News

5 things we learned: Friday at the Travelers Championship

Published

6 years ago

Jun 27, 2020

If things do change, sometimes, they stay the same. In the case of the PGA Tour, one thing hasn’t changed: going low, then staying there, is mighty difficult. Four rounds of 63 or better were posted on Thursday. On Friday, all four golfers soared to 68 or higher. 68 and 69 aren’t bad scores, but they don’t serve to separate a golfer from the field. Their purpose is to keep the golfer in the midst of the fray, with the anticipation that another of those low numbers will return, on Saturday or Sunday. One golfer did manage to follow a 64 with a 63, and that’s the reason that he finds himself in first place after 36 holes. We did learn five things on Friday at the Travelers Championship, and it is our pleasure to share them with you.

1. Let’s begin with Phil

Philip Alfred Mickelson is six feet three inches tall, and just turned 50 years of age. He is in the best shape of his adult life, and has no desire to join the next tour just yet. There can be no doubt that he wishes for one more victory, and that it be a US Open. To come at Winged Foot, where he once came agonizingly close, would be too much to ask. For now, he desires to prepare himself for that fall weekend in September. His work at TPC River Highlands has been stellar, and has granted him a lead of a single shot. Mickelson rests at 13-under par, with a solitary bogey standing between him and perfection. He followed that second-hole plus-one on Friday with eight birdies over the next 16 holes. His driving has been long and accurate enough, according to statistics. As for the money categories, he is firing on both cylinders. Mickelson has given himself a birdie putt on over 80 percent of holes played, and putted extremely well. Can phifty-year old Phil keep it up? We shall find out on Saturday, when he pegs his pelota with…

2. Gordon & Hughes …

should probably have an LLC or a pair of esquire after it. Will Gordon is the type of player that the Travelers loves. He is a recent graduate of a division 1 school, with a golfing pedigree that makes aficionados envious. Gordon matriculated at Vanderbilt, and earned first-team All-American status. His Friday round tied for low of the day, a 62 matched only by Brendan Steele, who sits close by, in a tie for 4th. Gordon was out in minus-three, and returned home in minus-five. Like Mickelson, he had one bogey on Friday, else a 61 might have tied him at the top. As for Hughes, a one-time winner on tour (four years back, at the RSM Classic), his return toward the top has been slowed by second-guessing and awareness. What matters is, he tees off today in the final group. No one could have expected the Canadian pride to match his back-nine 29 from Thursday, and he did not. Hughes came home in 34 on Friday, with one birdie and eight pars on the card.

Hughes and Gordon have the difficult task of keeping up with Phil Mickelson, yet not focusing solely on the lefthander. Plenty of hungry, birdie machines lie in pursuit, and will seize every opportunity to steam past the final trio, into the lead.

3. McIlroy

This day will be an important one for the north Ulsterman. His talent is immeasurable, comparisons with the greatest of the greats are inevitable, and McIlroy underperforms when he should not. He opened with 63, and lurched to a 68 on Friday. As noted above, not a bad round. However, pay attention to the pair of par-three bogeys that he made on the outward nine. Give a pro the opportunity to tee the ball up to his liking, and the chance to putt for birdie should be realistic, if not guaranteed. At the fifth, he played to 45 feet and three-putted. At the eighth, he played to the water, and showed grit in making a 16-feet putt for bogey. McIlroy needs to be in command of all of his skills. Saturday will reveal if this is the case.

4. Ancer to answer?

It would be easy to write about Jon Rahm, Dustin Johnson, and Xander Schauffele. Each has earned our attention, and follow them we shall. It is Abraham Ancer who deserves our focus, at least for these few minutes. His quiet confidence, his desire to immerse himself in the heat of the cauldron, is enviable. Many think that they want this, but shy away from total immersion. Ancer had an ace in round one, at the 16th, and has posted four bogies over two days. Nothing says that this is the guy, except for his downward trend. He had 67 on day one, followed by 65 on day two. He will need a 63 on day three, and some help from those with the advantage. Keep an eye on the Presidents Cup surprise of 2019.

5. Prediction Time

Most likely to make an early run: Viktor Hovland. It’s his style. If he closes as well, he’ll be in the final group on Sunday.

Most likely to make a Saturday exit: Dustin Johnson. His focus is not there yet, not razor sharp, like it was in the mid-2010s.

Most likely to sneak into the final threesome: Brendan Steele. Also, in his nature. A quiet assassin.

Most likely to paint the round for what it was: Bryson DeChambeau. Until someone takes the title, he is the best interview on tour. Honest and well-spoken.

Most likely to take massively-deep breaths: Jon Rahm. Working on composure. Has a barrel chest and still has the look of frustration

Tour Photo Galleries

Photos from the 2026 Memorial Tournament

Published

11 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

22 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