News

Morning 9: Poston on 18th hole blowup | Mickelson on the attack | Wyndham seals Ryder Cup berth

Published

3 years ago

Aug 1, 2023

GolfWRX Staff

By Ben Alberstadt with Gianni Magliocco.

For comments: [email protected]

Good Tuesday morning, golf fans, as we gear up for the Wyndham Championship where players will have one last chance to punch their ticket to the playoffs.

1. “Not out here to finish 2nd”

Yahoo’s Jay Busbee…”J.T. Poston, a two-time winner on the PGA Tour, stepped to the final tee on Sunday three strokes behind Hodges, but three strokes ahead of the next-closest competitors. All Poston needed was a double bogey on the hole and he would claim solo second place in the tournament, along with its tidy paycheck of $850,200. Not bad for a week’s work.”

“Poston’s tee shot ended up close to the water, and there, his troubles began…Poston was 213 yards from the pin, with an awkward lie, but rather than try to work his way around the dogleg-right hole, he opted to go big … and, as you can see from the position of the number 2 there, sent his approach shot to a watery grave…”

“After taking the penalty stroke, Poston laid up to 98 yards. But his second attempt at an approach again came up short, and once he did get onto the green, he missed a five-footer that would have given him that precious double-bogey…”

“So rather than taking home $850,200 all for himself, Poston had to settle for a “mere” $590,200, one-third of the total prize pool of second, third and fourth places…”

“Poston, for his part, took the aggressive approach once again on Twitter: “Not out here to finish 2nd,” he wrote. “Trying to win. Would make that decision 10 times out of 10 under circumstances.”

Full piece.

2. Mickelson on the attack

Our Matt Vincenzi…”Over the weekend, “The Fried Egg” published a piece titled “Memo Szn” that discussed the memo that Jay Monahan sent to the players on Wednesday that discussed the proposed agreement with the Saudi PIF…”

“Andy Johnson of The Fried Egg weighed in on what that might look like.”

“Players who publicly and loudly went after the PGA Tour and participated in the lawsuit against it will likely be given no favors. Think Pat Perez, Talor Gooch, and Phil Mickelson. Those who left gracefully without parting shots at the Tour like Brooks Koepka, Cam Smith and Dustin Johnson will likely be welcomed back with fewer penalties. Overall, expect a lot of LIV players to be forced to earn back their card through Q-School or the Korn Ferry Tour if they want to play on the PGA Tour again.”

“That quote was shared on Twitter by user Andrew Kirby, who expressed doubts that any punishment would be given.”

“Phil Mickelson replied to Kirby’s tweet, saying that “not a single player on LIV wants to play PGA Tour.”

“What a colossal waste of time.Not a single player on LIV wants to play PGA Tour. It would require a public apology and restitution to LIV players for paying millions to Clout media to disparage all of us. A better topic is future sanctions for the many players who now come to LIV”.

Full piece.

3. Welcome, Wyndham

Adam Woodard for Golfweek…”Wyndham Clark’s breakout year on the PGA Tour has now officially earned him a spot on the 2023 Ryder Cup team.”

“The 2023 U.S. Open champion will represent the red, white and blue when the Americans take on the Europeans in the biennial bash at Marco Simone Golf and Country Club near Rome, Italy, Oct. 29-Sept. 1, and joins world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler as the first two players to qualify for Team USA.”

Full piece.

4. Porthcawl proven?

Elliott Heath for Golf Monthly…”Players were faced with ‘brutal’ conditions where strong winds and constant rain caused havoc, and lots of bogeys, with two-time Major winner Justin Thomas tweeting how he was enjoying the “absolute carnage.”

“He’s right, it was fun to watch. It wasn’t a birdie-fest in picture-perfect weather, it was a true ‘last man standing’ kind of grind in a style of golf that the game’s foundations were built on.”

…”The weekend at Porthcawl was, bizarrely, a brilliant advert for links golf. Any other style of golf and the course would have been flooded, greens unplayable and the action called off.”

Full piece.

5. Nelly’s surprising equipment switch

Our Matt Vincenzi…”LPGA superstar Nelly Korda made a notable equipment change during the Evian Championship…Despite having a full bag deal with TaylorMade, the 25-year-old played with a Titleist driver on Saturday.”

“Korda had a great deal of success with the Titleist TSR1 in the past but signed with TaylorMade back in January. When she put the Titleist TSR1 back in play early Saturday morning, she shot a 64, which was the low round of the day.”

Full piece.

6. LPGA pro on slow play penalty

Our Matt Vincenzi…”During the second round of the Amundi Evian Championship, Carlota Ciganda was issued a two-shot penalty for breaching the LPGA Tour’s Pace of Play Policy. After the round, Ciganda appealed the penalty, but it was upheld.”

“In response to the decision, the Spaniard intentionally signed an incorrect scorecard (71 instead of 73), refusing to accept the penalty. She knew it would get her disqualified but did so anyway.”

“Clearly frustrated with how the situation played out, Ciganda posted to her Instagram story over the weekend explaining her version of what happened.”

“I got a few messages about the DQ from yesterday. I want to be very clear and the reason I did not sign a 7 on the last hole is because I don’t think I took 52 seconds like the Rules Official said. I had a 10 footer on the last hole, last put [sic] and the group behind they were not even on the tee on a par 5. Very poor performance from the LPGA rules official, they don’t understand what professional golf is about, they only look at their stopwatch like if 20 seconds is going to make a difference. I had family and friends watching and they all said it was impossible I took that long to hit that putt!

“Yesterday was tough out there with windy conditions and difficult pins and I wish everyone gets treated the same and they don’t pick on the same players all the time! That’s all!”

Full piece.

7. Cink named as vice-captain

Ed Carruthers for Golf Monthly…”Stewart Cink had been named as the US Team’s fifth vice captain for the 2023 Ryder Cup.”

“The announcement was made by captain Zach Johnson on Monday and will be the first time that the American will attend the tournament in a leadership capacity. “

“Cink played in five consecutive Ryder Cup teams between 2002 to 2010 and boasts a record of 5-7-7 having won the biennial event just once at Valhalla Golf Club in 2008.”

Full piece.

8. These guys are competitive

Cameron DaSilva for Golfweek…”Los Angeles Rams linebacker Ernest Jones said this offseason that he’s become obsessed with golf, spending a lot of time on the course during the summer when the Rams were off. He’s not going to quit his day job of patrolling the middle of the defense any time soon, but his golf game is coming along.”

“Eventually, he wants to put himself to the test against one of the best pro athletes to tee it up: Warrior guard Steph Curry.“

“Curry just won the American Century Championship this summer in dramatic fashion and has played in Korn Ferry Tour events in the past, but Jones is confident he can take down the smooth-swinging Steph at some point.”

Full Piece.

9. Oh boy

Someone is in trouble.

Tour Photo Galleries

Photos from the 2026 U.S. Women’s Open

Published

8 hours ago

Jun 3, 2026

GolfWRX Staff

GolfWRX Tour Photographer made the trip from the Memorial Tournament across the country to the U.S. Women’s Open at Riviera. Check out links to all the photos below!

General Albums

WITB Albums

Pullout Albums

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

3 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