News
Tiger Woods chooses Finau, Woodland, Reed, and….himself as his Presidents Cup picks
Tiger Woods has named himself, Tony Finau, Gary Woodland and Patrick Reed as his captain’s picks ahead of next month’s Presidents Cup.
Both Woodland and Finau are set for their debuts at the event, while Reed will be competing in his third consecutive Presidents Cup. For Woods, it will be the 15-time major champion’s first appearance at the biennial tournament since 2013.
Speaking on the decision to pick himself as playing-captain for the event, Woods stated
“The players, they wanted me to play in the event. It’s going to be difficult, but I also have three amazing assistants in Fred (Couples), Stricks (Steve Stricker) and Zach (Johnson). So that helps a lot.”
Both Rickie Fowler and Jordan Spieth are big-name omissions from the team which will feature five rookies. Spieth will be missing his first team event since 2012, while Fowler has been on each U.S. team since 2014.
Speaking on the call to leave Fowler out of the side, Woods stated
“That was a tough call to make. He’s a friend of mine. We kept it short. There was no need for a long call. I’ve been on both sides I haven’t been picked. I get it. He’s obviously going to hurt not being there.”
Woods’ four picks are all higher ranked in the OWGR than any of the players of the International side, but the 43-year-old warned that statistical advantage goes out the window once play gets underway next month.
“On paper we certainly have the advantage in the world ranking. Our players have earned that by playing well around the world and playing well in big events. But when we start out on Thursday, it’s 0-0. We’ve got to go out and earn points to win the cup.”
Woods’ decision to choose himself as a player next month means that he will be the first playing captain at team events since Hale Irwin in 1994.
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Equipment
American Express, Abu Dhabi Golf Championship Tour Truck Report: BK to Srixon? MCA has a ton of new shafts, Rickie goes graphite
TaylorMade
Most of the big action for Team TaylorMade is taking place in Abu Dhabi with Rory and Tommy in the field. After extensive weeks of testing, this is what they have in the bag this week
Tommy Fleetwood WITB
Driver: TaylorMade SIM2 (10.5 degrees @8.5)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Diamana DF 70 TX (tipped 1 inch, 44.75 inches)
3-wood: TaylorMade SIM2 Rocket 3 (13.5 degrees)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Diamana DF 70 TX (42.5 inches)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Diamana DF 80 TX (41.25 inches)
Irons: TaylorMade P7TF (4-PW)
Shafts: Project X Rifle 6.5
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue S400
Putter: Odyssey White Hot Pro 3
Grip: SuperStroke Mid Slim 2.0
Grips: Golf Pride Tour Velvet Cord (D, 3W, 5W, 7W, and wedges), Iomic Sticky @12:30 (irons)
Ball: TaylorMade TP5x ’21 Proto
Rory McIlroy WITB
Driver: TaylorMade SIM2 (10.5 degrees @8.5)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Black 6 X (45.5 inches, 59.25 lie, D4)
3-wood: TaylorMade SIM2 (15 degrees @13.5)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Tensei CK Pro White 80 TX (43.25 inches, 58 lie, D4)
5-wood: TaylorMade SIM2 (19 degrees @ 18.25)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Tensei CK Pro White 90 TX
Irons: TaylorMade P7MB (4-PW)
Shaft: Project X Rifle 7.0 (6.5 in PW)
Wedges: TaylorMade MG2 (52-09SB, 56-12SB, 60-08LB)
Shaft: Project X Rifle 6.5
Putter: TaylorMade Spider X Copper (34.25 inches, 2.5 loft, 70 lie)
Ball: 2021 TaylorMade TP5x (#22)
Grips: Golf Pride Tour Velvet Cord (58R 1+1, logo down)
Matthew Wolff WITB
Driver: TaylorMade SIM2 Max (10.5 degrees @9)
Shaft: Graphite Design Tour AD TP 7 TX
3-wood: TaylorMade SIM2 Titanium (15 degrees)
Shaft: Graphite Design Tour AD XC 8 X
Irons: TaylorMade P7MC (3-PW)
Shafts: Project X 6.5
Wedges: TaylorMade MG2 (50-09SB, 56-12SB, 60-09LB)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue X100
Grips: Golf Pride ZGrip Cord (+3 double-sided tape)
Putter: TaylorMade Spider X Proto (33 inches, lie at 70, 3.5 loft, D4)
Grip: TaylorMade Red/Black
Ball: TaylorMade TP5 ’21 PIX
Other TM news
Doc Redman put the new Aldila Ascent Red 70 TX in his SIM2 (60 TX pictured below).
