News

Tour Rundown: Molinari runs away with it; playoff decides Women’s PGA

Published

8 years ago

Jul 2, 2018

The end of June brought heartbreak for a few golfers. Leads were given away in the final swings at more than one event. In one instance, the end was immediate. In others, the loss was delayed a bit, but still gut-wrenching. This is competitive golf, played under the searing sun of summer, a sun that always burns hottest when the stakes are highest. It’s best to remember that, as we welcome the cauldron of important events, held each July and August. For this week, we’ve five events to feature in our Tour Rundown.

PGA TOUR: Molinari scampers off with Quicken Loans

Francesco Molinari makes certain of things these days. He has a rotten playoff record (0-3) on the European Tour, where he also has 5 victories. Last month’s European PGA was followed by his 1st stateside win, at the TPC at Avenel Farms. On Sunday, Molinari found himself paired with Mexico’s Abraham Ancer, a former Web.Com Tour darling. Ancer posted 62 on Saturday, but needed something similar to separate from Molinari and the field. The pro from Mexico struggled to 72 in round 4, but stood near to Molinari’s magnificent, 4th round 62. The 6 birdie, 1 eagle performance included a run of 6-under through five holes at the back nine’s opening.

I had predicted on Twitter that Tiger Woods would shoot 61 on Sunday and win his first event of 2018. I wasn’t far off, despite being far off. Woods did shoot 66 and move into a 4th-place tie with Ancer. Problem was, only Molinari shot 62 and no one could catch him. His 8-shot victory was the tour’s widest winning margin of this campaign, and certainly pencils him in as a candidate for both a major title this summer, and a spot on the European Ryder Cup team in the fall. Bravo, Francesco!

The first Italian to win in 71 years. ???????? ????@F_Molinari had 6 birdies, 1 eagle and 0 bogeys on Sunday.#LiveUnderPar pic.twitter.com/KvEQXvpBeW

— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) July 2, 2018

LPGA TOUR: 2-hole, 3-way playoff decides Women’s PGA

Ryu So-yeon made double bogey on Sunday’s 2nd hole. The Korean golfer, twice a major champion in her young career, shook off the misstep with four birdies against a single bogey over the next 14 holes. With a 2-shot advantage coming to the par-3 17th hole, the Colonel again reared her devious head, and a 2nd double brought the leader back to the field. Unable to birdie the 18th, Ryu went into a playoff with Park Sung-hyun, another young Korean of immeasurable talent, and Japan’s Nasa Hataoka, author of five birdies and two eagles in her Sunday 64.

As a proper introduction to Independence Day in the USA, fireworks ensued in Illinois. Both Korean golfers birdied the 18th hole, eliminating Hataoka. Play moved to the 16th hole, where each remaining competitor reached the green in regulation. With impending birdie putts, bad weather moved in and forced a delay. When play resumed, Ryu missed her effort, but Park was unerring. Her second overtime birdie brought her a fourth LPGA Tour win and second major in as many seasons. In 2017, Park debuted with a marvelous performance at the US Open. She leaves Kemper Lakes golf club as owner of the two most coveted titles in the USA.

In case you missed the thrilling two-hole playoff at the @KPMGWomensPGA see how things unfolded right here: pic.twitter.com/V3bpLTa9Kz

— LPGA (@LPGA) July 2, 2018

CHAMPIONS TOUR: USGA Senior Open a battle of survival

Not nearly as traumatic as the Ryu collapse, Jerry Kelly’s finish at The Broadmoor in Colorado was slower and more painful. The affable Wisconsinite held a two-shot advantage as the race turned down the home stretch. Miguel Angel Jimenez had lost his momentum, and no one else offered the guise of worthwhile challenger. Kelly made the tournament a tournament by challenging himself, with back-to-back bogeys at 11 and 12. Unable to summon a birdie on the road in, he watched as David Toms dropped a birdie at 16, moving to -3, alone at the top. Kelly finished tied for runner-up with Jimenez and Tim Petrovic at -2. Paired with the magnificent Spaniard on Sunday, Kelly watched helplessly as his putts failed to fall, and the Iberian sank 2 birdies of his own on the closing holes. As for Petrovic, he also birdied the final hole on Sunday, for his best-ever finish in a senior major championship.

