News

Dustin Johnson expected to return at Farmers

Published

12 years ago

Nov 18, 2014

Dustin Johnson, who’s been on a leave of absence from the PGA Tour since July 31, is targeting the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines on Feb. 5-8, 2015 to make his return.

His fiancee Paulina Gretzky is pregnant with the couples’ first child, and the baby’s due date reportedly coincides with the Farmers Insurance Open, so his return to competition isn’t definite.

Johnson’s last appearance on tour was at the 2014 RBC Canadian Open where he missed the cut. Upon taking his leave of absence after that event, Johnson was ranked No. 16 according to the Official World Golf Ranking. He’s still ranked No. 16 as of Tuesday Nov. 18, so he hasn’t lost any ground, but he did miss out on the 2014 PGA Championship and the 2014 Ryder Cup.

How will the 30-year old play upon his return to competition? He shot a 61 at Sherwood Country Club in Thousand Oaks, Calif., breaking Tiger Woods’ course record on Oct. 28, so maybe he won’t be as rusty as we’d expect, but no one is immune to the sleepless nights and pressures of having their first child.

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Andrew Tursky

He played on the Hawaii Pacific University Men's Golf team and earned a Masters degree in Communications. He also played college golf at Rutgers University, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism.

17 Comments

Joel

Dec 1, 2014 at 2:01 am

Let the man snort lines off Paulina…I could care less. I just miss seeing the guy play. I’ve never understood the testing for recreational drugs, if someone thinks doing cocaine or smoking pot is anymore than a hindrance to competing at the professional level than someone clearly hasn’t partied much.

HGH or other PED’s…I could still care less but I understand that argument a touch more. I think everyone on tour should have to clear a bong load and eat a bag of shrooms and then play…talk about must see TV!

Reply Report comment
- Garrick Smith
  
  Dec 24, 2014 at 12:39 pm
  
  Just so I understand: you’re saying that its Ok if the PGA looks the other way if the players use recreational drugs and PEDs?
  
  This IS sarcasm, right?
  
  Reply Report comment
Davethegolfer

Nov 19, 2014 at 5:32 am

When is golf going to be transparent in its dealing with its athletes. Like it or not there are banned substances and sanctions apply for use of those substances. We are no longer in the days of the gentleman’s club where matter were dealt with privately and swept under the carpet.

Reply Report comment
- Pat
  
  Nov 19, 2014 at 2:00 pm
  
  Exactly. You have guys on tour like Tiger, Rory, Camilo, and Adam Scott using PEDs and nobody talks about it. The testing for PEDs in most sports is ridiculous. They go by epi/test ratio. A normal, young, healthy male cannot exceed 2:1. Yet, all sports have loose standards/thresholds for these tests. For the NFL it’s 10:1, baseball 5:1 and for golf I’m guessing it’s 5:1 as well which leaves room for these guys to use small-moderate amounts of steroids depending on the sport. I have friend that used to play back up linebacker for the Bears and the ex-golf pro at my course was scouted by the Angels and used to play in Triple A so it’s not speculation on my part, but factual. Reasons why the PGA sweeps these positive tests under the rug and allows such high tolerances is because it would hurt the industry, ratings would plummet and they would lose sponsors and money. Maybe someday the PGA tour will be transparent with the drug use on tour, but it’s not going to be anytime soon.
  
  Reply Report comment
  - Vinnie
    
    Nov 19, 2014 at 2:23 pm
    
    Because sports realized a long time ago that it is all about entertainment not athletes.
    
    I work in the pro cycling industry and the Tour de France knew years (pre-Lance BS) that that race was all about entertainment. They had a very high hemocrit level so cyclists could dope (to a certain level) to be able to provide 3 weeks of entertainment for people watching. It made great TV, and was exciting to watch.
    
    All pro sports are the same way. If they truly cared about a “clean sport” then one legit drug test would solve all that. Leagues keep ratios high so people can do it, perform at their best and then fans, ratings and TV contracts grow.
    
    Reply Report comment
  - Carlos Danger
    
    Nov 20, 2014 at 2:47 pm
    
    Oh great…we now have the “I know for a fact this athlete did Steroids” guy commenting on the message boards. Im sure you have a buddy who played golf at a course that had a caddy who knew a girl whos best friend slept with a musician who liked golf and said he knew a janitor at a Taco Bell who saw that “golfer guy” with what looked like a steroid needle…or an ink pen. He wasnt sure but it could have been a steroid needle. So I figured Im just gonna spew that out on the message board because it seems pretty credible.
    
