Tour News
Five things we learned on Day 1 of The 2017 Masters
As Thursday woke, we knew that the Fates had conspired to eliminate the favorite from the field. Even though Dustin Johnson had yet to officially withdraw from the 2017 Masters, where he should have been (the Par-3 contest) and where he was (tumbling down a staircase) could only have been arranged by the unpredictable. We did learn at least five things on Day 1 of the tournament.
1. Augusta National showed its teeth on Thursday
Sometimes the southern belle steals strokes all at once, as she did with Jordan Spieth’s nine at the par-five 15th. At other times, the pace is agonizingly slow, as Thomas Pieters learned over the entire back nine. No one, from the competitors to the patrons to the announcers, knows who will suffer her wrath, but it will certainly come.
In Spieth’s case, that he only hit one ball in the water is the incredible thing. The 2015 champion did the unforgivable, leaving a wedge third on the lower portion of the green and spinning. Back into the pond it went. With his fifth, the Texan assured himself of being long enough, but he went too long and was fortunate to not visit the H2O again with his sixth shot from over the green. Three putts later, Spieth had climbed from even par to 4-over par, and was facing a sizable mountain on his way to a second Green Jacket.
As for Pieters, he and first-round leader Charley Hoffman could have combined for a mighty low ringer score. The Belgian Ryder Cup star was out in 4-under, and got to 5-under with a birdie on the 10th hole. As though a wind had extinguished a candle, Pieters proceeded to make two doubles and three bogeys (with only one birdie, on the par-3 16th hole) over his final eight holes, to drop to even par on the day.
2. Despite the conditions, there were opportunities
Hoffman knows this, as does Lee Westwood. Hoffman began the day 1-over par through five holes, then ran the table on the next 13, making eight birdies to earn the Day 1 crystal with an unexpected 65. Westwood continues his search for the elusive major title, and while he has experienced success at Augusta National before, he must not have expected the five consecutive birdies that brought him from 3-over par to 2-under on the inward half. Realistically, Westwood’s 2-under 70 is the number that golfers are watching. Hoffman most likely won’t advance this lead, and may back up toward the pack before the weekend. The same can be said for William McGirt, who currently occupies second spot at 3-under.
Related: Charley Hoffman WITB 2017
Watch @WilliamMcGirt's first round in under three minutes. #themasters pic.twitter.com/gPOuSwPDle
— Masters Tournament (@TheMasters) April 6, 2017
3. The veterans know how to spell patience
Matt Kuchar began the day with three consecutive bogeys. The Georgia resident, having enjoyed a fond friendship with Augusta National since his low-amateur days, knew that nothing was etched in stone at that juncture. Bit by bit, he chipped away at his deficit. After nine consecutive pars, Kuchar made the first of three birdies that would ultimately bring him back to even on the day, precisely within striking distance of the lead.
Sergio Garcia, in search of a first major of his own, made precisely one birdie on the day. Such a tally would not usually leave anyone smiling, but Sergio was. Seventeen pars went along with that birdie, and the Spaniard found himself inside the top five, with yet another chance at either a Green Jacket or heartbreak. But that’s why they play!
4. The tournament is in good hands
Despite the unexpected misfortune that befell Dustin Johnson, and the anticipated withdrawal of Tiger Woods last week, a healthy dose of marquee players lies close to the lead. Major champions Phil Mickelson, Justin Rose and Jason Dufner are at 1-under, while Ernie Els and Rory McIlroy find themselves at even par. The ageless Fred Couples is only 1-over, and others wishing to join the major-championship club lie in wait. If you want to keep your eyes on one golfer, consider Paul Casey. Even par on the day, the Englishman was one of the hottest players on the PGA Tour during the second half of 2016. Given his past flirtations with the top spot at Augusta, perhaps this more-mature Casey might have what it takes to add to his wardrobe on Sunday afternoon.
Watch @Paul_Casey chip in for birdie from behind No. 14 green. #themasters pic.twitter.com/NWF9n9SNIG
— Masters Tournament (@TheMasters) April 6, 2017
5. Anything but wind
The breezes died down partway through the day, and the golfers rejoiced. On Thursday, it was the morning wave that suffered the effects of the zephyrs that passed through the corridors of Augusta National (look at the flags above the scoreboard in the video below). Putts were pushed sideways, or a few feet beyond their intended range. Tee shots moved toward trees with abandon, and wedge shots hit far too short on putting surfaces, spinning back into bunkers and other hazards. Unlike an Open Championship course, where the ground game can replace the aerial one, Augusta National is a high-flight course, and few opportunities arise to cheat the wind. If the winds reverse course on Friday and wait until the afternoon to blow, one half of the field will likely be eliminated, unfortunate victims of the vagaries of Mother Nature.
Enjoy more highlights from the play so far in the first round of #themasters. pic.twitter.com/n6SouTskAv
— Masters Tournament (@TheMasters) April 6, 2017
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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
Apr 8, 2017 at 7:46 am
Watch the internet feeds if you can. Eliminates a lot of the chatter you disdain.
joro
Apr 7, 2017 at 10:05 am
Way to go Charlie, now keep it going. Then come back and wear the Jacket to Hodads.
Ser
Apr 7, 2017 at 3:51 am
The weather got to some and showed its teeth, but the course didn’t. Neither affected Charlie Hoffman, so this is a big SHANK! for this article.
TR1PTIK
Apr 7, 2017 at 1:59 pm
So you don’t think the design of the course had any part to play? Yes, wind might be the determining factor, but the fact that players can’t bump and run their way onto every green is another consideration (one which the article clearly pointed out).
Ronald Montesano
Apr 8, 2017 at 7:47 am
The edges of these ANGC greens are deadly. They seduce the ball off, like a siren call to sailors.
Fat Perez
Apr 7, 2017 at 3:38 am
That Speef, I know it’s Spieth, kid got demons on this course. 9?!!! Yikes!
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