News

5 things we learned from the final round of the Open Championship

Published

10 years ago

Jul 17, 2016

Since Saturday morning, we had an inkling that Henrik Stenson and Phil Mickelson would revisit the famous 1977 Duel In The Sun of Watson and Nicklaus. On Sunday, their ringer score was 59, 12-under par. That left the rest of the field to fight for exemptions and honor. As for us, here are the five things we learned on Day 4 of the 2016 Open Championship..

Henrik Stenson turned in the greatest major performance of a new era

For the week, the Swede finished 20-under par, equaled Mickelson’s opening salvo with a 63 of his own on Sunday, and broke Tiger Woods’ Open record of 19-under at St. Andrews. He needed every great swing, too, because Mickelson would not go away.

Stenson’s first major championship win was also the first ever for a man from Sweden, allowing him to join countrywomen Liselotte Neumann, Annika Sorenstam and Anna Nordqvist as titleholders of golf’s greatest tournaments. He also kept alive an odd streak of first-time major winners at Troon, joining Mark Calcavecchia, Justin Leonard and Todd Hamilton as Open champions since 1989.

The winner of the gold medal and the Champion Golfer of the Year… #TheOpen pic.twitter.com/v7BAPIxiXN

— The Open (@TheOpen) July 17, 2016

The most difficult four-hole stretch in golf

The opening quadrilateral of Royal Troon’s back nine can make a case for that award, averaging between 4.2 and 4.6 strokes during the week. Whether it was Bubba Watson tugging an approach onto the railroad tracks on hole No. 11, Rickie Fowler hitting two balls out of bounds from the fairway on the same hole, or Thomas Pieters snapping his approach iron while train-wrecking with a nine, there was little love for holes 10 through 13 this week at Royal Troon.

The Railway has claimed two more victims – Thomas Pieters and one of Thomas Pieters' clubs: https://t.co/9lYKl2XUQu pic.twitter.com/fVKN4bCUK7

— Golf Channel (@GolfChannel) July 17, 2016

Phil Mickelson has found an equilibrium in the heat of competition

He has certainly lost majors that he should have won, and perhaps those misses have given Lefty a sense of perspective as he closes out his career on the regular Tour. At age 46, Mickelson understands that guys his age tend to not compete well for major titles, but he doesn’t plan to go forgotten into Ryder Cup captaincy, Champions Tour membership or any other non-PGA Tour element. While golfers ahead and behind him were making poor decisions, biting off more than they could chew, and imploding each of the four days, Phil kept his eyes focused, his strategy consistent, and his shots on target. His loss wasn’t as gut-wrenching as Tom Watson’s 2009 heartbreaker, but it reminded us that we have been fortunate to watch him assail golf courses with abandon for over two decades.

Mickelson saves par. The battle continues down the last. #TheOpen https://t.co/J3w8RDnE81

— The Open (@TheOpen) July 17, 2016

Golfers who might build from Sunday’s round

Remember what jump-started Jason Day last year at St. Andrews? With a chance to join the title playoff on the final green, Day left his putt short, in the jar. From there, he went on to win the Canadian Open, the PGA Championship and the Players Championship over the next eight months. Rory McIlroy moved up 13 spots, into the top five, with a Sunday 67. Steve Stricker and J.B. Holmes each jumped up two spots, into 4th and 3rd places, respectively. On the other side were Bill Haas (75 to drop to T9) and Andrew Johnston (73 to fall 4 spots to 8th place) and Rio-bound Matt Kuchar, down 21 spots with a 76. Might one of these six golfers use Troon as a springboard to greatness? We’ll soon find out.

Return to sender. Kuchar went back and forth (and back and forth) at the Postage Stamp: https://t.co/LGYQDbQM6k pic.twitter.com/Z7byEzSn3x

— Golf Channel (@GolfChannel) July 17, 2016

England might have the brightest future in golf

Four golfers with the red cross and white field to the left of their name on the scoreboard finished in the top twelve, topped only by the USA. And their names weren’t Willett or Rose or Westwood or Casey. True followers of the game have known who the Andrews (Sullivan and Johnston), Matthew Southgate and Tyrell Hatton are for months, if not years. Brexit notwithstanding, the coming years should see a surge in wins from this new generation of English stars, heralded by Danny Willett’s triumph at the Masters in April.

