Tour News
Tiger eyes No. 8 at Bay Hill
Throughout Tiger Woods’ career, his late father Earl got his attention on the golf course by calling him “Sam.”
“He rarely ever called me Tiger,” Woods said. “I would ask him, ‘Why don’t you ever call me Tiger?’ He’d say, “Well, you look more like a Sam.”
With a victory at the Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by MasterCard this weekend, Woods won’t just look like a Sam; he would will join “Slammin’ Sammy” Snead in the record books as the only other golfer to win a tournament eight times.
Snead set the record at the Greater Greensboro Open, which he won in 1938, 1946, 1949, 1950, 1955, 1956, 1960 and 1965. Tiger’s seven career wins at Bay Hill (2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2008, 2009 and 2012) are highlighted by a compelling 3.86 stroke average margin of victory, and he’s a collective 108-under par in 15 professional starts at the Arnold Palmer Invitational.
Since firing an energized Bay Hill final-round 70 in difficult conditions last year, Tiger’s won four more times, including two wins in his last four events this season. And Woods’ incomparable 17th World Golf Championship title at the WGC-Cadillac Championship at Doral two weeks ago showcased a predatory Tiger — not the injured Tiger, not the frustrated Tiger commonly on display during his 923 day winless drought.
Tiger is ranked first in scoring average, second in birdies average, and sixth in strokes-gained-putting through fourTour events in 2013. His ball striking has been pure, distance control dialed in, and maybe most importantly Tiger’s short game magic has returned. However, Woods better be firing on all cylinders if he plans on walking off No. 18 green Sunday evening to shake Arnold Palmer’s hand and receive his eighth plaid jacket.
Bay Hill is one of the premier tests on Tour. And its three closing holes give players nightmares. “Arnie’s Place” sets up more than 7,400 yards with thick Bermuda grass that punishes errant tee shots. Par-5 scoring and greens-in-regulation will be crucial for whoever wins — especially with the putting surfaces being so tough to hold.
Headliners in the field include nine of the top-15 players in the Official World Golf Rankings, seven of the top-10 in the current FedExCup Standings (as well as 24 of the top-30), and nine previous Arnold Palmer Invitational champions. Three reigning major champions are also teeing it up at Bay Hill, including Masters winner Bubba Watson, Open Championship winner Ernie Els and U.S. Open winner Webb Simpson.
And world No. 4 Justin Rose (who hasn’t finished outside the top-15 on the PGA or European Tour for seven months and running), No. 10 Phil Mickelson (with a win at the Phoenix Open earlier this season and two top-5 finishes in two of his last four events), and a hot Sergio Garcia are all looking for strong performances heading into Augusta.
Current FedExCup leader Brandt Snedeker returns to action for the first time since winning the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am in February. He’s been sidelined five weeks with a rib muscle strain.
“I’m excited to be back out,” Snedeker said. “My golf game feels kinda where it was [Pebble Beach]. So I’m excited to see what this week holds.”
Snedeker has seven top-10 finishes in his last 11 events dating back to last year, including two wins and three runner-ups. However Snedeker finished 63rd here last year, and missed the cut in 2011.
Graeme McDowell was gracious in defeat at Bay Hill last year saying,
“It was great to have a front-row seat watching maybe the greatest of all time doing what he does best – winning golf tournaments.”
But don’t believe for a moment McDowell wasn’t bitterly disappointed fading to a second place finish. The fiery Irishman has earned his reputation as a big time player who shines brightest when the spotlight burns hottest — he didn’t’ finish worse than 12th place in any major last year.
And with three top-10 finishes in four events this season, McDowell is playing very well again this year. He’s fifth in scoring average, second in driving accuracy and second in scrambling. McDowell would relish another Sunday showdown with Woods at Bay Hill.
Still, Bay Hill remains Tiger’s domain. And a 77th Tour title for Woods this weekend would ascend him past current No. 1 Rory McIlroy to the crowning point in the world rankings — the first time Woods would sit on this throne since October 2010.
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Tour Photo Galleries
Photos from the 2024 PGA Championship
GolfWRX is on site this week at Valhalla Golf Club in Louisville, Kentucky, for the PGA Championship.
