News
Sony Open in Hawaii: 5 things we learned
This month, the PGA Tour’s Houston Open announced that Memorial Park, in the heart of the city, would be re-envisioned as the new home of its annual stop in the Space City. Tom Doak will oversee the renovation, and it wasn’t long before pundits and fans joined voices in uncertainty. Would the course be long enough for the PGA Tour? Let’s put that baby to bed, after we congratulate Matt Kuchar on his 2nd win of the season, and first of 2019.
1. Shorter and Strategic will always have a place on tour
Courses like Waialae (restored by Doak and team) and Harbor Town offer less-than-long hitters an opportunity to showcase their talents. Remember last fall’s Ryder Cup? Team Europe neutralized the length advantage of the USA at Le Golf National, and rolled to victory. Great courses from a bygone era will charm competitors and fans alike, and the essence of proper golf course architecture will never fade from fashion.
They say trees are 90% air …
????? ???? ? ????????#QuickHits pic.twitter.com/YPB6X8uOJs
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) January 14, 2019
2. Ryder Cup snubs lead to resurgence
Last week, we discussed the Xander Schauffele snub by USA Ryder Cup team captains. This week, the veteran most expected to make the team (Kuchar) won a second time since that international competition. Nothing sparks the competitive fires like being told that you aren’t good enough. Kuchar’s multiple international caps weren’t enough to secure a spot in France, but he is playing like he wants Tiger Woods (2019 President’s Cup captain) to know that he plans to return to Team USA pronto. We think that the fans support his cause.
Some love for the fans. ????????????
Kuchar heads to the 72nd hole with a 3-shot lead.#LiveUnderPar pic.twitter.com/FXbQfVZE1w
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) January 14, 2019
3. How is what Kuchar does with a putter legal, when other methods are not?
It’s not anchored on the torso (or even the forehead!) as many used to do, but a putter anchored is a putter anchored. Go ahead and discuss fulcrum and pivot as much as you like, but this style eliminates the free tick-tock of the butt end, something mentioned (albeit in more formal language) by the ruling bodies as essential to a proper putting stroke.
Bang. ????
Matt Kuchar is coming up CLUTCH.
3-shot lead.
2 holes left.#LiveUnderPar pic.twitter.com/tMhhsxitcz— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) January 14, 2019
4. What a back ten he played!
How good was Kuchar down the stretch? After making with 3 bogies in his first 5 holes, the Georgian righted the ship with three pars. Beginning at the 9th, he played his final ten holes in 6 strokes below par, creating the 4-stroke victory margin he would celebrate at day’s end. No other golfer in contention had that type of control nor confidence. When Kuchar is on point in regular tour events, he is as likely to win as not. Now, if he could make the leap to professional major championships, he might go down in history!
Want to watch some clutch golf?
Matt Kuchar's highlights from Sunday's @SonyOpenHawaii win. pic.twitter.com/wum1UHHxF8
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) January 14, 2019
5. Andrew Putnam is a candidate for some sort of breakthrough
Putnam won his first tour event in the fall, at the Barracuda Championship at Montreaux. The Pepperdine golfer honed his game on the Web tour, winning twice. A calm demeanor, thorough game and electric putting are three reasons to think that this week’s runner-up might be ready to win again, and challenge in events of greater stature.
Not so fast. Co-leaders.@AndrewPutnam1 is on fire with the flatstick. ???? pic.twitter.com/mse3wXlQHB
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) January 14, 2019
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Morning 9: 58 on the Korn Ferry Tour | Rory on possible return to policy board
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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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News
Morning 9: Tiger’s TGL teammates | Woosnam’s criticism of Cantlay | Rory’s return to tour policy board
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Warrick Lawrence
Jan 15, 2019 at 8:41 am
Again you covered everything you learned from the Sony open?
Again, the only thing we didn’t learn is What’s in the winners bag?
FYI resending the same lame stories under a different headline /link doesn’t make it better or you smarter
Warrick Lawrence
Jan 14, 2019 at 2:40 pm
Sooo WITB??????
It’s the only reason I clicked the link?
frank cichon
Jan 14, 2019 at 1:57 pm
In my opinion it is hard to take the R&A and the USGA seriously when all I hear is GROW the game. I CAN NOT have my 48 inch putter touching my chest….BUT I am allowed on a shorter putter to have it glued right up to my ELBOW…REALLY!!!! While I am ranting …slow play…have the balls to first warn the player and second slow time…1 stroke …within a few tournaments we would see play improve to rounds under 4 hours for a twosome. We will not grow the game by building 12 hole courses (4 hours) but maybe if the average guy could play 18 holes on a weekend in 4 hours his wife may let him play and come home 1-2hours sooner to spend time with his family. THE RULES ARE THERE….JUST HAVE THE BALLS TO ENFORCE THEM!
joro
Jan 14, 2019 at 1:38 pm
So where is the WTB ? They covered everything other than what brand of underwear he had and what he had in his Bag. What a joke,