Tour News
Tiger’s return, Fowler flirts with 59, and more from the Hero World Challenge
He came, he saw, he purred, he roared. The 41-year-old Tiger Woods returned to competitive golf to much fanfare in the Bahamas. He justified and sated, thrilled and fulfilled. Oh, and 17 other fellows showed up to compete in the Hero World Challenge. It all added up an excellent, last week of top-shelf competition for 2017. Before this year gives way to 2018, let’s have a look at some of the week’s high points.
Tiger Totals
Round One: 5 birdies and 2 bogeys
Round Two: 1 eagle, 4 birdies and 2 bogeys
Round Three: 2 birdies and 5 bogeys
Round Four: 1 eagle, 6 birdies, 2 bogeys and 1 double
For any fan of golf, these numbers are uplifting. El tigre averaged 4.5 birds and 0.5 eagles per round. With more tournament reps, those numbers can only go up, and the bogeys (2.5 per round) can drop as he gets re-acclimated to competition. For those who point to his weak finish on Sunday, remember that the guy knows a thing or two about closing a tournament.
Tiger for eagle … ????#QuickHits pic.twitter.com/FvZlLTh3jV
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) December 3, 2017
Dick Fowler, PI, caught up to that 28 he’d been chasing
Don’t remember those Farmer’s Insurance commercials starring Rickie Fowler? Search ’em and laugh out loud. Oh, Fowler shot 28 on Sunday’s outward half, with birdies on every hole but No. 8. So much for Charley Hoffman’s healthy third-round lead. Everyone wants to lead and no one wants to lead. We’ve waited years for Fowler to dominate in the way that we think he can. The front nine called to say, help.
Here's every birdie from @RickieFowler's front nine.
WARNING: There's 8 of them. pic.twitter.com/aaD6SOhJ9q
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) December 3, 2017
A week of revelations from Tiger
One of the perquisites of a newish Tiger, one who is grateful for much of life, is an expanded openness about the travails of the past year. On Tuesday, Tiger discussed the pain from a back that was worse than he imagined, and the impact on his life that it had. The toll included very little sleep, constant pain, and weakness from foot to lower back. On Thursday, after his opening 69, the 14-time major champion discussed the impact of adrenaline on his game, and the difference between the holes he played at home and the ones he played at Albany. The most refreshing comments came after his Saturday 75, when he discussed the minor mistakes that led to bogeys, and what he missed most about tournament golf: the fight.
.@TigerWoods top 5? shots of the week from the Bahamas.
5. ????
4. ????
3. 2-iron ????
2. Drive the green ??????
1. ???? pic.twitter.com/OQdT1bPiuR— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) December 4, 2017
Oh, and Rickie Fowler did win!
Almost lost amid the Tiger tracks was the performance that Rickie Fowler offered on Day 4. Following a pattern of 2017 champions who rode on, smoking-hot round to victory, Fowler saved his best for last. Eleven birdies and 0 bogeys led to 61 and an 18-under total. Fowler actually had a chance to shoot 59 by holing his second at the last, and despite taking dead aim at the flagstick, he pushed it a bit, and went on to make a tidy par. His tournament total was Fowler’s career low in competition, and sent him into the off-season in the best of possible moods. Third-round leader Charley Hoffman matched birdies and bogeys on the front nine, then made 9 straight pars on the inward side to finish second alone at 14-under. Tommy Fleetwood, the European Tour’s Race To Dubai champion, and Jordan Spieth tied for the third spot at 12-under.
WHAT. A. DAY.@RickieFowler beats the world's best to win the Hero World Challenge. pic.twitter.com/iemJ7vIEIc
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) December 3, 2017
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GolfWRXers got a late-in-the-year treat this week with our photos from the RSM Classic in Sea Island, Georgia.
First looks at a new Cobra driver, a new Ping driver, and new Ping wedges filled the forums, as well as new Bettinardi and Mizuno putters.
Also featured: A Toulon Golf x Sea Island collab.
Add to this a handful of WITBs — including Courage Award winner Chris Kirk — and it was a good week in the Peach State.
Check out links to all of our photos below.