While we see fewer equipment changes and new gear seeding at major championships, we get a look at custom gear and looks into the bags of players we rarely see, which is just as exciting. In the case of the PGA Championship, this means a look at the gear some of the PGA Professionals who qualified for the tournament will be gaming, and LIV players, such as Jon Rahm and Patrick Reed.
Check out links to all our albums from Valhalla below and check back throughout the week as we continue to update.
General Albums
WITB Albums
- Michael Block – WITB – 2024 PGA Championship
- Patrick Reed – WITB – 2024 PGA Championship
- Cam Smith – WITB – 2024 PGA Championship
- Brooks Koepka – WITB – 2024 PGA Championship
- Josh Speight – WITB – 2024 PGA Championship
- Takumi Kanaya – WITB – 2024 PGA Championship
- Kyle Mendoza – WITB – 2024 PGA Championship
- Adrian Meronk – WITB – 2024 PGA Championship
- Jordan Smith – WITB – 2024 PGA Championship
- Jeremy Wells – WITB – 2024 PGA Championship
- Jared Jones – WITB – 2024 PGA Championship
- John Somers – WITB – 2024 PGA Championship
- Larkin Gross – WITB – 2024 PGA Championship
- Tracy Phillips – WITB – 2024 PGA Championship
- Jon Rahm – WITB – 2024 PGA Championship
- Keita Nakajima – WITB – 2024 PGA Championship
- Kazuma Kobori – WITB – 2024 PGA Championship
- David Puig – WITB – 2024 PGA Championship
- Ryan Van Velzen – WITB – 2024 PGA Championship
- Brad Marek – WITB – 2024 PGA Championship
- Chris Gotterup – WITB – 2024 PGA Championship
- Rich Beem WITB – 2024 PGA Championship
- Phil Mickelson – WITB – 2024 PGA Championship
- Matt Dobyns – WITB – 2024 PGA Championship
- Lucas Herbert – WITB – 2024 PGA Championship
- Jason Dufner – WITB – 2024 PGA Championship
- John Daly – WITB – 2024 PGA Championship
- Taylor Gooch – WITB – 2024 PGA Championship
- Dean Burmester – WITB – 2024 PGA Championship
- Joaquin Niemann – WITB – 2024 PGA Championship
- Dustin Johnson – WITB – 2024 PGA Championship
Pullout Albums
- Ping putter covers – 2024 PGA Championship
- Bettinardi covers – 2024 PGA Championship
- Cameron putter covers – 2024 PGA Championship
- Max Homa – Titleist 2 wood – 2024 PGA Championship
- Scotty Cameron experimental putter shaft by UST – 2024 PGA Championship
- Joaquin Niemann – new Ping putter – 2024 PGA Championship
- Brooks Koepka’s new Cameron putter – 2024 PGA Championship
- Rickie Fowler’s Cobra bag and Aerojet driver – 2024 PGA Championship
- Super Stroke grip – 2024 PGA Championship
- Tiger Woods – 2024 PGA Championship
- Michael Block’s new TaylorMade “Proto” 7-iron, from address – 2024 PGA Championship
- Odyssey putter covers – 2024 PGA Championship
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News
Photos from the 2024 Wells Fargo Championship
GolfWRX is live this week at the Wells Fargo Championship as a field of the world’s best golfers descend upon Charlotte, North Carolina, hoping to tame the beast that is Quail Hollow Club in this Signature Event — only Scottie Scheffler, who is home awaiting the birth of his first child, is absent.
From the grounds at Quail Hollow, we have our usual assortment of general galleries and WITBs — including a look at left-hander Akshay Bhatia’s setup. Among the pullout albums, we have a look inside Cobra’s impressive new tour truck for you to check out. Also featured is a special look at Quail Hollow king, Rory McIlroy.
Be sure to check back throughout the week as we add more galleries.
