Tour News
Stacy Lewis’ climb to the top
As if a simple thing like a two-stroke penalty would be enough to derail the Lewis Express at the recent RR Donnelly LPGA Founders Cup.
When you are 11 and they tell you that your spine isn’t straight, two-stroke penalties are manageable. When you undergo spinal fusion surgery to straighten your back, two-stroke penalties are a gift to the field. When you miss your freshman year of college golf at the University of Arkansas because of the surgery, two-stroke penalties are a slight hiccup along the march to the inevitable.
Stacy Lewis, history will remember, posted rounds of 68-65-68-64 for a total of 23-under 265. Her margin of victory over Ai Miyazato was three strokes. Paired with Miyazato during the final round, Lewis made up seven strokes on Sunday, including four during the stretch from Nos. 14 to 16.
History will easily forget the two-stroke penalty assessed to Lewis on Saturday, by way of her caddie, on No. 16. Lewis had forgotten about it after she left the press room that evening. The 28-year-old divulged that “in my mind, I shot a six-under par 66” during the third round, revealing precisely how focused she was on her goals each and every day.
History will show that Stacy Lewis won the Founders Cup on Sunday, that she replaced Yani Tseng as the top-ranked professional female golfer in the world and that she established herself as the pre-eminent golfer from the USA in her generation. It will not record that she demonstrated unwavering faith in her caddie and herself. That is left to us to communicate to golfers and fans yet to come.
Stacy Lewis tied for 15th place at the season-opening Australian Open. She tied for third place at the next tour event, in Thailand. Two weeks ago, she won the HSBC Women’s Champions event in Singapore. She’s on a hot streak of sorts, one that might last a year or two. There’s something about the LPGA that breeds long-term success. Ask Yani Tseng, unstoppable from 2009 to 2011.
It was appropriate that Lewis ascended to the No. 1 worldwide ranking at the Founders Cup. The FC defined the new LPGA when Mike Whan convinced the players that:
- They should play an event without receiving prize money;
- All “winnings” would be donated to charity to honor the founding members of the tour; and
- The event would have real prize money from year two on.
It was proper that Stacy Lewis addressed the two-stroke penalty clearly, in a finite manner. For those who missed the news, her caddie descended into a fairway bunker and was apparently observed swiveling his foot by a television viewer (Don’t get me started on those rules call-ins). After reviewing the tape with tour officials and before she signed her card, Lewis assessed herself a two-stroke penalty for testing the conditions of a hazard.
Testing the conditions of a sandy hazard is a funny thing. As a golfer takes her stance, she is allowed to dig in, essentially revealing the firmness of the sand from which she will play. For a fairway bunker shot, wherein the golfer contacts the ball first, this is a moot point. For an explosion shot, the quality of sand matters more. In Lewis’ case, about 60 yards out on a short par four, she was in the nether region of explosion versus ball-first.
A germane lesson emerges from this ordeal. In an era when referees are accosted by players and every play is subject to review ad infinitum, golf stands like a beacon for self-governance and integrity. Much as tennis players trust one another’s in and out calls, so do tournament competitors rely on the honesty and forthrightness of their fellow contestants. The golfer that intentionally skirts the rules does not last long in tournament play. The caddie that foozles the ball toward an improved situation is branded a cheat and routinely punished through dismissal.
As Lewis greeted the media on Sunday, she thanked the unknown caller for giving ample motivation to play her best and she paused to consider how far she had come from such an unpredictable place.
“People with metal in their back, how do you play golf…”
As though she had not just earned a top ranking but also assumed the mantel of authority among the players, she paused further and concluded:
“We have majors coming up, Solheim, and so much more to play for and I’m just excited about the rest of the year more than anything. I’m having a blast on the golf course, and to be No. 1 in the world, it’s what everybody out here on Tour is working for and to be that person is, I mean, I really don’t even know what to say.”
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Tour Photo Galleries
Photos from the 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
GolfWRX is on site this week in McKinney, Texas, at the 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson (FKA the AT&T Byron Nelson).
Last year at TPC Craig Ranch, Jason Day ended a five-year winless streak. J-Day is in the field again, as are Jordan Spieth, Tom Kim, and Will Zalatoris.
We have our usual assortment of general galleries, WITBs, and pullout albums for your perusal. As always, we’ll continue to add links to additional albums as they make their way to us from the Lone Star State.
Check out links to all our photos below.
