News

Morning 9: Mother Nature | Tiger speaks on Masters win | Day on mentally checking out of past Prez Cups

Published

7 years ago

Apr 26, 2019

Ben Alberstadt

By Ben Alberstadt ([email protected])

April 26, 2019

Good Friday morning, golf fans.

1. Mother Nature steals the show…

Jeff Duncan at The Times-Picayune on a soggy round one in New Orleans…

“Trey Mullinax and Scott Stallings have the early lead at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans, but Mother Nature dominated the opening round of play on Thursday.”

“A seven-hour rain delay prevented half the field from teeing off in the first round of four-ball competition, but it didn’t appear to adversely affect the leaders. Mullinax sank a 25-foot putt on Hole No. 9 to give his team the outright lead at 11-under-par 61 on the water-logged tract at TPC of Louisiana.”

Full piece.

2. Meanwhile, in Morocco…

EuropeanTour.com report…

“Jordan Smith is eager to turn his consistent play into a second European Tour victory after firing a brilliant 66 to take the first round lead at the Trophée Hassan II.”

“The Englishman arrived at Royal Golf Dar Es Salam refreshed after a break which followed his first top ten of the season at the Maybank Championship in March.”

“Before that he had made six cuts out of six and seven birdies on the par 73 layout in Rabat moved him to seven under and gave the 26-year-old a one shot lead over 2014 champion Alejandro Cañizares and American Sean Crocker.”

Full piece.

3. Woods “hasn’t come to grips” with Masters win yet

Nick Menta at Golf Channel on a TW talk with GolfTV…

“In an interview with GolfTV, Woods says he’s spent the days since his win enjoying dinners with friends, taking his kids to and from school, and otherwise not doing “very much.”

“I know that sounds boring,” he said, “but I really haven’t. I’ve just been home and letting everything thaw out and just trying to understand what I [have] accomplished. But I haven’t – I don’t think – come to grips with it yet.

“It’s very similar to what it was in 1997, and that took me years to understand what I had accomplished, and I don’t think this one will settle in for quite some time.”

“This one feels special in its own way,” he said. “This year, to go 14 years between jackets is a long time. … And on top of that to actually have won my first major championship coming from behind. It’s so ironic, given my last few years of what I’ve kind of had to battle through, that now is finally the time I finally come from behind when I’ve had more game throughout the years, and I’ve had more runs, and I’ve been in situations where I’ve been in better spots. … For some reason I got it done.”

Full piece.

Watch the video here.

4. Day mentally checked out of Presidents Cups?

Golf Channel’s Nick Menta...”Day admitted this week at the Zurich Classic that he has been guilty of checking out at times in the biennial matches between the U.S. and Internationals. He pointed to the 2015 Cup in South Korea, where he went 0-4-1. Overall, the world’s 14th-ranked player and former world No. 1 is 5-11-4 in the team event.”

“To be able to get the guys together into a team environment can be very difficult at times,” Day said, “especially when some guys are not quite there mentally because it is the end of the season, and I’m the first one to put my hand up in regards to that because unfortunately, it has to start at the top, and I’ve made mistakes with regards to not mentally being there.

Full piece.

5. J-Pete coming out of retirement (again)?

Golf Channel’s Brentley Romine with the quote from John Peterson…

“Sometimes you’ve got to take a step back to realize what you had,” said Peterson, who was a three-time All-American at LSU and won the 2011 NCAA individual title. “I was in an office for seven months, and it was fine when I started, I was paying the bills. Then the Masters came along, and I’m watching this kid Patrick Cantlay, who in 2011 finished second to me in the national championship when he was at UCLA, and he’s finishing ninth in the Masters. It’s on TV, and I beat him, and I beat him a lot, and I’m just like, ‘Man, that could be me.’ And then Tiger wins, with his story, it was just so inspiring, honestly.

“And I quit my job, seriously, the next day after the Masters.”

Piece.

6. Another U.S. Open exemption for Els

PGA Tour report…”Presidents Cup International Team captain Ernie Els received a nice piece of news during the lengthy rain delay Thursday at the first round of the Zurich Classic of New Orleans.”

“The USGA gave the two-time U.S. Open champ a special exemption for the second consecutive year. Els is the first player to receive consecutive exemptions since Hale Irwin in 2002 and 2003.”

Full piece.

7. McNealy shoots 75…with a 13

Golf Digest’s Alex Myers…”McNealy began on the back nine at Briggs Ranch and jumped out to a two-under start through three holes before disaster struck. Let’s just say 13 wasn’t his lucky number on Thursday. McNealy walked away from his fourth hole at six over par after racking up 13 shots on the par-5 13th. He bogeyed the following hole as well to fall to seven over through five holes. Here’s a look at the wild patch of holes:”

“But there’s a reason why McNealy has his name on his golf bag, and why he is regarded as a serious PGA Tour prospect. Much like Kevin Na after his infamous 16 at the 2011 Valero Texas Open (What is up with the San Antonio area producing these big numbers), McNealy rallied in heroic fashion after that with no more blemishes on his scorecard and four more birdies. Here’s the end result:”

Full piece.

8. The case for Woods the winningest

Eamon Lynch makes a strong case…

“This isn’t a record that should be debatable,” Lynch says. “We’ll just have to wait until Tiger puts it to rest for good. And when No. 82 comes, it will be just like the 81 that preceded it. The work of one man hitting every shot that counts.”

His full take here

9. Rating the walk-ups

Great stuff from our Matt Gallardo rating the walk-up songs of the Zurich Classic teams

“Steve Stricker/Jerry Kelly: As Good as I Once Was – Toby Keith”

“This is, perfect. All I see is an Italian chef kissing their hands to this selection, sheer perfection. Self deprecation, confidence and an overall great song. I have to imagine Jerry Kelly came up with this and Stricker tried to argue he’s still in his prime.”

“Tommy Fleetwood/Sergio Garcia: Radio Gaga – Queen”

“Queen, so hot right now. Winner of nearly every Oscar, these Ryder Cup teammates kept it current with Queen while selecting a deeper cut. Somewhere, Francesco Molinari is looking at Instagram posts of this pairing and wondering what went wrong.”

Full piece.

Tour Photo Galleries

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

Published

5 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