General Albums
- 2023 RSM Classic – Monday #1
- 2023 RSM Classic – Monday #2
- 2023 RSM Classic – Tuesday #1
- 2023 RSM Classic – Tuesday #2
- 2023 RSM Classic – Tuesday #3
WITB Albums
- Jacob Tilton – GA PGA Section Champ – WITB – 2023 RSM Classic
- Josh Teater – WITB 2023 RSM Classic
- Grayson Murray – WITB – 2023 RSM Classic
- Chris Kirk – WITB – 2023 RSM Classic
- Ben Kohles – WITB – 2023 RSM Classic
- Ben Carr – WITB – 2023 RSM Classic
- CT Pan – WITB – 2023 RSM Classic
- David Ford – WITB – 2023 RSM Classic
- Cameron Champ – WITB – 2023 RSM Classic
Pullout Albums
- Ping S159 wedges – 2023 RSM Classic
- Ping G430 Max 10K driver – 2023 RSM Classic
- New Toulon Seaside putter – 2023 RSM Classic
- SeeMore putters – 2023 RSM Classic
- Cameron putters – 2023 RSM Classic
- New Bettinardi putters – 2023 RSM Classic
- Custom Swag putter & cover – 2023 RSM Classic
- Two Thumb prototype grip – 2023 RSM Classic
- Cobra Dark Speed driver – 2023 RSM Classic
- New Ping S159 wedges – #2
- Justin Lower & Eric Cole testing new PXG Black Ops drivers – 2023 RSM Classic
- Version #2 graphite shaft putter adapter – 2023 RSM Classic
- New Mizuno putters – 2023 RSM Classic
- Harris English’s raw Ping S159 wedges – 2023 RSM Classic
Join the discussion and see what members are saying in the GolfWRX forums.
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GolfWRX headed to Jackson, Mississippi, for the Sanderson Farms Championship this week where victorious Ryder Cupper Ludvig Aberg leads a field battling for a $8.2 million purse.
We have seven general galleries from the Country Club of Jackson as well as 10 WITBs, including a look at Kevin Kisner’s setup.
In our pullout galleries, there’s an abundance of custom Camerons and an in-hand look at Ludvig Aberg’s gamer.
Check out links to all our photos below and join the discussion in the GolfWRX forums when you’re done.
General Albums
- 2023 Sanderson Farms – Monday #1
- 2023 Sanderson Farms – Monday #2
- 2023 Sanderson Farms – Monday #3
- 2023 Sanderson Farms – Tuesday #1
- 2023 Sanderson Farms – Tuesday #2
- 2023 Sanderson Farms – Tuesday #3
- 2023 Sanderson Farms – Tuesday #4
WITB Albums
- Brent Grant – WITB – – 2023 Sanderson Farms
- Matti Schmid – WITB – 2023 Sanderson Farms
- Paul Haley – WITB – 2023 Sanderson Farms
- Will McGirt – WITB – – 2023 Sanderson Farms
- Sung Kang WITB – 2023 Sanderson Farms
- Ben Taylor – WITB – – 2023 Sanderson Farms
- Ford Clegg – WITB – 2023 Sanderson Farms
- Kevin Kisner – WITB – 2023 Sanderson Farms
- Callum Tarren – WITB – 2023 Sanderson Farms
- Hayden Buckley – WITB – 2023 Sanderson Farms
Pullout Albums
- New Toulon Design Montecito putter – 2023 Sanderson Farms
- Augusto Nunez – custom Cameron putter – 2023 Sanderson Farms
- New adapter for putters with graphite shaft – 2023 Sanderson Farms
- Seung Yul Noh – custom Cameron – 2023 Sanderson Farms
- Odyssey Triple Track Jailbird – 2023 Sanderson Farms
- Cameron putters – 2023 Sanderson Farms
- Richie Werenski’s custom Cameron – 2023 Sanderson Farms
- Justin Lower’s custom Cameron putter – 2023 Sanderson Farms
- Kevin Tway’s custom Cameron – 2023 Sanderson Farms
- Ludvig Aberg’s new Odyssey White Hot Versa One putter – 2023 Sanderson Farms Championship
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GolfWRX checked out the action on the Korn Ferry Tour this week at the Nationwide Children’s Hospital Championship at The Ohio State University’s Scarlet Course in Upper Arlington, Ohio.
We have plenty of WITBs this week from the collegiate golf home of Jack Nicklaus, including looks at the gear of Camilo Villegas and Daniel Summerhays.
Check out links to all our photos below.
General Albums
WITB Albums
- Kevin Dougherty – WITB – 2023 Nationwide Children’s Championship
- Cody Blick – WITB – 2023 Nationwide Children’s Championship
- Wilson Furr – WITB – 2023 Nationwide Children’s Championship
- Brian Campbell – WITB – 2023 Nationwide Children’s Championship
- Cristobal del Solar – WITB – 2023 Nationwide Children’s Championship
- Chris Petefish – WITB – 2023 Nationwide Children’s Championship
- Camilo Villegas – WITB – 2023 Nationwide Children’s Championship
- Jared Wolfe – WITB – 2023 Nationwide Children’s Championship
- Trace Crowe – WITB – 2023 Nationwide Children’s Championship
- Nick Lindheim – WITB – 2023 Nationwide Children’s Championship
- Chandler Phillips – WITB – 2023 Nationwide Children’s Championship
- Daniel Summerhays – WITB – 2023 Nationwide Children’s Championship
- Kevin Velo – WITB – 2023 Nationwide Children’s Championship
- Bo Hoag – WITB – 2023 Nationwide Children’s Championship
- Sam Saunders – WITB – 2023 Nationwide Children’s Championship
See what GolfWRXers are saying and join the discussion in the forums.
