Tour News
5 Things We Learned from Day 1 of the 2016 Ryder Cup
Revisionist historians may one day attempt to situate Chaska, Minnesota, in the canon of monumental U.S. battles. They won’t succeed. Much like Pelayo’s vision of the Virgin Mary in northern Spain, encouraging him to reconquer Spain in the name of Christianity, Patrick Reed, Dustin Johnson or some other teammate will reveal that a visit from Arnold Palmer propelled them to victory on the morning of day one of this year’s Ryder Cup matches.
The 2016 playing, known as The Proof Is In The Task Force in some circles, got off to an unexpected alpha with a 4-0 sweep by Team USA in the morning foursomes. That’s right, the alternate shot event at which the Americans have traditionally, well, stunk, was their mother lode. Inexplicably, but not unexpectedly, the home squad then limped home to a 5-3 lead after the first two rounds of partner matches, thanks to an abysmal afternoon performance.
The difference was…we’re not telling. Not yet. Perhaps because we’re not sure of the reason. You have to read our five things we learned to learn the secret.
Team Europe Is Mentally Strong
"He's finding his range now!"#TeamEurope https://t.co/d3Gvh62dNs
— Ryder Cup Europe (@RyderCupEurope) September 30, 2016
Eight guys go out on Friday morning and lose four matches, and Europe doesn’t flinch. Back they come in the afternoon, in a format that favors neither team, and they throw their American counterparts a whupping.
Get Up Early And Stay There
When the student becomes the master…#RyderCup pic.twitter.com/Qh3rzfzb9H
— Golf Channel (@GolfChannel) September 30, 2016
It seems obvious, but it is never worth overlooking. In the a.m. rounds, 2 of 4 winning sides had secured leads that they would not relinquish by the 8th hole. In the afternoon, it was 4 for 4. Team USA failed to win more than one hole in two of four, second-round matches, while the European squadron captured a single hole in three of the four, first-round tilts. By far, the most entertaining match of the day was the foursomes battle between Rickie Fowler-Phil Mickelson and Rory McIlroy-Andy Sullivan. The Americans twice won three consecutive holes, while the Euros captured five holes on their own. When 11 of 18 holes are exchanged, that’s great golf and great television!
Major Champions In Every Pairing
We've all been here before. https://t.co/VIGWgCULNs
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) September 30, 2016
Despite being considered an underdog by many (they only won 8 of the past 10 Ryder Cup matches, after all), the Europeans have a pretty strong side. Each pairing in the afternoon rebound was powered by a major champion, or a world-class player who should be a major champion. U.S. Open, British Open, Olympic, Masters, and PGA all belong to the likes of Kaymer, Rose, Stenson, Willett, McIlroy. Most would confess that Sergio Garcia is too good to have not won a major, and he and his Iberian partner, Rafa Cabrera-Bello, formed yet another, indomitable Spanish pairing. This is not to say that the hometown opposition isn’t up to the Euro standard, just that the underdogs may be neither so under nor doggy as previously thought, club flips notwithstanding.
When a 5-3 lead is not a 5-3 lead
Did someone say comeback?#TeamEurope pic.twitter.com/HvN4quQQhL
— Ryder Cup Europe (@RyderCupEurope) September 30, 2016
If pundits had asked Captain Love III on Thursday evening if he would accept a 5-3 lead after Round 1, he might have nodded. If they had told him that his squad would be up 4-0 after the morning contests, and would crawl away 1-3 in the afternoon, he might not. Momentum was on the USA side at lunchtime, but the colonials could not persist, and the old world battled back to bring the tally nearly to square. If Team Euro finds its foursomes form on Saturday morn, the home squad could find itself in a customary, undesirable place…losing.
Make Every Putt On Every Green
Sneds stretches the lead to 4 #RyderCup #GoUSA https://t.co/4yksmIxqeg
— Ryder Cup USA (@RyderCupUSA) September 30, 2016
Hard to believe that you must, but the outcome of each of the eight matches on day one was decided on the putting surfaces. It was an extremely rare sight to see when four golfers walked away from a flag stick with no blood drawn. Putts were made by every featured actor, from every conceivable distance, to win and halve holes. They even chipped in from time to time, to add to the drama. These guys are good should be enhanced with the addition of putters or on the greens, or something to that effect.
I don’t know about you, but I’ll be watching every second of coverage this weekend to see how this all unfolds.
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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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Mark
Oct 2, 2016 at 9:59 am
I do not care much for the Ryder Cup because of the fan behavior. Imagine when they take it to Bethpage Black in 2024. The PGA of America will prove to be negligent for that decision.
Craig
Oct 1, 2016 at 5:54 pm
Greatly saddened watching the Ryder Cup this morning. I am not American or European, but watching USA fans yelling while Stenson was over his ball, loudly erupting in applause when McIroy puts his ball in water? Booing when a European drains a putt? I mean really, this is golf and meant to better. I am sure there are ton of Americans greatly embarrassed by this crude and base level of human nature on display, I can only hope I am correct in assuming that these galloots actually know nothing about the game. hashtagnoclass.
Dale Doback
Oct 1, 2016 at 11:13 pm
You are correct in assuming Americans are embarrassed by the poor behavior of a few of the fans at the Ryder Cup, I am definitely one of them. I am not rooting for the Europeans to miss shots but rather have the USA team hit better shots although I do breath a sigh of relief when the Euros do miss because they definitely have momentum and Rory seems unstoppable. I wish I could thank the European players and USA players for putting on the best show in golf. It was exciting to watch.
JThunder
Oct 1, 2016 at 11:43 pm
Americans are NOT embarrassed by this behavior. We are proud of it. We are Donald Trump’s America. We “say what’s on our mind”, loudly, no matter how inappropriate or offensive (or wrong or meaningless) it is. We celebrate stupidity and ridicule class and intelligence. We thrive on conflict, aggression, war and spreading hate. We believe manners are for communists. We believe kindness and consideration are for little girls – and we believe girls are inferior to boys. We strive to make decisions for those little girls anyway. We are America – hear us roar and love us. If you don’t, expect a wall or occupation coming your way soon!
(Unfortunately, we are not alone. See the ugliness of Brexit to know that egocentricity is not an American monopoly, despite our best attempts and dismantling of ALL our anti-monopoly laws!)
Rwj
Oct 1, 2016 at 6:29 am
6: it’s in the numbers. Golf channels numbers show that the number of commercials shown far outweighed the number of actual golf shots shown.
Christosterone
Sep 30, 2016 at 9:05 pm
I quite enjoyed this article…
+1
Internet Grammar Man
Sep 30, 2016 at 7:37 pm
mother “lode”, not load. OK, carry on.
OEM
Oct 1, 2016 at 2:16 am
Oh mine is a definite from my friend the One Eyed Monster
Ronald Montesano
Oct 1, 2016 at 10:24 am
Thanks, IGM…drives me crazy when I make a mistake in haste. Thanks for catching it.
RM