Sepp Straka put the new MCA Kaili White 60 TX in his SIM2.
Titleist
The Fujikura Ventus Red trend continues with Russell Henley moving from his KBS TD to Ventus Red 7 X in a TSi4.
Tyler Duncan was testing a custom K Grind lob wedge. He was inspired by Kevin Na’s win and looking at Aaron Dill’s pics on IG. Can you blame him?
Justin Thomas (Abu Dhabi) moved out of Ventus Red 6 TX (tipped 1 inch) in his TSi3 (9 degrees) into a Graphite Design Tour AD IZ 6 X. According to my source, JT was looking for a specific feel with the driver and also one that dialed in the launch windows on a little cutter he has been working on. We will keep you updated if it sticks or if any of the info changes.
Callaway
Akshay Bhatia put the new Apex Utility Prototype in play with a KBS Tour Hybrid Prototype 105 X shaft. Shay also put the new Epic Max LS driver (9 degrees @8.5) with a Project X HZRDUS Smoke Green “Hulk” 75G 6.5 TX.
Kevin Na tested Callaway’s Epic Max LS (9 degrees) with a Graphite Design Tour AD GP 6 X. No need to panic, that original Epic gamer ain’t goin’ anywhere till it keels over and dies.
Phil Mickelson was spotted testing a Fujikura Ventus Black 6 X shaft in a Mavrik Sub Zero. Not confirmed if it will indeed go in play.
Ping
Scott Stallings (non-staff) put a Ping G425 LST (10.5 degrees @11) driver in play with an MCA Kaili White 60 TX (tipped 1 inch @45.25).
Abraham Ancer (non-staff) also converted to the Ping G425 LST (9 degrees @7.75) with an MCA Tensei AV Raw Blue 65 TX (tipped 1 inch @45).
Cameron Champ lost his clubs en route to Palm Desert and the Ping Tour squad had to build a brand new set of sticks from scratch, top to bottom. Thankfully the gamers showed up and Cam was left with a fresh new backup set.
Srixon
Rumor has it that former world No. 1 Brooks Koepka has inked a deal with Cleveland/Srixon to play its Z-Star XV ball, ZX7 irons and Cleveland Zip Core Wedges. Koepka showed up to Palm Desert with a new set of irons with Tour Issue X100 shafts, a Srixon utility, and his trusty Nike Vapor Pro 3-iron and TaylorMade M5 driver with an MCA Diamana D+ Limited 70 TX shaft. We will continue to update to confirm or deny the rumors. Awesome news for Srixon and BK if true.
Cobra
Rickie Fowler made some significant changes to his bag coming into Palm Desert. The Cobra staffer put the REV33 MB’s back in the bag this time with a fresh set of Mitsubishi Chemical MMT 125 TX graphite shafts. Fowler, who has tested quite a few different shafts over the years, going from KBS C-Taper S+ to Tour Issue X100, loved the integrity of the MMT’s.
In testing, they tried a set that was soft stepped as well as the current set that is straight in. The overall takeaway was integrity on mis-hits and hitting a very specific flight window all while keeping spin the same. Fowler also had the new Cobra RadSpeed Driver in the bag with a Mitsubishi Tensei Orange 60 TX shaft.
Jason Dufner put the new Aldila Tour Concept 60 TX in his Rad Speed Driver (70 TX pictured below).
Free Agents
Scottie Scheffler finally swapped out his TaylorMade P730’s for a brand new set of P7TW’s (5-PW). Like his older set, they come fully loaded with True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue X100 shafts. Scottie did keep his Srixon Utility 3-iron and Z785 4-iron in the bag, however.