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Report: Rory McIlroy planning to leave Florida as he eyes permanent move away from U.S.
The reason behind Azinger’s NBC exit as his replacement for Hero World Challenge is revealed
Pro becomes first new addition to LIV Golf for 2024
Here’s why Vijay Singh has red numbers written all over his irons
Phil Mickelson doesn’t hold back in response to leaked PGA Tour memo offering members equity ownership opportunity
Brooks Koepka aims multiple jabs at LIV Golf on social media
Gary Player leaves fans stunned with 7-word putdown of the Augusta National Women’s Amateur
Pat Perez among 5 pros out of contract and in danger of losing LIV Golf status
Viktor Hovland gives typically wholesome answer when asked how he’s spent his $34.5m yearly earnings
Spotted: New TaylorMade Carbonwood driver hits USGA conforming list
Scottie Scheffler’s winning WITB: 2023 Hero World Challenge
Driver: TaylorMade Stealth 2 Plus (8 degrees) Buy here. Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Black 7 X 3-wood: TaylorMade Qi10 (15 degrees)...
Tony Finau WITB 2023 (December)
Tony Finau’s what’s in the bag accurate as of the Hero World Challenge. Driver: Ping G430 LST (9 degrees @7)...
Jordan Spieth WITB 2023 (December)
Jordan Spieth’s what’s in the bag accurate as of the Hero World Challenge. Driver: Titleist TSR2 (10 degrees @9.25) Buy...
Justin Thomas WITB 2023 (November)
Justin Thomas’ what’s in the bag accurate as of the Hero World Challenge. Driver: Titleist TSR3 (10 degrees @ 9.25)...
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19th Hole3 weeks agoReport: Rory McIlroy planning to leave Florida as he eyes permanent move away from U.S.
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19th Hole2 weeks agoThe reason behind Azinger’s NBC exit as his replacement for Hero World Challenge is revealed
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19th Hole3 weeks agoPhil Mickelson doesn’t hold back in response to leaked PGA Tour memo offering members equity ownership opportunity
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19th Hole2 weeks agoBrooks Koepka aims multiple jabs at LIV Golf on social media
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19th Hole3 weeks agoViktor Hovland gives typically wholesome answer when asked how he’s spent his $34.5m yearly earnings
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19th Hole3 weeks agoTiger’s ex-girlfriend Erica Herman drops lawsuit and NDA appeal against golfer
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19th Hole2 weeks agoTiger spotted testing new driver ahead of confirmed Hero World Challenge comeback
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19th Hole2 weeks agoPhil Mickelson slams ‘pathetic human’ Alan Shipnuck over journalist’s shock claim involving Jon Rahm
Tom54
Dec 4, 2017 at 1:32 pm
I think most golf fans are anxious to see how Tiger does to see if he can play a normal schedule again, but can someone please tell The programming directors that we do not need to make every telecast about Tiger. There are many players that shots were not shown this past weekend. Ricky Fowler is extremely popular and Friday or Saturday I recall very few of his shots. It was non-stop Tiger until his round was finished. Then after his hi light reel and his interview was over then it was time to show the leaders. Please, if Tiger is in the hunt he deserves the coverage but let’s not forget there are tons of pros who rate the tv time as well. The game will always be bigger than any one player.
T0MD1KH@RRy
Dec 5, 2017 at 12:15 am
You must have been watching a different program because I saw plenty of other golfers on the telecast. Even so, why wouldn’t there be more focus on Tiger at Tiger’s tournament, during Tiger’s first competitive round in nearly a year, and during which he displayed signs of greatness that only give way to hope that he’s not yet done playing (or winning)? Tiger is the needle, you hear it from the broadcast booth, you hear it from the players, and it’s proven by the ratings and number of spectators at events in which he plays. I agree the game is bigger than any one player, but we aren’t talking about the game of golf as a whole. We’re talking about the PGA Tour, advertiser dollars, and ticket sales. If Tiger played an exhibition round in which he was the only player on the course, he’d still pack them in better than a handful of regular tour stops and garner more viewers on TV as well.
Thomas A
Dec 5, 2017 at 10:16 am
Tiger’s first tournament at Tiger’s tournament and one that doesn’t count for anything. Yeah, it’s gonna be Tiger’s show no matter what.
nyguy
Dec 6, 2017 at 2:32 pm
I agree. Love Tiger, think he’s great for golf, and awesome to watch, but he’s not the only one out there. I’m surprised we didn’t know when he went to the bathroom on the course…. It’s a little over the top, although I think that with most mainstream broadcasts