Tour News
Tour Rundown: Poulter earns spot in The Masters after an unbelievably clutch putt
This week in professional golf is brought to you by Chip, the motivational emotion encouraged by past slights that rests on an athletes shoulder. Only three winners emerged from the professional tours this week, but they were memorable for diverse reasons. The LPGA opened a season of major championships in California, the PGA tour hosted its final event in the run-up to the Masters, and the Web.Com tour was in Georgia for a professional debut that may stand the test of time. All 3 winners have us stoked to tell you more about their exploits, so step aside as we cruise into Tour Rundown mode.
And the first major of the year goes to…
When you have a 3-participant playoff that extends into day 2, usually little is remembered from the BP (before playoff) era. When you have an 8-hole playoff, won by a first-time champion on tour, you have a great story. When that winner holds off a 7-time champion and LPGA hall of fame member, you best not wreck the story. And with that lead-in, say hello to your newest LPGA tour and major champion, Pernilla Lindberg of Sweden.
How Lindberg held off Inbee and Jennifer
Pernilla Lindberg attended Oklahoma State and came out on tour in 2009, after graduating in International Business. Nearly 9 years later, the ebullient Swede found herself in position to win not just one tournament, but a major title at that. After opening with 65-67, Lindberg fought her swing the next two days, but managed to drain a birdie putt on the final green to reach the magic playoff number of 15-under par. Suffice it to say that 8 holes in, Lindberg drained a 20-feet putt to seize the day and send home the exhilarated gallery in the happiest of ways.
How Inbee and Jennifer (et al.) gave ANA their all
Both Park and Song closed with rounds of 67 to push Lindberg deeper than she wanted. Song bowed out on the 3rd playoff hole with par, while Park managed to go 8 holes in, before losing to Lindberg’s second birdie in extra time. Right on their heels were Ariya Juntanugarn and Jessica Korda, who managed 65 and 66, respectively, on Sunday. Simply put, this was a major for the ages, and all of the runners-up and also-rans added to the lore.
Worth another look! @pernillagolf drains this birdie putt to win @ANAinspiration.
There's nothing left but that famous splash – coming up @GolfChannel pic.twitter.com/Itie6AZvHM
— LPGA (@LPGA) April 2, 2018
Poulter gets Masters invitation, after all
Never one to be shy with his feelings, Ian Poulter was speechless a week ago. Why? Turns out he received some misinformation after his semi-final loss in the WGC Match Play, about a certain invitation to a certain spring party. Nope, Ian, sorry. You actually didn’t qualify. Poulter took to Twitter (as he sometimes does, making himself look … human) to vent his frustration. He then went to work in Houston, won the Open, and absolutely stole the final invitation to the 2018 Masters tournament.
How Ian Poulter showed us the way
No matter your feelings on his Ryder Cup performances for team Europe, his ability to stay in the spotlight despite not winning anywhere since 2012, or his brash demeanor, respect is due to Ian James Poulter. The Englishman converted a 20-feet putt for birdie at the last, probably around the time that former UTexas golfer Beau Hossler began to feel that the title was his. In a very succinct playoff, Poulter stayed dry while Hossler went for a dip. The former made par while the latter posted triple, and the event was decided.
Related: Ian Poulter’s Winning WITB
How Hossler nearly played his way to Augusta
Hossler has always been a cosmic talent, qualifying for a US Open before he finished high school. Barring injury, his first tour victory should come in the next two months. In essence, he did everything necessary to win in Houston, posting consecutive birdies from holes 12 to 15, to reach 19-under par. After Poulter’s final-hole histrionics, Hossler acquitted himself admirably in the playoff, until his third shot. After a drive in the fairway bunker, his approach cleared the fronting water, but found more sand. It was the greenside bunker shot that did the young pro in, sailing beyond the putting surface and into lake despair. Still, with the runner-up finish, Hossler improved 56 spots, inside the top 30 of the FedEx Cup chase.
The best shots from @IanJamesPoulter's victorious final round @HouOpen.
Roll it. ???? pic.twitter.com/f69GYFkSOM
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) April 2, 2018
Sam Burns shrugs off Walker Cup slight, wins first Web event at Savannah Golf Championship
Every decade or so, the USGA Walker Cup selection committee makes one of those head-scratching decisions. In the 1990s, it left Brandt Snedeker off the team. In the 2000s (all right, 2011, but give us some wiggle room), John Peterson was denied an earned spot on the squad. In 2017, the same fate befell Sam Burns, the college player of the year. The process always remains a mystery, but in the case of Sam Burns, the slight might already be forgotten. Burns won his 1st important professional title this week in Savannah, finishing at 21-under to win by one.
How Burns grabbed the steering wheel
Sam Burns began the week with a benign round of 72. He reeled off 3 consecutive 65s to not only make the cut, but nab the victory on is 72nd hole. After that opening, 3-bogey, 3-birdie effort, the victor made 21 birdies, and eagle and 2 bogeys the rest of the way. After 9 holes on Sunday, Burns stood 1-under on the day, off the pace set by Scott Langley. Something at the turn fired up the LSU alum, as Burns came home in 30 strokes, with 6 birdies against 3 pars. He played his final 3 holes in minus-3, edging Roberto Castro by one.
How the chasers came up short
Roberto Castro was in the top 25 on the PGA Tour a few years back, but has been unable to recapture that form. His slow improvement on this year’s Web.Com tour escalated dramatically in Savannah. Castro closed with the day’s low round, a 64 that also featured a closing birdie. These days on the Web, if you don’t finish with something in the mid-60s, you go home empty handed. The win moved Castro well up the ladder, in the chase for a return trip to the PGA tour. Scott Langley led for much of the day, but was unable to preserve his brilliant, opening-nine form to the end. His 67 brought him a tie with Justin Hueber for 34d place.
54-hole leader @Samburns66 begins his final round with his one stroke lead after Saturday intact at -14 @webtoursavannah. pic.twitter.com/hM2LlaIsG4
— Web.com Tour (@WebDotComTour) April 1, 2018
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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
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
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
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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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