News

Morning 9: Phil the stallion | Pebble update | Shack on “5 families” Distance Insights takes

Published

6 years ago

Feb 7, 2020

Ben Alberstadt

1. At Pebble…

AP report…”Nick Taylor opened with an eagle, closed with two birdies and made a gorgeous day feel even better with an 8-under 63 at Monterey Peninsula that gave him the lead Thursday in the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am.”

“Most of the interest over three courses in the rotation was at Spyglass Hill, which featured Dustin Johnson and Phil Mickelson, along with five NFL quarterbacks that included Peyton Manning and his recently retired brother, Eli.”

Full piece.

2 “Like a stallion”

Golf Channel’s Randall Mell…”Phil Mickelson was glowing after closing with three straight birdies Thursday to get in early contention to win the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am for a record sixth time.”

“The spark in his eyes was more about all those “bombs” he continued to hit in a 4-under-par 68 at Spyglass Hill, which left him four shots off the lead.”

“I drove it like a stallion,” Mickelson said. “Hit almost every fairway And when you’re doing that you can get aggressive and get after it.”

Full piece.

3. Vic Open Update

European Tour report…”Robin Sciot-Siegrist will take the lead into the weekend for the first time at a European Tour event after carding a brilliant bogey free 64 on day two of the 2020 ISPS Handa Vic Open…In the women’s event, Swede Madelene Sagstrom led the way at 13 under by one shot from American Ally McDonald.”

Full piece.

4. “5 families” Distance Insights Report positions

Geoff Shackelford, using one of his favorite designations, examines where the leading organizations in the golf world stand…

“The USGA, R&A, Augusta National, PGA Tour and PGA of America all have the power to sway votes and alter the course of history…The USGA and R&A can safely be registered as votes after statements made in the “Conclusions” document.”

“The PGA Tour and PGA of America have indicated they are opposed to change in recent years, but at least took a slightly less hostile approach in the report’s wake.”

“And Augusta National, home of the Masters?…When contacted, the club offered no new statement regarding the Distance Insights Study, but instead pointed to past remarks by Chairman Fred Ridley as indicative of their position.”

“….I believe that puts things at 3-2, with those three votes representing the three most prestigious championship titles in golf…”

Full piece.

5. Thomas auctioning off Kobe wedges

Our Gianni Magliocco…”Justin Thomas is auctioning off his four stamped Vokey wedges which he used as a tribute to Kobe Bryant at the Waste Management Phoenix Open, with all the proceeds going to the MambaOnThree Fund.”

“Bryant and his daughter Gianna were tragically killed after a helicopter crash last month along with seven others, and the MambaOnThree Fund exists to “honor and support loved ones of the seven other victims involved in the tragedy that occurred on January 26, 2020.”

“The four Titleist SM8 Raw TOUR Issued Custom Vokey Wedges each contain a unique homage to Bryant, including ’81 points’, ‘Black Mamba’, ‘Mamba Mentality,’ and ‘Kobe Bean Bryant.’

Full piece, and a link to the CharityBuzz auction here.

7. Spieth given Arnie Award

Via Golf Digest…”To honor the late Arnold Palmer and his commitment to charity, Golf Digest has joined forces with the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am, Monterey Peninsula Foundation and Arnie’s Army Charitable Foundation to recognize three individuals who have followed in Arnie’s footsteps and used their love of the game to help others. In February 2020 three-time major champion Jordan Spieth was honored as one of the most charitable Golfers Who Give Back to receive the coveted Arnie Award, Golf Digest’s highest honor in recognition of the Jordan Spieth Family Foundation accomplishments.”

Full piece.

8. ANA Inspiration update

Golf Channel Digital team…“Gabi Ruffels, the reigning U.S. Women’s Amateur champion, is one of five amateurs invited to compete in the LPGA’s first major of the season, the ANA Inspiration.”

“Ruffels, a junior at the University of Southern California, is also the North and South Amateur champion. She is joined in the field by:”

*Rose Zhang…Kaitlyn Papp…Olivia Meheffey,…Angela Ye”

Full piece.

9. Just a couple of QBs golfing…

Great stuff from Randall Mell on observing the both now retired Manning brothers at Pebble Beach…”Peyton and Eli Manning embodied what the real golf experience looks like for most of us.”

“It wasn’t in their difficulty hitting fairways or making pars during the first round of the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am, but in the bonding around their shared struggle.”

“These former NFL quarterbacks, these winners of two Super Bowls each, were just “regular Joes” having a great time being with each other on a beautiful day on the Monterey Peninsula.”

“Norman Rockwell couldn’t have captured the spirit of the golf experience for the vast majority of us better than the images the Manning brothers gave us at Spyglass Hill. Rockwell couldn’t have painted a better picture illustrating the sport’s appeal for those of us more interested in the camaraderie of a regular Saturday game than the numbers we scratch on scorecards. He couldn’t have communicated that better than Peyton and Eli did walking side-by-side off every tee box, engrossed in conversation and laughter.”

Full piece.

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

2 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