    Video, failed drug test, testimony, etc…with some proof of your statement “Tiger, Rory, Camilo, and Adam Scott using PEDs” would be nice. Were waiting…
    
    Reply Report comment
    - Pat
      
      Nov 20, 2014 at 7:01 pm
      
      Carlos, you are clearly ignorant and don’t have a clue on how sports at the highest levels works. You have no right to comment. I already told you that the standards for the epi/test ratio is very loose in sports. I gave specifics as well and cited my sources. You can go ahead and live in your lala fairy tale world. Must be nice being oblivious to so many things in life.
      
      Reply Report comment
      - Carlos Danger
        
        Nov 21, 2014 at 9:39 am
        
        I have no right to comment? Well please let me know when you have granted me permission to speak about whether or not guys who play golf for a living take testosterone to help them hit a golf ball farther. How dare I speak without your approval.
        
        I never said professional athletes dont take PEDs/Steroids. In fact I am well aware that they take them (and quite frankly I could care less).
        
        I am simply pointing out that the “I know a guy who said these guys take steroids” comments are lame. If you have some evidence of Rory, Tiger, Scott, etc…taking this stuff or testing positive then provide to all of us. Point us to a link supporting this. Give us some pictures or videos of it happening. If not, then you are just another jackweasel making random accusations.
        
        Reply Report comment
      - bradford
        
        Nov 21, 2014 at 1:32 pm
        
        Pat, your “cited” sources are nothing but made up stories and you know it as well as everyone who reads your comments. There is zero validity to your “citations” whatsoever. You should just bow out, as you know Carlos is correct and you will never post your alleged “proof” because it doesn’t exist. You got called out.
        
        Reply Report comment
    - Pat
      
      Nov 20, 2014 at 7:06 pm
      
      Do you know or have a personal relationship with any ex or current pro athletes, Carlos? Yeah, I didn’t think so. I do, and it’s not just one, it’s two, so my statement is clearly confirmed not once, but twice. Also, there was that nobody years ago that got popped for a positive test for steroids on the PGA tour, so this proves too that PED use is apparent on tour. Like I said, go ahead and ignore facts and make yourself look ignorant.
      
      Reply Report comment
      - Carlos Danger
        
        Nov 21, 2014 at 9:50 am
        
        I do know/have a personal relationship with professional athletes but who really cares. I certainly dont care if you do. And yes I have had these people tell me things about the pro sports world that are similar to what you stated…however its really no different than things I hear or see in regular life so who cares. I certainly wouldnt go around saying “my buddy who is a pro athlete told me other pro athletes do bad things sometimes.”
        
        Im well aware that adults take drugs. I dont really care if they do as long as it does not affect me or my family.
        
        IN terms of ignoring facts…you didnt provide any. Unless you want to count “I know people and they told me” as a fact.
        
        And relax on the manufactured outrage of athletes taking PED’s. Do you really not have other things in your life that are more important than this? I would say family, friends, job, mortgage, etc…take a front seat to worrying about Camillio Villegas licking deer antlers to hit a golf ball 315 instead of 308.
        
        Reply Report comment
      - bradford
        
        Nov 21, 2014 at 1:35 pm
        
        Name them. “Clearly confirmed”? Hardly. Again, We’re expected to believe this made up story solely because you said so? I don’t, because it’s false.
        
        What facts are being ignored?
        
        Reply Report comment
- Carlos Danger
  
  Nov 20, 2014 at 2:50 pm
  
  When are people on message boards going to stop pretending to care if athletes take a PED so that you can be overly entertained?
  
  Oh My God! Rory might have sniffed deer urine before the open championship! I feel so cheated having enjoyed watching him hit the ball 350 down the middle for 4 days. My manufactured outrage is making me really mad!
  
  Reply Report comment
AZ Golfman

Nov 18, 2014 at 5:18 pm

And let the cocaine jokes start rolling in…

Reply Report comment
- Ha
  
  Nov 18, 2014 at 9:37 pm
  
  Guess he won’t have to worry about the sleepless nights…
  
  Reply Report comment
- Booger
  
  Nov 18, 2014 at 11:25 pm
  
  Hope he can still rip it without the booger sugar.
  
  Reply Report comment
  - Ponjo
    
    Nov 19, 2014 at 5:37 pm
    
    +1
    
    Reply Report comment

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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