Tour News
Tour Mash: Dustin Johnson (finally) wins at Riviera, moves to No. 1 in OWGR
Australia stole a fair amount of the professional-golf spotlight this week. Royal Adelaide hosted the ISPS Handa Australian Women’s Open, while the men did battle in a unique and exciting format that brought excitement back to match play.
In the Western Hemisphere, there was play in Columbia, Panama, California (where a new World No. 1 emerged) and a fourth tournament in Florida. Lots of golf to mash, so let’s spin those beaters.
PGA Tour: Genesis Open to DJ… finally
Thanks to the rains, Riviera played unlike its fast and firm self. Thanks to the rains, players took dead aim at flags, unless they had mud on their golf balls. And thanks to the rains, the reigning U.S. Open champion (and formerly snake-bitten-at-Riviera guy) put on a clinic over four days. Dustin Johnson marched to his first 2016-17 PGA Tour title in convincing form and moved into the top spot on the Official World Golf Rankings for the first time in his career.
Those California rains conspired to create a throwback final day when the leaders weren’t paired together and at times were on opposite sides of the golf course. “Leaders” is generous, as the competition all day was for second-place money. So superior was Dustin Johnson that he held an eight-stroke lead throughout most of the final round. He let his guard down late with bogeys at Nos. 15 and 16, but he still managed to win at last at Hogan’s Alley by five strokes over European Ryder Cupper Thomas Pieters (63) and Scott Brown (67).
Related: See what clubs Johnson used to win
Rather than begin play late on Saturday, Johnson and many others in the field were required to play 36 holes on Sunday. The seven-birdie, zero-bogey 64 the winner posted in the morning served notice to the field that first place was far out of reach.
European Tour: Aussies deliver outside-the-box event at World Super 6 Perth
Clutch.
The two shots that just won Brett Rumford the #WS6Perth pic.twitter.com/YZvRI5NfyS
— The European Tour (@EuropeanTour) February 19, 2017
In the early part of this decade, the Surf Coast Knockout should have marked the dawn of a new and exciting form of professional golf. Unfortunately, the event lost its Australian Tour sponsor and passed into history. This week, the World Super 6 Perth invoked that memory and delivered exciting medal and match play in one event.
Utilizing the hybrid style seen only at the Western Amateur, the tournament field was reduced to 65 golfers after round two of medal, then to 24 for match play, knockout style. The top-eight qualifiers received a bye into Round 2, and it was on to six holes of match play to resolve each confrontation.
In the end, the tournament medalist proved to be the top match-play competitor. Aussie Brett Rumford won the medal by five strokes at 17-under. In the head-to-head portion of the event, he dispatched four opponents including the unlikely Phachara Khongwatmai of Thailand in the final. Fingers crossed that this event has legs and continues on well into the future.
LPGA Tour: Sound of the Jang Gang at ISPS Handa Australian Women’s Open
Su Oh wanted desperately to win her country’s Open Championship, while Lizette Salas hoped to affirm her status as a U.S. Solheim Cup player with a victory of her own. Matched in the final twosome, both golfers struggled under the weight of history. Meanwhile, three groups earlier, Ha Na Jang of Korea drew inspiration from her partner, defending champion Haru Nomura of Japan.
Quiet for the majority of the final day, Jang saved her magic for the final six holes at Royal Adelaide. Three birdies and an eagle sailed her past all challengers to 10-under. With a late birdie, Denmark’s Nanna Madsen edged past World No. 2 Ariya Jutanugarn and Aussie Minjee Lee for solo second at 7-under. With Salas’ misfortune, low American honors went to Beth Allen and Marina Alex, both tied for seventh at 5-under.
Champions Tour: Couples passes on Riviera, wins in Naples
With Jimenez in the hazard, Couples takes a conservative approach.
If he gets home in 3 (or fewer) shots, he'll win the @ChubbClassic. pic.twitter.com/ea5ngtHyQC
— PGA TOUR Champions (@ChampionsTour) February 19, 2017
If Fred Couples opts out of Riviera on the PGA Tour, a pendulum has shifted. Instead of teeing it up at one of his favorite haunts, Mr. Casual headed east to Naples, Florida, for the Chubb Classic. The move was an efficient one, as Couples nabbed his first PGA Tour Champions title of 2017.
Over three rounds, Couples had three bogeys and two eagles along with a bushel of birdies. He trailed 36-hole leader Miguel-Angel Jimenez by one, but he jumped ahead as the Spaniard sputtered and coughed through the front nine. Perennial contender Bernhard Langer entered the fray with a run of birdies on the outward half, but stalled throughout the majority of the inward side. His challenge came to an inglorious end with a triple-bogey eight on the home hole.
For the historians, Couples closed with 67 for 16-under and a three-shot margin over Jimenez. Another two strokes back was the third-place trio of Jeff Sluman, Rod Spittle, and PGA Tour Champions debutante Jerry Kelly.
Web.com Tour: Panama Claro Championship goes to Putnam in extra holes
With the fireworks and unexpected drama across the golfing world, the Panama Claro Championship might appear scripted. The two golfers who began the day Nos. 1 and 2 on the leaderboard finished up that way, but they had to go to a playoff to do so.
Andrew Putnam and Chris Baker had scores of 68 and 66, respectively, on Sunday. With the two extra birdies, Baker was able to track down the overnight leader and force a playoff. With both players on the first extra hole in regulation, Baker putted from long distance and missed his birdie effort. From below the hole at green’s edge, Putnam hit the bull’s eye from 20 feet, ending the overtime session with his second Web.com Tour win and first of the new season.
Mexico’s Abraham Ancer came into the event with a chance to secure a home-country spot in the upcoming World Golf Championship Mexico event. Needing a win, Ancer came close finishing 9-under, four shots back and in solo fourth.
PGA Tour Latinoamérica: Jose de Jesus Rodríguez wins in Colombia
Thirty represents a transition for all of us. José de Jesús Rodríguez uses it to answer, “How did you separate from the field on Sunday?” The Mexican professional went five low on the inward half, capped off by a 17th-hole eagle to claim the first event on the 2017 PGA Tour Latinoamérica schedule.
Brian Richey of the U.S. held the Round 3 lead, but three birdies (especially when matched by three bogies) weren’t enough to retain the top spot. He finished tied for fourth, five behind the champion. Nicolás Echavarría of Colombia took over the lead through 12 holes, thanks to a 5-under start. The young professional bogeyed Nos. 13-15, but then birdied Nos. 16 and 17 to finish two back of the winner. Third place went to Germany’s Max Rottluff at 11-under on the strength of a Sunday 64.
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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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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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Ronald Montesano
Feb 24, 2017 at 10:48 am
Tom,
Solid.
Tom
Feb 20, 2017 at 11:05 am
Now he can afford to marry Paulina