What a day at @TheBroadmoor, culminating in a dramatic finish and a great champion. Highlights from the final round of the 2018 #USSeniorOpen. pic.twitter.com/KLtnwMV3Ee

— USGA (@USGA) July 2, 2018

EUROPEAN TOUR: French Open to Noren, unexpectedly

Remember the name Julian Suri. The USA-born product of Duke University may go down in professional golf history as a one-off winner. If that is the case, he will remember Sunday as the day his train derailed. Suri stood proudly at the 15th tee, owner of a three-shot lead on the field. Bogey there dropped him to a 2-shot margin. Closing quickly was Sweden’s Alex Noren. The certain Ryder Cup member for Europe birdied 16 and 17 to teach -7, one back of Suri as the American reached the final tee. He hooked his tee ball left, then dunked his approach in Lake Le Nacional, sinking his victory hopes with the little white orb. Suri finished in a 2nd-place tie with Scotland’s Russell Knox and England’s Chris Wood, one behind the two-time champion at Le Golf Nacional, site of this fall’s Ryder Cup matches.

In other, odd news, only Justin Thomas (t8) of the USA saw fit to play the course in competition. Are the Yanks overconfident? Are they over-scheduled? Do they see the French course as too similar to their own, and not worthy of a trial run? Don’t be surprised if Thomas is the USA’s shining light come September, and if the Red, White and Blue is unable to follow its 2016 triumph with a needed win on European soil.

Relive Alex Noren's winning round in three minutes#HNAOpenDeFrance #RolexSeries pic.twitter.com/jhaGBJCsS1

— The European Tour (@EuropeanTour) July 1, 2018

WEB.COM TOUR: Lincoln Land Championship ablaze in birdies

When, if ever, did a golfer need to finish -20 to secure a spot IN THE TOP 10? It happened this weekend in the land of Lincoln, on the Web.Com tour. 19-under got you a tie for 11th and a decent check, but wow! Anders Albertson strung 66-66-64-63 together for -25 and a two-shot margin of victory over Adam Long and Kramer Hickok. Long had 63 of his own on day four, but pars at the last five holes must have felt like bogeys on a day when everyone went low. Hickok had the lead on Saturday evening, and didn’t play poorly on Sunday. His first dozen holes featured 1 birdie against all pars, as race car after race car sped past. Awakening at the next, he birdied four consecutive holes to move within a stroke of the leader. Needing more magic over the final 2 fairways, Hickok bogeyed the 17th to drop away from the chase. As the Web.Com Tour moves into my backyard this week at the LECOM Health Challenge, I hope that the supply of birdies has not been exhausted. We’re due for some 4th of July fireworks at the Peek’N Peak Resort.

"I'm better than I thought." ????

With rounds of 66-66-64-63, @AndersAlbertson was better than the rest @LincolnLandGolf. pic.twitter.com/BlKRDeS23S

— Web.com Tour (@WebDotComTour) July 2, 2018

Tour Photo Galleries

Photos from the 2026 U.S. Women’s Open

Published

7 hours ago

Jun 3, 2026

GolfWRX Staff

GolfWRX Tour Photographer made the trip from the Memorial Tournament across the country to the U.S. Women’s Open at Riviera. Check out links to all the photos below!

General Albums

WITB Albums

Pullout Albums

Tour Photo Galleries

Photos from the 2026 Memorial Tournament

Published

2 days ago

Jun 1, 2026

GolfWRX Staff

GolfWRX is on site this week at the Memorial Tournament, with both Alistair Cameron and Tour Photographer Greg Moore on the ground in Dublin, Ohio, where a strong field is assembled to pay homage to the Golden Bear.

