News

Tour Rundown resumes: Kim, Korda, Hatton, and Clarke take trophies

Published

5 years ago

Jan 24, 2021

My predictions are usually declassified, years after the fact, as wretched fails by a desperate prognosticator. Such attachments fail to dissuade me from continuing to prognosticate, and my anticipation for 2021 is that it will be the Year of the Hatton. If interested, read the European Tour summary below.

After two weeks of single events on the PGA Tour, the pistons of three other tours began to pump in week three of January 2021. Such machinations can mean but one glorious thing: the return of Tour Rundown … Olé!

From the LPGA to the PGA, from the Europeans to the Champions, welcome back and welcome home. It’s great to have your eyes on these words again. Sit back and enjoy Tour Rundown número uno for 2021.

PGA Tour: The American Express counts three wins for Kim

Patrick Cantlay probably figured that he needed to make birdie on two-thirds of the holes Sunday, to have a shot at the title at The American Express. It’s not that he feared third-round leader Tony Finau, who has developed an uncomfortable penchant for not closing the deal on Sunday. It’s that too many finishers, starting with Abraham Ancer and Si Woo Kim, were close enough to threaten. On Sunday, Cantlay posted 11 birdies for 61 and came up one shot shy of a playoff. Despite doubling his strokes under par, from -11 to -22, Cantlay found only second spot on the podium.

Prior to Sunday, Si Woo Kim had not won in nearly four years. His last victory, his second, was at The Players Championship in 2017. That’s a pretty strong victory for anyone, so when victory beckoned in Palm Desert, Kim was ready. His round wasn’t as electric as Cantlay’s, but its strength lay in its consistency. Four times on Sunday, Kim made back-to-back birdies. That four-pack of duets totaled eight under par, enough to vault him past Finau (4th place), past a hard-charging Cameron Davis (130 on the weekend for solo 3rd) and Cantlay, to minus-23.

European Tour: Abu Dhabi Classic is Hatton’s sixth tour title

Tyrrell Hatton, Knight of the Thrice Double Consonant, is golf’s heir to the Most Interesting Man crown, worn currently by Miguel Ángel Jiménez. From the coiffed facial hair, to the square jaw, from the clenched-when-not-grinding teeth to the under-his-breath narrative, Hatton oozes hilarity. It’s not that he doesn’t look, sound, nor play like a boss; it’s that the combination of all of his characteristics, mannerisms, and nuances is beyond the pale when it comes to interest and humor. And when he wins, it is glorious.

Hatton’s generation lay in the shadow of one Rory McIlroy. When the Northern Irishman and his massive curls arrived fifteen years back, his counterparts certainly wondered “Why him?” and upped their games. As a result, we have Hatton, Fairway Jesus, Shane Lowry, and others, from the British isles, playing at McIlroy’s level. The shadow has grown weighty for McIlroy, and Hatton is poised to claim it from the four-time major champion.

Hatton posted four bogies on the entirety of the week in the United Arab Emirates this week. McIlroy twice had rounds with four bogies or worse. Hatton is tidy, while poor Rory has grown sloppier with age. In the first and fourth rounds, Hatton posted clean cards, consisting of five or more, sub-par holes. After opening with an eight-birdie, no-bogey effort, McIlroy set sail on the seas of turbulence. What is most enervating about his play is that he finished five back of Hatton, after opening with birdies on two of his first three holes in round four. Where was the continuity of that brilliance? Absent.

In total contrast, Hatton played thorough and conservative golf until the turn of the course arrived in view. Standing one-under on the day and in complete command of his senses and game, the Englishman notched three birdies from holes seven to ten, to seize absolute control of the tournament. Even though Aussie Jason Scrivener would match Hatton’s closing 66, it would gain but a solo second finish, four back of the pride of High Wycombe. Thus spake Zarathustra: 2021 will be the Year of the tight-jawed bloke from Buckinghamshire.

LPGA Tour: Diamond Resorts is Jessica Korda’s sixth tour title

No one, let me restate, NO ONE, should follow up a third-round 60 (featuring a back-nine 28) with a 66—while playing with her younger sister (#4 in the world) and the #5-ranked player (the overnight leader.) Despite the long odds, Jessica Korda did precisely that. After her meteoric rise from nowhere to contention, thanks to a nine-birdie, one-eagle Saturday round, things looked gloomy for Korda early on Sunday. She stood at one over through five holes, already two shots down on the day to overnight leader Danielle Kang.

We may never know what transpired at that point, but a switch certainly flipped. Kang played two-under golf the rest of the way, and lost four shots to Korda. Younger sister Nelly Korda caught her own bottle of lighting, posting a seven-under 64. It vaulted her to solo third, two behind Korda and Kang. In the end, Jessica and Danielle went into overtime, with Korda making birdie at the first extra hole for the win.

Know this: you’ll see many a stellar third round in 2021, on all the world’s tours, as players avail themselves of moving day. You’ll also count on one hand the number who challenge on Sunday, and you might count on your thumbs the number who win. What Jessica Korda did to open the 2021 tour was certainly uncommon, if not outright unbelievable.

PGA Tour Champions: Mitsubishi Electric is Clarke’s 2nd senior title

There is no doubt that contestants want to know how Fred Couples shot 63 on day two of the Mitsubishi Electric. A quick scan of the top 15 finishers reveals that most signed their worst scorecard of the week for that middle round. Another one of golf’s mysteries, so let’s move on to the finish and Darren Clarke.

The 2011 Open champion claimed an inaugural Champions Tour win in November of 2020. The victory was his first since his seminal triumph at Royal St. George’s. This week, on the Big Island of Hawai’i, Clarke outmatched his 2nd round co-leader, Jerry Kelly, and the other 41 competitors in round three. He departed paradise with a two-shot victory, a smile, and a trophy … and some cash.

Clarke began the week with a flawless 63 (7 birdies and 1 eagle) to stand one back of Retief Goosen’s 10-birdie 62. Day two arrived, and Goosen “soared” to a 71. Clarke held firm with 68, and seized a two-advantage, courtesy in part of Goosen’s bogey-bogey finish. Those strokes would stand up in round three, as both golfers posted 64 over the final round, tied for low daily by two strokes.

Jerry Kelly might have had his Green Bay Packers on the mind, as he could not match playing partner Clarke’s magnificence. The Wisconsin native posted the same number of birdies as his Northern Irish counterpart, but stumbled thrice with a double and two bogeys. No doubt a third-place finish is not the worst way to begin the 2021 campaign, but Kelly will certainly chew his lip on the long mainland flight over what slipped away.

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