonight, sleep in late on Friday, and organize his second day better than most. With his sister on the bag (and playing hooky from an internship, no less), Sheffler’s comfort level was palpable and he scrambled (missing one-third of his greens) like a veteran. Playing in his first U.S. Open, the 2013 U.S. Junior champion avoided the big number that snagged his fellow competitors. With so much time to ponder his first-round achievement, might Scheffler have too much time to contemplate what he faces? History says, “Yes.”
Contestants need to make changes on the fly
Imagine planning the run-up shot during your three practice rounds, then waking up Thursday to find softer, wetter greens that not only hold an approach, but allow you to spin it like a regular Tour event. That was Oakmont on Day 1, as Jordan Spieth and a host of others discovered. Shots that were bounced in with wedges from Monday through Wednesday reacted differently on Thursday. On the 17th, Spieth’s approach landed beyond the hole, but sucked back below the hole…and then off the green, into a fronting bunker. Soft Oakmont greens are still lightning-quick, setting up an apparent contradiction to further befuddle the game’s best exponents.
Andrew Landry won’t win, but one of these guys might
Andrew Landry (the guy on the cover image of this story) was the Day 1 story, standing 5-under at one point before bogies on Nos. 7 and 8 (his 16th and 17th of the day) dropped him to 3-under before the final rain delay. No one expects the former University of Arkansas golfer and one-time Web.com champion to hang around through Sunday evening. Hot on his heels is a handful of golfers with experience to contend. At 2-under are Bubba Watson (4 holes to play) and Danny Lee (5 hole left.) At 1-under is long-suffering Lee Westwood, often a contender but never a major champion. At even par are three of the hottest, young golfers in the professional game: Daniel Berger, Matthew Fitzpatrick and Shane Lowry. When the rest of the field finally gets on course on Friday, though, the plot line should change again.
If they’re not careful, these guys will be down the road
Sure, it’s early. Sure, they have holes left to play (and birdie) in their first round. However, Rory McIlroy, Rickie Fowler, Luke Donald, Bern Wiesberger, Paul Casey and Danny Willett currently sit at 38th spot or worse. Unless they make a move pronto, they could be watching from the den on Sunday. So many good golfers (Jason Day, Adam Scott, Justin Rose, Charl Schwartzel, and the list runs long) have yet to tee off that it seems silly to think that numbers that high will be around for the weekend.
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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
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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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Ronald Montesano
Jun 17, 2016 at 6:19 pm
To my Facebook comment-writers up top~
JoshBecky White~Not sure if I’m writing to Josh or to Becky (or White), but I’ll assume all three, or two, of you-My criticism is relevant to you, since you took time to write to me. Again, I’m not criticizing Andrew Landry as a golfer. That’s the part that should be quite clear. At no point in the article did I say anything negative about his round, his golf swing, his personality. Also, let’s say I did follow him and did know him…would that make my criticism relevant?
Justin Ball~Thinking the same thing about Ricardo. I think that loss to Matsuyama took the wind out of his sails this year. If he had won in reg or playoff at Phoenix, he would have had two big, early-season wins and would have been riding high, coming in to Augusta. That driver over the green revealed that A) he is a poor decision-maker or B) he doesn’t have go-to shots under pressure. I think he needs to go minus-two tomorrow in round two to make the cut. If he can go minus-five, he plays himself into contention.
Mark
Jun 17, 2016 at 12:55 am
*Makes cover photo of Landry*
*Writes paragraph to bash him*
lol you WRX writers are too much.
Ronald Montesano
Jun 17, 2016 at 6:00 am
Thanks for your input, Mark. From my perspective, it’s not a bash. I haven’t called him names, questioned his skill set, or insulted his pet. The USGA tells us that only one guy will win the tournament and history and statistics say it won’t be a guy like Andrew Landry. For that matter, it may not even be a guy like Jason Day.
However, if Andrew Landry does pull through as champion USA golfer of 2016, you can bet that I will lead on Sunday evening with a reference back to my wretched skill as prognosticator.
Thank you very much for reading. We hope that you continue to read and to comment.
RM
El
Jun 17, 2016 at 9:05 am
The same thing was said about Francis Ouimet when he beat Harry Vardon and Ted Ray for the US Open.
Ronald Montesano
Jun 17, 2016 at 6:14 pm
Which same thing?
I love a Ouimet story, but I also know that Landry, if he’s fortunate and good, might best hope for a Mike Donald story.
Milo
Jun 16, 2016 at 9:59 pm
I’m rooting for him!!!!
golfman
Jun 16, 2016 at 9:43 pm
Agreed, such a pathetic lack of respect to the player.
Poor Form golfwrx.
Hope he wins.
Ronald Montesano
Jun 16, 2016 at 10:17 pm
Assume you mean Landry. I consider it a lack of faith in the ability of an untested golfer to stay on form. One of his birdies, from about 40 feet away, slammed into the flagstick and dropped; otherwise, it would have gone 25 feet past and he would have made bogey.
If he remains on form and challenges, it will certainly make a great story for all to read.
RM
El
Jun 17, 2016 at 9:07 am
According to the people on the Golf Channel, Landry is one of the best iron players on tour, not the longest off the tee but deadly with a short iron in his hands.
Ronald Montesano
Jun 17, 2016 at 6:12 pm
El,
Here is his bio: http://www.pgatour.com/players/player.33410.html
There are great iron players on tour, and there are great iron players under pressure on tour, and there are great iron players under pressure in a major while playing with Dustin Johnson at Oakmont on Saturday in the final grouping. I hope that Landry is the later; I suspect he isn’t just yet.