In addition to WITB galleries, we’ve already been treated to an in-hand look at Tommy Fleetwood’s new TaylorMade Spider putters.

Check out links to all our photos below.

General Albums

WITB Albums

Pullout Albums

News

Tour Tech Rundown: Heroic Henley

Published

3 days ago

Jun 1, 2026

Ronald Montesano

Around the world, the golf wheel spun this final week in May of 2026. From New Jersey to Austria, with stops in Korea, Texas, and North Carolina (don’t let me route your next trip) the world’s finest put their golf games on display. There were three playoffs, some known commodities and some new talent. It was the sort of week that we hope to have at this point in the seasons. June and July afford double-digit major events, and perhaps, one of this week’s champions will use this success as a springboard to new heights. Time to run it all down, tech style, in this week’s Tour Tech Rundown.

Thanks to WITBHub, Today’s Golfer, GolfWRX, and Inside Tour Golf for initial research into equipment.

PGA Tour @ Charles Schwab Challenge: Heroic Henley denies Cole

Eric Cole did nearly everything that a fellow can do, to secure a first PGA Tour title. He stayed one shot clear of Ryder Cup player Ben Griffin. He kept US Open champion Gary Woodland and wunderkind Michael Brennan two shots distant. He posted 70 on day four to reach twelve under par. And then, Russell Henley revealed his Dr. Strange cloak. Henley made 47 feet of birdie putts on holes 16, 17, and 18, to jump from minus-nine to twelve-deep, and secured a spot in a playoff with Cole. The duo returned to the final tee, and put on a stripe show.

Both golfers found the fairway off the tee, and Henley improved on his regulation play with an approach to four feet. Cole did himself proud, tucking an iron to a dozen feet, but he was unable to convert the putt for three. Henley is one of the best putters on tour, and he proved it once more by draining a putt for a fourth consecutive birdie, and a sixth PGA Tour title. For Eric Cole, that first victory should come, and soon. He has done everything necessary to earn the chalice lift.

Henley’s Suitcase

Driver: Titleist TSi3 at 10 degrees. Shaft: Project X HZRDUS Smoke Black 70g 6.5 TX
Metal: Titleist TS3 at 16.5 degrees. Shaft: Project X HZRDUS Smoke Black 80 TX
Hybrid: Titleist TSi2 at 21 degrees. Shaft: Mitsubishi MMT hybrid 100 TX
Iron: Titleist T250 4-iron. Shaft: True Temper Dynamic Golf AMT Tour White X100
Irons: Titleist T100 5-6 irons. Shaft: True Temper Dynamic Golf AMT Tour White X100
Irons: Titleist T100 7-9 irons. Shaft: True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue X100
Wedges: Titleist Vokey Design SM11 at 48 and 50 degrees. Shaft: True Temper Dynamic Golf Tour Issue X100
Wedges: Titleist Vokey Design SM11 at 54 and 60 degrees. Shaft: rue Temper Dynamic Golf Tour Issue S400
Putter: Titleist Scotty Cameron T5 Tour Prototype

LPGA @ Shoprite LPGA: Welcome back, Celine!

Soo Bin Joo had her eyes on a maiden LPGA title. She held the lead after two rounds, then hit a red light at the intersection of can-I and how-To. Joo posted plus-two on day three in New Jersey, and dropped to a T4 finish, which was still a career-best for the young Korean golfer. Instead of a new face, a familiar face returned to the top of the podium.

Celine Boutier was the It Girl in 2023. She collected four victories, including a major title at Evian. Boutier reached world number one status, then simply faded into the background. No wins came her way over the next 30 months. On Sunday, she collected LPGA victory number seven, at the same trace as LPGA victory number two.

