News

Morning 9: LIV pursue guaranteed Open spots | Morikawa’s secret putting tweak | LIV pros could play TGL series?

Published

3 years ago

Oct 24, 2023

Ben Alberstadt

By Ben Alberstadt with Gianni Magliocco.

For comments: [email protected]

Good Tuesday morning, golf fans, as the PGA Tour takes a rare week off from action.

1. DPWRT eligibility expansion

Golf Channel’s Brentley Romine…”Starting next year, PGA Tour players who finish the season ranked outside the top 125 in the FedExCup standings will have playing opportunities across the pond.”

“The DP World Tour announced the eligibility changes on Monday as for the first time it will offer full membership to Nos. 126-200 in final FedExCup points. Also, non-members can earn points with the chance of turning that into affiliate and then full membership.”

“For the Nos. 126-200 group, those players will play out of the newly created Category 12. It’s worth noting that players eligible via this category must take up membership by Nov. 22 if they want to compete in the late-2023 portion of the 2024 schedule, and only five players can play out of Category 12 per tournament.”

“As for the non-members points list, those non-members can take up affiliate membership after the fourth non-major DPWT start…”

Full piece.

2. Report: LIV in pursuit of guaranteed major spots

Our Matt Vincenzi…”LIV Golf recently received bad news that they would not be receiving OWGR points in the foreseeable future, making entry to the four major championships for so many of their professionals nearly impossible.”

“However, according to James Corrigan of The Telegraph, LIV Golf is in discussions with the R&A to ensure LIV players will be granted spots in the Open Championship.”

“Last week, the OWGR denied the application from LIV to receive world ranking points for their tournaments, leaving the pathway for LIV golfers to get in major championships in serious doubt…”

“With only five LIV golfers exempt into all four majors next year, there is clearly a sense of urgency for LIV officials to find a way to get their stars into golf’s biggest events.”

Full piece.

3. Next 10 update

Golf Channel’s Brentley Romine…”Among the 11 players who finished top 10 or better at the Zozo Championship, three of them, including Sunday’s winner Collin Morikawa, ended the FedExCup Playoffs ranked in the top 50 in points. Another four of them were non-members, leaving four guys to make significant leaps with just three events left in the PGA Tour’s new FedExCup Fall.”

“For Morikawa and runner-up Eric Cole, they’ve already locked up spots in every signature event for 2024 via the FedExCup top 50. However, Nos. 51 and beyond in points are still playing for improved status next season. Nos. 51-60 after the fall will get into the first two signature events following The Sentry, the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am (Feb. 1-4) and Genesis Invitational (Feb. 15-18). Perhaps more importantly, players inside the top 125 will retain their full cards while Nos. 126-150 will get conditional status for 2024.”

“In Japan, the other runner-up, Beau Hossler, extended his cushion as No. 51 – he’s now nearly 240 points ahead of No. 52 Taylor Montgomery and has all but clinched his Next 10 spot – while J.J. Spaun reentered the top 60.”

Full piece.

4. Morikawa’s secret putting tweak

Golfweek’s Adam Schupak…”Morikawa and his caddie JJ Jakovac found something that propelled him to one of his best putting weeks of the season and on Sunday when it mattered most, he couldn’t miss.”

“So, what did he find just hours before the tournament began that was the difference in helping him win for the first time on the PGA Tour since the 2021 British Open?”

“Yeah, yeah, we found something and we’re going to stick to it,” he said. “Look, you never know whether it’s going to be right or wrong, but something was off. Something I just couldn’t figure out. JJ and I were just looking at each other very confused and trying a bunch of different things. You know, we weren’t changing too much, we were just trying to look at putts a different way.

“We stuck to it. It was nice to see putts roll in in the first round, and then that continued. Yeah, made a lot of putts this week, it was really nice.”

Full piece.

5. Lindblad passes on Q-Series

Golf Channel’s Brentley Romine…”Despite topping the field by four shots Friday at Stage II of LPGA Q-School, Ingrid Lindblad’s qualifying journey is over.”

“The LSU fifth-year senior won’t be teeing it up in the six-round Q-Series, which begins Nov. 30 in Mobile, Alabama, because she plans on finishing her last semester of eligibility with the Tigers. LPGA rules, changed last year, stipulate that players must turn pro in order to chase an LPGA card via Q-Series, and if players choose to remain amateur, they are afforded the opportunity to defer the Epson Tour status that they’ve earned by advancing through second stage.”

Full piece.

6. 15-year-old Bermuda champ qualifier

Golfweek’s Todd Kelly…”Oliver Betschart, 15, will be the youngest golfer to tee it up on the PGA Tour since 2014 when he competes in the Butterfield Bermuda Championship in November.”

“The phenom, who lives in Bermuda, qualified for the tournament last week. He was one of three players to make it through qualifying.”

“A year ago, Betschart became the youngest to win the Port Royal Golf Club Championship. This year, he was 3-over in the 54-hole local qualifier, which was won by Eric West.”

Full piece.

7. Berkshire, by the thinnest of margins

Golf Digest’s Alex Myers…”The sport of long drive doesn’t usually bring to mind the phrase “It’s a game of inches,” but that’s exactly what it turned out to be for Kyle Berkshire on Sunday. Twice.”

“The long-haired bomber won a third career World Long Drive Championship, and this time he did it by the smallest of margins.”

“Berkshire’s best effort of 398 yards in the finals was good enough to defeat Sean Johnson by one yard. And in the quarterfinal, his sixth and final attempt barely stayed in the grid to produce a 432-yard poke that allowed him to advance past Justin James…”

Full Piece.

8. Horschel defends new PGA Tour agreement

John Turnbull for Bunkered…”Billy Horschel has defended the DP World Tour after it announced new membership opportunities for next season.

“The initiative will offer PGA Tour players, ranked 126-200 on the FedEx Cup standings, full status on the DP World Tour for the following season.

“And the American, who features regularly outside of the US, has argued against the initiative stealing spots from other players.

“Horschel posted on X: “Another way to look at it. Ten players are leaving the DP World Tour to go play PGA Tour next year.

“So, that opens ten more spots that are usually taken. Five will be filled with Challenge Tour/Q School players and another five possibly with PGA Tour conditional members.

“I’m just showing another perspective to look at the situation. And quite possibly the correct perspective to look at the situation.”

Full Piece.

9. LIV pros could play in new TGL series?

Tom D’Angelo for the Palm Beach Post…”The TGL is doing what LIV Golf promises to do.”

“The virtual golf league, backed by Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy, has built a roster with PGA Tour players the quality LIV hoped to sign in the last year, and is still anticipating this offseason.

“Patrick Cantlay and Wyndham Clark highlighted the latest and final round of signings as TGL settles on 24 players. The league starts in January and will be played Monday nights on the Palm Beach State College campus in Palm Beach Gardens.

“LIV and TGL have completely different formats and schedules and are not competing for players. But the possibility of anyone committing to a league run by LIV detractors Woods and McIlroy and also signing with LIV is unknown.

“Even if TGL is in partnership with the PGA Tour and the Tour is working on an agreement with Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, which finances LIV, to merge business interests.

“From the LIV side, Gary Davidson, who served as LIV’s acting COO before Lawrence Burian was named to the position Monday, said last week he does not believe “there would be a conflict” if a golfer who joined TGL showed interest in LIV.”

Full Piece.

Tour Photo Galleries

Photos from the 2026 Memorial Tournament

Published

1 day 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

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