News

Morning 9: Big developments in Golf TV world | Presidents Cup ratings soar | Storylines of the year

Published

6 years ago

Dec 17, 2019

GolfWRX Staff

By Ben Alberstadt

Email me at [email protected] and find me at @benalberstadt on Instagram and golfwrxEIC on Twitter.

December 17, 2019

Good Tuesday morning, golf fans. Anything interesting going on in the golf Twitterverse?

**We’re looking for advertisers for 2020. Drop me a line if you’d like to talk about getting your message in front of the M9 readership. Banner and native ad possibilities are, well, possible**

1. CBS shakeup continues

Via Golfweek’s Forecaddie…AKA almost certainly Geoff Shackelford…”The Man Out Front hears that CBS isn’t done shaking up its golf broadcast team. Longtime coordinating producer Lance Barrow is expected to announce that the 2020 season will be his final year calling the shots in the truck.”

“Sellers Shy, who has been a longtime producer on CBS Sports’ golf coverage team, will assume the top job, according to a person who is familiar with the situation, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly. Shy has worked as replay producer, associate director and producer for CBS golf coverage, including the Masters Highlight Show and Masters Preview.”

Full piece.

And via Golf Digest’s Joel Beall...”The network announced that Lance Barrow, who has served as the golf division’s coordinating producer since 1997, will step down following the 2020 season.”

“For over 40 years Lance has embodied the tradition and history of CBS Sports golf and set the standard of excellence in golf production,” said Sean McManus, chairman of CBS Sports. “He is a golf institution and has been a tremendous ambassador of the sport on behalf of CBS Sports. We can’t thank Lance enough for his many contributions.”

Full piece.

2. PGA Tour inking new deal with CBS, NBC

Golf Digest’s Joel Beall piggybacking on the (paywalled) SBJ report (else I’d pull from that)…SBJ’s John Ourand writes that the framework is in place for a nine-year deal, with an official announcement coming in 2020. The PGA Tour could take in $700 million per year with the signing, per Ourand, up from an estimated $400 million per year payout in its current deals.

“NBC and CBS are expected to retain each network’s regular-season schedule. A new twist is that the networks will alternate producing the FedEx Cup Playoff series, with NBC getting five postseasons to CBS’ four. In the current deal, NBC has sole rights to the season-ending Tour Championship.”

“SBJ also reports the Tour has agreed to terms with Golf Channel, which will see Golf Channel’s yearly fee double.”

Full piece.

3. Storylines of the year

Golf Channel compiled its newsmakers of the year, presenting numbers 10-6 first. Here are a couple…

“Presidents Cup redefined with Tiger, Ernie…After another American rout in the 2017 Presidents Cup, the biennial competition felt like it was receiving its last rites. Then came the announcement of the 2019 captains: Tiger Woods (U.S.) and Ernie Els (Internationals). Well, now, that’s intriguing. Interest was struck up again in the matches, and as the year wore on, there was constant chatter about who would make the team, who would get picked and if Woods would serve as a playing captain.”

“The hype was good for an event that is often overlooked, but the actual competition needed to excite – and it did. Els’ team looked poised and powerful, and seemed primed to win for the first time since 1998 at the same venue. But Woods and Co. dominated the Sunday singles to keep the cup in American hands.”

“New Tour schedule creates major congestion…Avoiding football’s long shadow and creating a championship season may have been the primary goals of the new schedule but the added benefit of top players playing more is certainly a pleasant byproduct.”

“The 2019 PGA Tour schedule was like none that preceded it. From an earlier postseason to the return of The Players to March and the move of the PGA Championship to May, it was an itinerary that asked creatures of habit to craft some new plans.”

Full piece.

4. Big ratings bump for Prez Cup

Press release…”Saturday’s Final Day singles matches at the Presidents Cup at Royal Melbourne Golf Club in Australia became the most-watched cable telecast in Presidents Cup history, according to Nielsen Fast Nationals. “

“Airing live in primetime on GOLF Channel (6 p.m.-12:05 a.m. ET), the final day posted a Total Audience Delivery (TAD) of 1.742 million viewers per minute (+141% vs. ’15 Final Day), including 1.705 million viewers per minute tuning in to the linear telecast. Viewership peaked at 2.15 million viewers per minute (1.37 U.S. HH rating) from 11:15-11:30 p.m. ET as the United States team was completing its come-from-behind victory over the International team. Saturday also became the most-streamed Final Day in Presidents Cup history.”