General Albums
- 2024 Wells Fargo Championship – Monday #1
- 2024 Wells Fargo Championship – Tuesday #1
- 2024 Wells Fargo Championship – Tuesday #2
WITB Albums
- Akshay Bhatia – WITB – 2024 Wells Fargo Championship
- Matthieu Pavon – WITB – 2024 Wells Fargo Championship
- Keegan Bradley – WITB – 2024 Wells Fargo Championship
- Webb Simpson – WITB – 2024 Wells Fargo Championship
- Emiliano Grillo – WITB – 2024 Wells Fargo Championship
- Taylor Pendrith – WITB – 2024 Wells Fargo Championship
- Kevin Tway – WITB – 2024 Wells Fargo Championship
Pullout Albums
- New Cobra equipment truck – 2024 Wells Fargo Championship
- Rory McIlroy – 2024 Wells Fargo Championship
- New Cobra equipment truck – 2024 Wells Fargo Championship
- Eric Cole’s custom Cameron putter – 2024 Wells Fargo Championship
- Custom Cameron putter – 2024 Wells Fargo Championship
- Matt Kuchar’s custom Bettinardi – 2024 Wells Fargo Championship
- Justin Thomas – driver change – 2024 Wells Fargo Championship
- Rickie Fowler – putter change – 2024 Wells Fargo Championship
- Rickie Fowler’s new custom Odyssey Jailbird 380 putter – 2024 Wells Fargo Championship
- Tommy Fleetwood testing a TaylorMade Spider Tour X (with custom neck) – 2024 Wells Fargo Championship
- Cobra Darkspeed Volition driver – 2024 Wells Fargo Championship
See what GolfWRXers are saying about our Wells Fargo Championship photos in the forums.
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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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Chris
Mar 23, 2013 at 4:11 pm
Tiger will always be known for being a slime ball human being. Nothing he dows will rise above the pitiful lows he brought upon himself. Win or not he is a loser.
TWShoot67
Mar 21, 2013 at 9:52 pm
No doubt Tiger is a horses for courses type of player. But then again all the greats were as well. I just have to laugh @ GC analyst Brandel Chamblee. Once again when someone happens to have a single round better then Tiger, it’s a TIGER beating. You look at any contemporary players record an it’s a joke. When all these guys careers are over and 25,30, 50 years from now Justin Rose’s name will never be mentioned as one of the greats who played the game. Tiger’s name will be mentioned. People still don’t realize that these types of players ( Tiger,Jack, Ben,Byron, Sammy) only come around once in a great while. also with all that went on in Tiger’s life with injuries (not to mention personal). The only guy to come back after being so low would be in my opinion Ben Hogan. I just hope Tiger has one of his Tiger’esque years and then #1 in the world will just fall into place. I love seeing Tiger be pushed, it just shows how great he truly is!
Dozer
Mar 21, 2013 at 5:01 pm
Saw this on CBS Sports Eye On Golf. Glad I clicked on the link. Great intro… Sam Snead. Takes me back to playing golf with my Grandpa.
Troy Vayanos
Mar 21, 2013 at 3:23 pm
Tiger is a real ‘horses for courses’ golfer. When he wins and plays well at a golf course he’s every chance of winning there again.
I have no doubt he’ll be in contention at some stage on Sunday.
Pete Pappas
Mar 21, 2013 at 5:14 pm
And he’s notched seven wins at three other venues as well Troy – WGC-Bridgestone, WGC-Cadillac, and Farmers. “Horses for courses” and then some – Tiger’s the “Secretariat” of the Tour.
Tonsofsteel
Mar 20, 2013 at 1:45 pm
It’s gotta be Lindsay….
RLL
Mar 20, 2013 at 10:31 am
Good to see you back, Pete. Another nice article, and as always, you go at things with a unique perspective — in this case, talking about Sam Snead, who I’m amazed is sometimes even unknown to younger golfers and for some reason is not talked about as much as the others who are considered “maybe the greatest ever.” (He does still hold the record for the most victories ever on tour.) I got to see his gorgeous swing in person as a kid, and I’ve never forgotten it. No one — with the possible exception of Rory today when he’s on — has ever come close to his moves. I hope when Tiger passes him in victories that Slammin’ Sammy he gets more of his due for what he accomplished in golf.