Newly minted free agent Ryan Moore showed up to the Desert with a bag only a true gear junkie could love. The six-company bag featured a TaylorMade SIM Driver, TSi2 3-wood, Srixon hybrids, Mizuno MP-18 irons, and Cleveland Zip Core wedges.
Paul Casey put the Titleist TSi3 driver in the bag with a Mitsubishi Diamana D+ Limited 70 TX shaft.
KBS seeded out a new Proto graphite shaft. The yet-to-be-named new edition to the TD line has a higher modulus material on the bottom third to increase stability and lower torque. The feedback with the original TD from players with fast speeds: it needed to be stiffer. This “newer version,” which will probably only come in the category 4 and 5, is very firm.
Patrick Reed went back to his Ping G400 LST driver—that’s all on that.
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GolfWRX is live at The 2020 American Express as the tour returns to the mainland United States following its Hawaii Swing.
Brooks Koepka, Patrick Reed, Patrick Cantlay, and of course the tournament’s host, Phil Mickelson, will all tee it up in La Quinta, California, this week.
We have an abundance of special galleries as new gear floods the tour as players return to the continental U.S. for the first time in 2021, as well as general galleries for your perusal.
Special galleries
- Cameron putters – 2021 American Express
- PXG Gen 4 prototype drivers – new putters
- UST Maymiya LinQ shafts – American Express 2021
- Mitsubishi Kaili & MMT shafts – American Express 2021
- Titleist TSi 2 & TSi 3 hybrids – American Express 2021
- TaylorMade putter cover for Palm Springs/Palm Desert – American Express
- New Aldila Synergy, Ascent & prototype shafts – American Express 2021
- Callaway Apex Pro iron, Epic Driver and fairway, Apex iron & hybrid
- New Perfect Practice training aids – American Express 2021
- New KBS prototype shafts – American Express 2021
- Rickie – Cobra driver & MMT graphite shafts in his irons – American Express 2021
- Cameron putters (#2) – American Express 2021
- Cameron putters – #3 – American Express 2021
- Super Stroke grips – American Express 2021
- Odyssey putter covers – American Express 2021
- Paul Casey putting a Titleist driver in play – American express 2021
- Graphite Design AD HD shafts – American Express 2021
- Anirban Lahiri’s custom Odyssey/Toulon putter – American Express 2021
General galleries
- 2021 American Express – Tuesday #1
- 2021 American Express – Tuesday #2
- 2021 American Express – Tuesday #3
- 2021 American Express – Tuesday #4
- 2021 American Express – Wednesday #1
- 2021 American Express – Wednesday #2
- 2021 American Express – Wednesday #3
See what GolfWRXers are saying in the forums.
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Kim Chee
Nov 8, 2019 at 5:10 pm
Lots of salty ass Tiger haters in here. And the usual bringing up of his infidelity is sickening. Y’all are carrying a six shooter with only one bullet.
Everyone deserves a change to change. Whether you care to admit it or not, he has changed. He was humbled big time when the game he loves so dearly was taken from him. He has so much more appreciation for the game and other people now. Take it from someone who has met him personally BEFORE and AFTER his change.
Stop being so damn salty, you ignorant bags of trash.
Steve C
Nov 8, 2019 at 4:34 pm
99% sure that TV execs were in Tigers ear convincing him to play. And I doubt it took too much arm twisting.
Big Dan
Nov 8, 2019 at 5:29 pm
So much negativity. Tiger is simply the best ever. The event will be so much more interesting with him playing. I for one wouldn’t even consider watching this event if Tiger wasn’t playing. Go Tiger go.
Jp
Nov 8, 2019 at 7:05 pm
You do realize tiger has not had a winning record nor has the United States won but one ryder cup with him on the team is last Ryder cup appearance he went 0 for 5 in points best ever hardly
MT
Nov 9, 2019 at 11:33 am
He was the best, but now is inconsistent. His Ryder and President cup record is not stellar.
He should have given another player the opportunity.
joro
Nov 8, 2019 at 3:17 pm
Woods has proven many times he stinks in team play. Look at his past, he cannot play with others, just against others. He and Phil, two of the greatest ever both suck at team play.