General Albums
- 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson – Monday #1
- 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson – Monday #2
- 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson – Tuesday #1
- 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson – Tuesday #2
- 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson – Tuesday #3
WITB Albums
- Pierceson Coody – WITB – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- Kris Kim – WITB – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- David Nyfjall – WITB – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- Adrien Dumont de Chassart – WITB – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- Jarred Jetter – North Texas PGA Section Champ – WITB – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- Richy Werenski – WITB – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- Wesley Bryan – WITB – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- Parker Coody – WITB – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- Peter Kuest – WITB – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- Blaine Hale, Jr. – WITB – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- Kelly Kraft – WITB – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- Rico Hoey – WITB – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
Pullout Albums
- Adam Scott’s 2 new custom L.A.B. Golf putters – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- Scotty Cameron putters – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- Ben Griffin playing Maxfli golf ball
See what GolfWRXers are saying in the forums.
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Tour Photo Galleries
Photos from the 2024 Zurich Classic of New Orleans
GolfWRX is live on site this week at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans for the PGA Tour’s one-and-only two-man team event.
As usual, general galleries, WITBs, and pullout albums — including some pretty spicy custom putters and headcovers — await your viewing.
Be sure to check back for more photos from the Big Easy, as we’ll continue to update this page with additional galleries throughout the week.
General Albums
- 2024 Zurich Classic – Monday #1
- 2024 Zurich Classic – Monday #2
- 2024 Zurich Classic – Tuesday #1
- 2024 Zurich Classic – Tuesday #2
WITB Albums
- Alex Fitzpatrick – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Austin Cook – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Alejandro Tosti – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Davis Riley – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- MJ Daffue – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Nate Lashley – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- James Nicholas – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Kevin Streelman – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Rasmus Hojgaard – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Tom Whitney – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- SangMoon Bae – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Daniel Berger – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Rory McIlroy – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Russ Cochrane – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Aldrich Potgieter – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Steve Stricker WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Drew Brees WITB (Legendary New Orleans Saints QB) – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Derek Carr (New Orleans Saints QB) – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Thriston Lawrence WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
Pullout Albums
- MJ Daffue’s custom Cameron putter – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Cameron putters – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Swag covers ( a few custom for Nick Hardy) – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Custom Bettinardi covers for Matt and Alex Fitzpatrick – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Doug Ghim’s custom Cameron putter – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Patrick Cantlay spotted testing a Scotty Cameron blade putter – 2024 Zurich Classic
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Tour Photo Galleries
Photos from the 2024 RBC Heritage
GolfWRX is on site this week at Harbour Town Golf Links on Hilton Head Island for the RBC Heritage. Plenty of golfers who competed in the Masters last week will be making the quick turnaround in the Lowcountry of South Carolina as the Heritage is again one of the Tour’s Signature Events.
We have general albums for you to check out, as well as plenty of WITBs — including Justin Thomas and Justin Rose.
We’ll continue to update as more photos flow in from SC.
Check out links to all our photos, below.
General Albums
- 2024 RBC Heritage – Monday #1
- 2024 RBC Heritage – Monday #2
- 2024 RBC Heritage – Tuesday #1
- 2024 RBC Heritage – Tuesday #2
WITB Albums
- Justin Thomas – WITB – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Justin Rose – WITB – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Chandler Phillips – WITB – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Nick Dunlap – WITB – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Thomas Detry – WITB – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Austin Eckroat – WITB – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Xander Schauffele – WITB – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Jason Day – WITB – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Will Zalatoris – WITB – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Patrick Cantlay – WITB – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Ludvig Aberg – WITB – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Collin Morikawa – WITB – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Sam Burns – WITB – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Stephen Jaeger – WITB – 2024 RBC Heritage
Pullout Albums
- Wyndham Clark’s Odyssey putter – 2024 RBC Heritage
- JT’s new Cameron putter – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Justin Thomas testing new Titleist 2 wood – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Cameron putters – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Odyssey putter with triple track alignment aid – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Scotty Cameron The Blk Box putting alignment aid/training aid – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Cameron putter – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Odyssey Ai One Eleven T putters – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Christian Bezuidenhout – testing new Callaway Ti 340 mini driver – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Rory McIlroy testing the new TaylorMade BRNR Mini Driver Copper – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Xander Schauffele testing the Callaway Ti 340 mini driver & the DUW – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Byeong Hun An, two new L.A.B. Golf putter builds with “T” alignment – 2024 RBC Heritage
See what GolfWRXers are saying and join the discussion in the forums.
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Ronald Montesano
Mar 19, 2013 at 12:47 pm
Could not agree more…not that I want the other golfers to roll over and give it away.
Dave Andrews
Mar 19, 2013 at 8:01 am
Stacy Lewis is the best story in golf so far this year. With all that she has been through she is a classic example of determination, perseverance,and just plain guts. She definitely is worthy of the title of the best woman golfer in the world. Congrats to her!