Day three saw Boutier manage the windswept Seaview Bay course with six birdies and a bogey. She was challenged in the end by Thailand’s Arpichaya Yubol, who signed for a 66 of her own. Yubol came up one shot shy of the top ladder rung. Finishing in third place at -7, two back of the winner, was Ireland’s Lauren Walsh.

Celine’s Suitcase

Driver: PXG 0311 Black Ops Tour-1 at 9 degrees. Shaft: Graphite Design AD IZ-5
Hybrid: PXG 0311 Black Ops at 19 and 22 degrees. Shaft: KBS Hybrid Prototype
Hybrid: PXG 0311 Gen5.
Iron: PXG 0311 P Gen 4 5-9 irons
Wedge: PXG 0311 T Gen 4 PW
Wedges: PXG 0311 Sugar Daddy II at 50, 54, 58 degrees
Putter: Bettinardi Studio Stock 3 DASS

DP World Tour @ Austrian Alpine: KK? KK!

Kota Kaneko has a rhythmic name. It has strong vowels and a run of voiceless stops in its crunchy K sounds. On Sunday in Austria, Kaneko put a stop to a challenge from Portugal’s Ricardo Gouveia and everyone else, and claimed a first-ever title on the DP World Tour. Gouveia did well to reach 16-under par over four days, but Kaneko held firm, two shots in the clear.

Davis Bryant of the USA also forged a strong challenge for the win. He ended in a tie with Gouveia for second place. Kaneko began and finished his final round in a bit of a malaise, but he caught fire midway through. Birdies at 10, 12, and 13 provided the necessary cushion to cruise to the finish line without breaking a serious sweat.

Kaneko’s Suitcase

Driver: Ping Max G440
Metals: TaylorMade Qi4D at 15, 16.5, 21, and 24 degrees
Irons: TaylorMade P760 5 and 6 irons
Irons: TaylorMade P7TW 7-9 irons
Wedges: Titleist Vokey Design at 46, 52, 56, and 60 degrees
Putter: Odyssey Ai-One Cruiser Arm Lock #7

Korn Ferry Tour @ UNC Health Championship: Improbably Alvaro

Alvaro Ortiz may have had a bit of scare on the outward nine on Sunday, but he came through in clutch fashion in the end. Ortiz began the day bogey-double, and added another double bogey at the 11th hole. He was mired in a downward trend, spiraling away from the top of the leader’s board. Ortiz found hope at the 14th, where his first birdie of the day tumbled home. Inspired, he closed with birdies and 17 and 18 to catch Ross Steelman at 10-under par, and the duo returned to the 18th deck for overtime.

The extra session concluded in brief time. Ortiz, buoyed by his newly-retrieved confidence, hit the fairway with driver, then approached to six feet and drained the putt. Gobsmacked, Steelman could do little more than smile and applaud, as his run at the top came to a close. The victory was the first for Ortiz on the KFT, and will implant him squarely in the chase for a PGA Tour promotion.

Alvaro’s Suitcase

Driver: Ping G430 MAX driver at 9 degrees loft
Metal: Ping G430 MAX 3W
Iron: Ping iDi Driving Iron
Irons: Ping Blueprint S irons
Wedges
Putter: Scottsdale TR Piper C

A party on the green!

Alvaro’s time comes in Raleigh with his first win @UNCHealthChamp ? pic.twitter.com/2dmtZdbSzk

— Korn Ferry Tour (@KornFerryTour) May 31, 2026

LIV @ Korea: Me llamo Joaquin

Chile’s Joaquin Niemann had been away from the LIV winner’s circle throughout all of 2026. This week in Korea, he reminded us that he is still a force to consider. Niemann chased down Taylor Gooch over the closing holes at Asiad Country Club, then claimed victory with a hole-one birdie in extra time. Bryson DeChambeau claimed solo third, one shot in arrears at minus-eleven. Dustin Johnson finished on fourth, one putt farther back.

Niemann’s Suitcase