News

Five Things We Learned: Friday at The Open Championship

Published

3 years ago

Jul 21, 2023

The ghosts of Royal Liverpool set the halfway cut at 3 over par on Friday, sending a fair portion of the original field away for the weekend’s conclusion. Gone are three of the most recent Open Championship winners: Morikawa, Lowry, and Molinari. Still around are two of the older, recent champions (Johnson and Stenson), which suggests that links golf is less about power and more about patience and guile. The day’s most exciting round of golf concluded with a spectacular eagle at the last hole, while the newest hole at Hoylake was christened with its first Open ace. We’ll begin our Friday installation of Five Things We Learned with that shot from Travis Smyth, who bid farewell to this year’s championship with one, lasting swing.

Hole-in-one on 17!

Travis Smyth with an historic shot at Little Eye. pic.twitter.com/CkgTl2lvtt

— The Open (@TheOpen) July 21, 2023

1. Brian Harman and the round of the day

The history of the Open Championship is rife with players who evolved from no concept of links golf to masters of its nuances. None was more celebrated for this evolution than the 1930 champion, Bobby Jones, who won at Hoylake, on his way to the single-season Grand Slam of golf. Brian Harman finished 26th at Royal Liverpool in his first Open appearance in 2014. We’ll call that Beginner’s Luck, as the portsider proceeded to miss the cut in his next four appearances in the game’s oldest championship. In 2021, a switch flipped, and this Georgia native reached an understanding of the requisite shots and temperament for seaside golf. He finished 19th at Royal St. George’s, and 6th at St. Andrews last year.

Harman turned in the second day’s finest round at Liverpool. After opening with 67, the two-time winner on the PGA Tour signed for birdie on holes two through five to reach eight under par. He then went on a Faldo-esque run of pars, making a dozen consecutive to arrive at the 18th tee in fine fashion. After a marvelous drive that flirted with the OOB corner, Harman launched an iron skyward, and watched it ultimately cease revolving some 15 feet above the hole. With great care, he rolled the ball into the cup to take a five-shot advantage into the weekend.

Prodigious.

Brian Harman signs off with an eagle for a superb 65.

He leads by five shots. pic.twitter.com/a3u2j36SGn

— The Open (@TheOpen) July 21, 2023

2. Another eagle at the last

Defending champion Cameron Smith was on the outside, looking in, with one hole to play. With one, stylish swing of his hybrid, the 2022 winner at St. Andrews moved from over the cut line, to 2 over par. Smith looked for all the world to be done early this week, after a fourth bogey on the day at the lengthy 16th. He carved an iron in close on the 17th, but the world’s best putter inexplicably missed the eight-foot putt. His drive at the last found the fairway, and then came the sort of swing we watched all last year at the home of golf. Smith will have to make up a dozen shots on the current leader over two days, but we won’t count any former winner out.

Exquisite shot by the defending Champion.

Cam Smith will be here on the weekend. pic.twitter.com/tQChBh05vS

— The Open (@TheOpen) July 21, 2023

3. Tommy, Tommy, Tommy …

As intimated yesterday, two of the three first-round leaders went away. Christo Lamprecht did what most amateurs do, which totaled 8 over par on day two. He did make the cut, and is guaranteed the low amateur medal on the week. Emiliano Grillo didn’t drift as far as Lamprecht, but he did struggle to a 74 on day two. He stands at minus-two on the week, in 7th position. The leader who attracted all of our attention overnight is Fairway Jesus, the local lad from an hour up the coastline in Southport, across the river Mersey. Tommy Fleetwood is the Ryder Cup hero, the affable competitor who we all feel is due an Open Championship in this lifetime.

Fleetwood did nothing spectacular on his outward Friday nine. He managed eight pars and a bogey, and looked at any moment to be cast adrift from the competitors. As great champions do, Fleetwood managed his way around Harry Colt’s course with calm and consistency. He posted birdie at 10, bogey at 13, a pair of birdies at 14 and 15, and a third bogey at 16. It was that sort of day for Fleetwood, but it might be the key to his performance this week. When the championship might have slipped away, Fleetwood held firm. He’ll tee off with Harman in Saturday’s final game, and he’ll look to remain near the top, in advance of Sunday’s conclusion.

From 59 feet…

Fist pump from Fleetwood.

Tommy knows the importance of that putt. pic.twitter.com/gZnS89rmR6

— The Open (@TheOpen) July 21, 2023

4. S’up, Sepp?

The fellow who gave us Thursday’s most linksy shot, gave us Friday’s most electrifying run of golf. Sepp Straka, winner two weeks ago at the John Deere Classic, made eight birdies on day two at Royal Liverpool. He opened with a three at the first, and closed with a four at the last. Straka had a double bogey on the third, another birdie at the fifth, and a bogey at the eighth. Beginning with the twelfth hole, the Austrian-turned-Southerner departed the planet Par. He posted four consecutive birdies to the 16th tee, where he got a bid sideways with the driver. His recovery avoided the front-left bunker, and his pitch settled inside eight feet. His par putt went adrift, and he made his second bogey of the round. Undeterred, the genial one found safe passage aboard the 17th green, and drained a 24-foot putt for deuce. Playing the last as a three-shot hole, Straka dropped another, mid-length putt from 18 feet for his final birdie of the day.

Straka owns a pair of titles on the PGA Tour. There’s no reason he should challenge for this one, but we’ve seen less likely candidates rise to the top of the podium, as Champion Golfer of the Year. One thing is for sure: if Straka keeps making buckets of birdies, he’ll be fun to watch.

Six birdies in his final seven holes.

It's a run that has pushed Sepp Straka from outside the top 30 to inside the top three.https://t.co/YqSSqBALRQ pic.twitter.com/D3cK113tiS

— The Open (@TheOpen) July 21, 2023

5. How will it end?

If Brian Harman continues to play mid-60s golf, the 2023 Open Championship will be remembered as a one-man show. We’ve seen events like that before, but not at a major since 2000 at Pebble Beach. More likely is a par round from Harman along the way, and a few surges from the weekend chasers. In the past, we’ve predicted only winners, but we’re going to elaborate a bit more, for your and our entertainment. On Saturday, Harman will not have his best game, but he will navigate the links of Hoylake in 72 shots. His one-over round of golf will fix him at nine-deep, heading into Sunday. He’ll still be among the top five, and will most likely again play in the day’s final game. Fleetwood will play one-under golf, and be at six-under on Saturday night.

Closing in to join Harman in Sunday’s last pairing will be Min Woo Lee. The Australian has designs on joining his sister as a major champion, and he has been in the mix in enough grand slam events to know how to play a round of golf in the heat of the moment. We’ll see a 66 from Rory, and that will bring him into the penultimate pairing with Fleetwood. All in all, Saturday will set the stage for an unforgettable Sunday.

The best shots from Friday morning. pic.twitter.com/4x2SNUkrme

— The Open (@TheOpen) July 21, 2023

Tour Photo Galleries

Photos from the 2026 Memorial Tournament

Published

16 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

1 day 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