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 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
- Phil Mickelson – WITB – 2024 PGA Championship
- Matt Dobyns – WITB – 2024 PGA Championship
- Lucas Herbert – WITB – 2024 PGA Championship
- Jason Dufner – WITB – 2024 PGA Championship
- John Daly – WITB – 2024 PGA Championship
- Taylor Gooch – WITB – 2024 PGA Championship
- Dean Burmester – WITB – 2024 PGA Championship
- Joaquin Niemann – WITB – 2024 PGA Championship
- Dustin Johnson – 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
- Super Stroke grip – 2024 PGA Championship
- Tiger Woods – 2024 PGA Championship
- Michael Block’s new TaylorMade “Proto” 7-iron, from address – 2024 PGA Championship
- Odyssey putter covers – 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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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.