News

Streelman has a ‘seriously’ good Sunday

Published

13 years ago

Mar 17, 2013

One can hypothesize as to why a casual golf fan might have missed the Tampa Bay Championship this past weekend. Sandwiched in a five-week run that features two WGC events and an invitational, the tournament featured only seven of the top-25 players in the world and neither of the dynamic Rory-Tiger duo. But despite the lack of top-ranked players, the highly regarded layout known as “the Copperhead Course” was witness to some top notch golf, and the first victory of 34-year-old Kevin Streelman’s career.

The journeyman, who turned pro in 2001 and was to-date perhaps best known for being the charismatic pitchman in the Wilson Staff “seriously” ads, or the answer to a couple of PGA Tour trivia questions as the inaugural winner of the now-defunct Kodak Challenge, or as the man who led after the first round of Tiger Woods’ last major win (2008 U.S. Open), can now add the title of PGA Tour champion and the exemptions that come along with it.

See Kevin’s winning WITB “What’s In The Bag” Photos here

It did not come easy for Streelman, who was making his 153rd career start. Prior to this, his best result on Tour had been a tie for third, which he had done three times and none coming since 2010. The Copperhead Course at Innisbrook has been one of the most respected layouts on Tour since its debut. This year, it yielded a cut line on the wrong side of par and the second-highest winning score thus far in 2013. But beyond the doglegs, water hazards and conveniently named finishing stretch “The Snake Pit,” there was of course also the other players to contend with too.

On Sunday morning, seven players woke up within one shot of the lead, with Streelman being in a three-way tie at the top. But the first noise of the day came from a man who started at even par, and lit up the Tampa course to the sounds of “Boos.” Boo Weekley, a former Ryder Cupper and fan favorite, displayed on Sunday the form that allowed him to win on Tour in consecutive years back in 2007 and 2008. Perhaps tipping the scales at a bit more these days, and certainly with a bit of a grayer beard that had him resembling famous TV’s “CSI” Gil Grissom, Weekley certainly had the Copperhead Course analyzed and solved. After going out in 33, Weekley promptly birdied five of his next seven holes and finished with an 8-under 63, the lowest round of the day by three shots, and led into the clubhouse with the leaders only beginning their rounds. This led to a mixed reaction from Weekley, who in trademark Boo fashion, remarked that he’d now have to cancel his afternoon fishing trip.

Good thing he waited around, as for a while it appeared no one would be able to make a move. Justin Leonard, who was also experiencing a turn-back-the-clock moment, got close with his usual brand of steady golf, but four bogeys on the back nine ended his pursuit. The Tour youngster and emerging star, Jordan Spieth, also threw his hat into the ring early on with three birdies in his first eight holes. However, a heartbreaking tugged short putt on No. 9 for par deflated his charge.

That left Streelman and 25-year-old Cameron Tringale as the only challengers who could make Weekley wish he’d just gone fishing. Streelman was up to the task. After moseying along with nine straight pars, Streelman came to the very difficult par-3 No. 13 and its back-right pin position. It’s there that Streelman would hit what he later called the best shot of his career, sticking it close and making the birdie as the announcers appropriately said “seriously.” His beautiful iron shot to the risky pin position on the long hole now gave him a one-shot lead as he approached the venomous “Snake Pit” finish looking for his first PGA title. Streelman would not falter, confidently hitting a booming drive on the dangerous No. 16, and looked like a man ready to take home the trophy. And after another perfect iron shot on yet another difficult long par-3 No. 17, he would make another birdie that essentially sealed his victory.

It probably did not feel like a formality for Streelman, but he crushed his drive into the fairway and made a par on No. 18, to give himself a bogey-free round of 67 and most importantly, the win. And with that, Streelmanis no longer the answer to a trivia question, no longer the guy Tiger Woods admitted to not knowing before their Buick Invitational round in 2008. Streelman has made it. He is a Tour champion. Seriously.

Tour Photo Galleries

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

Published

6 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