But so be it, he had a choice and he took it leaving someone who could handle team play out. Good Luck Mr. Woods, you had an option and took it now go feed your ego..
Pdq
Nov 8, 2019 at 2:06 pm
You know who is happy Tiger picked Tiger? The networks this will draw more eyeballs to the lay golf fan.
Speedy
Nov 8, 2019 at 1:35 pm
Go International Team!
Eck42
Nov 8, 2019 at 1:07 pm
Just my thought, but I would like to see Captains not eligible to play. I think picking yourself is very selfish.
John Bachman
Nov 9, 2019 at 7:02 am
Couldn’t agree more
Dave
Nov 8, 2019 at 10:04 am
Patrick Reed….are you kidding me. Why because he was so stellar as your partner? Very disappointed.
JP
Nov 8, 2019 at 9:14 am
Tiger picking himself is the right move. IMO only
.
If America wins, nobody will be able to question it. Wait for the results and decide then.
.
And I agree, Trump is the best thing to happen to America since Columbus.
Weaseling
Nov 8, 2019 at 3:16 am
What a selfish move, he himself and waffles house waitresses. Poor move on his part. Imagine the phone call to Fowler… he man I was going to pick u but I picked myself!
Obee
Nov 8, 2019 at 9:57 am
You an Arnold Palmer fan?
B
Nov 8, 2019 at 10:14 am
So picking the #7 ranked player in the world, who just won his last tournament played, over the 21st ranked player in the world, who hasn’t played since the Tour Championship is a selfish and poor move? Makes sense to me. Pick a guy who has been worried about a wedding and banging his wife on their honeymoon over a guy who just won and is ranked well ahead of him in the OWGR. Keep trolling bro
john
Nov 8, 2019 at 1:36 am
surprised no Fowler .. I would take a Fowler over Reed any day
MW
Nov 7, 2019 at 10:57 pm
I guess his back is better…when he wants it to be. Or is it his knee, or his…
Bob
Nov 7, 2019 at 10:39 pm
Just confirming that Tiger is a narcissistic, selfish individual! He could have done something good for golf by choosing a young, up and comer.
Simms
Nov 8, 2019 at 1:07 am
100% correct, it would have been a real shot in the arm for him to just be the Captain. Just as his image was becoming stronger he pulls this bone head mistake…
I See Dumb People
Nov 8, 2019 at 9:33 am
What are you guys talking about? The guy literally just won last week and also won the Masters. In the tournaments he’s played in at 100%, he’s been great. If anyone else was captain they would pick Tiger. Just because he’s in the driver’s seat he’s not allowed to put together the best team? Tiger not being on the roster would be a mistake. No matter who is making that call.
Mike
Nov 8, 2019 at 2:27 am
Good for golf, are you drunk? The more Tiger plays with the few years he has left the better it is for golf. The more he plays directly influences the amount of new golfers we have. Nobodys turning on the TV or going to a tournament to watch some up and comer golfer, whether you like it or not Tiger is the draw for people.
Bob
Nov 8, 2019 at 7:19 am
Wow..has golf participation inclined or declined during the Tiger era? I know it will be hard for you Mike, but think hard….it’s declined greatly! Actually, I’m glad he chose himself. Now…I, for sure, will not be waisting my time watching this event.
Obee
Nov 8, 2019 at 9:54 am
Sigh…
Jimmy
Nov 7, 2019 at 10:10 pm
No kuch, no donkeys..
Kevin S
Nov 7, 2019 at 9:50 pm
Tiger is correct. Austrialian courses are vastly different from the states. Once the wind starts blowing, it will be a whole different story. Kevin kisner would be a better select over captain america
JP
Nov 7, 2019 at 10:12 pm
And Reed is a douche!
Miller Time
Nov 8, 2019 at 9:53 am
He may be a douche, but he’s the best player on the US team in these types of formats!
d
Nov 8, 2019 at 9:49 am
reed is a great match player….reed is from texas used to playing in the wind. Hits a natural draw again good for wind…..
Tiger picking himself is fine. When healthy or focused he is still top 10 player and the number 1 draw period.