News

Morning 9: Villegas a winner again | Homa victorious at Nedbank | Ko ends poor season early

Published

3 years ago

Nov 13, 2023

Ben Alberstadt

By Ben Alberstadt with Gianni Magliocco.

For comments: [email protected]

Good Monday morning, golf fans, as Camilo Villegas returned to the winner’s circle on Sunday at the Butterfield Bermuda Championship.

1. Camilo concludes 9-year drought

Golfweek’s Adam Woodard…”After a grueling 3,374 days, Camilo Villegas is once again a winner on the PGA Tour.”

“The 41-year-old shot a 6-under 65 in the final round on Sunday at Port Royal Golf Course in Southampton, Bermuda, to win the 2023 Butterfield Bermuda Championship at 24 under by two shots over Alex Noren (68). The win is the fifth of Villegas’ PGA Tour career and first since the 2014 Wyndham Championship.”

“Entering the week Villegas had missed seven cuts across 11 starts on Tour this season but did earn a T-2 at last week’s 2023 World Wide Technology Championship in Mexico.”

Full piece.

2. Homa wins in South Africa

AP report…”Homa shot a 6-under 66 to win the Nedbank Golf Challenge in South Africa on Sunday for his first win abroad.”

“Homa finished at 19 under for the tournament, four shots ahead of Nicolai Hojgaard to add to his six PGA TOUR career titles.”

“Homa secured the win with a final round that included six birdies, an eagle and two bogeys. He pulled away at the top after consecutive birdies on the 15th and 16th holes, where he drained a 38-footer on the par 3.”

Full piece.

3. Alker wins Schwab Cup

AP report…” Steven Alker had to get up-and-down for par on the last three holes for a 1-under 70 that allowed him to hang on and win the Charles Schwab Cup Championship on Sunday and a payoff of just over $1 million.”

“Alker won the Schwab Cup a year ago. This time he did the next best thing.”

“Steve Stricker clinched the season points list before the postseason began. By winning at Phoenix Country Club, Alker finished second in the Schwab Cup for a $500,000 bonus. The 52-year-old from New Zealand won $528,000 for the tournament, his seventh title on the PGA Tour Champions.”

Full piece.

4. Lilia Vu takes The Annika

AP report…”Lilia Vu seized momentum early with three birdies and closed with a 4-under 66 to win The Annika on Sunday for her fourth victory of 2023, allowing the American to regain the No. 1 ranking in the race for LPGA player of the year.”

“Vu started the final round at Pelican Golf Club 3 shots behind Emily Kristine Pedersen, opened with three birdies in six holes and then pulled away with crisp approach shots that set up back-to-back birdies to pull away.”

Full piece.

5. “He’s moving stuff!” Rule face-off at Hong Kong Open

Golf Channel’s Brentey Romine…”It took a minute or so for Khongwatmai to locate his Callaway ball. Upon finding it, and with a rules official watching, Khongwatmai and his caddie worked to remove a large, dead tree branch from his intended area of play and later a smaller branch closer to the ball. This took about 15 minutes, as Campbell repeatedly argued that Khongwatmai and his caddie were breaking and moving other foliage while extracting the dead stuff.”

“He’s moving stuff all around it!” Campbell yelled, motioning toward a big clump of green vines in front of Khongwatmai’s ball. “How is this green? This is obviously living.”

“Campbell eventually says, “I think we’re going to need to get another official.”

“At that point, Khongwatmai claps back at Campbell and Smith: “You guys happy? If you’re not happy I’m not going to do it.”

“As Khongwatmai and his caddie continued to trudge around in the brush, there were several sounds of what appeared to be branches and such snapping and crunching, causing Campbell to again yell, “He’s just broken those branches there!”

Full piece.

6. Ogletree to return to LIV

Matt Cradock for Golf Monthly…”Along with the New Zealander, there was also success for Andy Ogletree, who has booked his spot on the 2024 LIV Golf League.”

“The American, who infamously played in the first LIV Golf tournament at Centurion in 2022 and finished dead last, was dropped from the circuit for that year and was left without anywhere to play. However, the 25-year-old found his place on the Asian Tour and, after a run of excellent results, he finds himself top of the International Series Order of Merit and back with full playing rights on the LIV Golf circuit for 2024.“

Full piece.

7. McIlroy wins Race to Dubai (prior to DP World Tour Championship)

Jimmy Reinman for PGATour.com…”Rory McIlroy is the DP World Tour’s Race to Dubai champion once again. McIlroy’s fifth season-long Race to Dubai title was awarded on points Sunday at the Nedbank Golf Challenge in South Africa after Max Homa secured his first international victory.”

“Homa’s win set the stage for McIlroy, 34, to claim his fifth European season-long championship, ensuring that the world No. 2 Northern Irishman cannot be caught by Jon Rahm, who ranks No. 2 on the Race to Dubai into next week’s season-ending DP World Tour Championship.”

Full Piece.

8. Ko ends season early

Beth Ann Nichols for Golfweek…”Lydia Ko’s 10th season on the LPGA has come to an end. The woman who swept the postseason awards last year at the CME Group Tour Championship won’t be in the field to defend her title in Naples, Florida. The former phenom’s glorious comeback campaign flamed out in 2023.”

“For all the out-of-the-blue success stories on the LPGA this year, Ko’s struggles are by far the most shocking development. Winless on the LPGA this season, Ko finished 101st on the CME points list. While the top 100 keep their fulls cards for next year, Ko can use her winner’s status to get into plenty of events next year.”

Full Piece.

9. Winning WITB: Camilo Villegas

Driver: Titleist TSi3 (11 degrees, C1 SureFit setting)

Shaft: Project X HZRDUS Smoke Yellow 60 6.0

3-wood: TaylorMade M4 (16.5 degrees)

Shaft: Project X HZRDUS Smoke Red RDX 75 6.0

5-wood: TaylorMade M2 (21 degrees)

Shaft: Project X HZRDUS Yellow 75 6.0

Hybrid: Titleist TSi2 (5, 24 degrees)

Shaft: Project X HZRDUS Black 105 6.5

Irons: Srixon ZX5 Mk II (4, 5), Srixon ZX7 Mk II (6-PW)

Shafts: Project X 6.5

Wedges: Titleist Vokey Design SM9 (54-08M, 60-08M)

Shafts: Project X 6.5

Putter: L.A.B. Golf Mezz.1 Max

Grip: SuperStroke 3.0 17

Grips: Custom Golf Pride MCC

Ball: Titleist Pro V1x

Full WITB.

Tour Photo Galleries

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

Published

1 hour 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

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