5. Equipment storylines

Golf.com’s Jonathan Wall on equipment storylines of note from the Presidents Cup…

“The Mavrik…The final few months of each year offers gear nuts a sneak peek at equipment coming down the pipeline. More often than not, the big reveal is done at a PGA Tour event during the fall portion of the season where there isn’t nearly as many eyeballs on the coverage. Apparently, Xander Schauffele didn’t get the memo.”

“In a surprise move, Xander added Callaway’s “Mavrik” prototype driver to the bag for the Presidents Cup. After testing it out at the conclusion of the Tour Championship, and during practice rounds at Royal Melbourne, he felt comfortable enough with the driver to put in play.”

“Loft it low…Driver loft is far from the sexiest equipment topic – unless you happen to be Bryson DeChambeau and wield a Cobra King SpeedZone with 4.8 degrees of loft. Arguably the wildest equipment story of the week, DeChambeau took a page from the long drive tour and opted for a driver with sub-5 degrees of loft in an effort to maintain optimal launch numbers as his club head speed (and shirt size) continues to grow.”
“According to DeChambeau, it ultimately came down to seeing too much spin with his previous driver. The 5-time Tour winner noticed roughly 3,000 rpm’s of spin on mishits and around 2,300 on center face strikes. With the lower loft, he was seeing mishits that were much more manageable in the launch and spin department.”

Full piece.

6. An intimidator again?

Perspective from Golf Channel’s Randall Mell…We saw the iron-hearted warrior melt in the emotional aftermath of the American victory. Ultimately, we listened to players reveal that Woods shared enough of himself to inspire them all as his adopted children for the week.

“My boys all played well,” Woods said through moistened eyes. “We did it together.”

“This wasn’t just a transformative Presidents Cup for Tiger Woods. It may have been a transformative week for American players, who will soon turn their focus to trying to beat the icon they watched more fully regenerate in Australia.”

“Perhaps, for the first time, the youngest Americans were truly witnesses to all the formidable reserves their playing captain possesses.”

Full piece.

7. Vince India

Golf Digest’s Brian Wacker catches up with Vince India, who narrowly missed out on clinching his PGA Tour card earlier this year…

“Four months later, Vince India finally exorcised whatever demons might have been lingering from one of golf’s most heartbreaking stories of 2019.”

The demons in question…”In August, India was playing in the second-to-last group and tied for second in the final round of the WinCo Foods Portland Open when he got to the par-5 18th at Pumpkin Ridge Golf Course in Oregon. If he won, he would be headed to the PGA Tour for the first time. A par on the last would get him through to the three-event Korn Ferry Tour Finals, where the top 75 on the points list get yet another opportunity to earn a card.”

“Trailing leader Bo Hoag by a stroke and figuring he needed to make eagle to have any shot at winning, India instead double-bogeyed the hole after his shot from a greenside bunker trickled past the flag, rolled off the green and settled in a drain, and his next shot rolled back into the same drain. He finished fifth to fall to 85th in the season-long points race and was relegated to Korn Ferry qualifying school.”

Full piece.

8. Streamsong re-grassing

Tom Dunne for Golfweek…”Streamsong Resort’s first two courses, the Blue and the Red, will have new grass – a Bermudagrass named Mach One – installed on their greens over the next two years. The Blue will come first in 2020 and the Red will follow in 2021, with each course closed during the slower summer months for installation and other related touchups.”

“That will leave 36 of 54 holes open during each course’s installation at the resort, which is about 90 miles southwest of Orlando and 50 miles southeast of Tampa.”

Full piece.

9. Irons of the year

We’re round up our selections of the irons you ought to shortlist for testing and fitting from the myriad of impressive models released in 2019. Our methodology is similar to what we did for the best drivers: we asked top fitters how they categorize players, after some debate, we formulated our five categories of player and discussed the choices in each with the fitters. As with the best driver: to determine the absolute most optimum iron for you, you need to get fit, but if you’re looking for a short list to choose from, we’re presenting the best options.

First up, it’s the most technology-packed irons.

Full piece.

Tour Photo Galleries

Photos from the 2026 Memorial Tournament

Published

9 hours ago

Jun 1, 2026

Ben A

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

2026 The Memorial – Monday #1

WITB Albums

Pullout Albums

News

Tour Tech Rundown: Heroic Henley

Published

20 hours 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