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5 things we learned on Day 3 of The Open Championship

Ronald Montesano

Ronald Montesano writes for GolfWRX.com from western New York. He dabbles in coaching golf and teaching Spanish, in addition to scribbling columns on all aspects of golf, from apparel to architecture, from equipment to travel. Follow Ronald on Twitter at @buffalogolfer.

15 Comments

#6

Jul 18, 2016 at 10:23 pm

ZJ’s bald spot is hard to look at, somebody please tell him to just shave it all off

Reply Report comment
- Ronald Montesano
  
  Jul 22, 2016 at 7:45 am
  
  He might not take the advice seriously.
  
  Reply Report comment
NAB

Jul 18, 2016 at 10:08 pm

can the winning difference, -20 by stenton hendrik (lowest in the open history) vs top 10 average of -4, be attributed solely to human factor?

the top 5 or 10 at any open hv to b in top form with the best arsenal, after qualifying, selection, cut etc.

Reply Report comment
- Ronald Montesano
  
  Jul 22, 2016 at 7:45 am
  
  He appears to be as fit as they come, shirt on or off. His arms are like branches of trees, and his swing was so repetitive, all week.
  
  Reply Report comment
Jack always

Jul 18, 2016 at 6:04 am

63 last day say no more awesome!!

Reply Report comment
- Ronald Montesano
  
  Jul 18, 2016 at 6:22 am
  
  Sublime final round with those two. We the viewers were fortunate to have access. Two competitors enjoying each other’s company but focused solely on their own performances. Golf lost to greatness is no defeat.
  
  Reply Report comment
Troy Vayanos

Jul 17, 2016 at 11:51 pm

Phil showed that he can still play with the younger guys on tour and put up a fantastic performance. In any other major tournament he would have claimed victory.

Stenson showed great fighting qualities to win his first major despite many people thinking his time had passed.

Will be an Open remembered for many years to come.

Reply Report comment
- Ronald Montesano
  
  Jul 22, 2016 at 7:46 am
  
  Perhaps he gives hope to Lee Westwood? Luke Donald? Sergio Garcia?
  
  Reply Report comment
RG

Jul 17, 2016 at 5:28 pm

I was so impressed when Phil took iron off the tee on the par 5 then hit 3wood. There are different ways to attack and sometimes finding the fairway, even if you are further back, is the best way.

Reply Report comment
- Ronald Montesano
  
  Jul 18, 2016 at 6:24 am
  
  A few weeks back, I played a tournament on a local course with seven driveable par four holes. I know, that’s a lot. The young guys hit driver every time and reached near or on the green with many. Problem was, many trees near the green would leave you ten yards, twenty yards from glory, but with no shot. My plan was to lay back with 4 iron on every one, over the course of two days. The plan worked, as I always had a shot. It took me some years to learn that strategy wins out over strength, but the lesson is a valuable one.
  
  Reply Report comment
golfraven

Jul 17, 2016 at 4:36 pm

Glat to see Stenson win in such a style. Probably the best final round I have seen in a decade, that was special. I have walked a round inside the ropes with Stenson and he is really fun to watch. Once the putter is going he is unstoppable. Big win big man ????????

Reply Report comment
- Redx
  
  Jul 17, 2016 at 5:19 pm
  
  Agreed. I thought JDay holding off Speith at Whislting Straits was a great display but this Open was at another level altogether for head to head battles. Phil threw absolutely everything at Stenson, who responded brilliantly. A duel for the ages I suspect.
  All class Henrik, all class!
  
  Reply Report comment
  - Ronald Montesano
    
    Jul 18, 2016 at 6:26 am
    
    I confess I hadn’t seen a putter that lit in some time. No crack in that egg, and a major title properly and rightly owned by a complete performance. I’m sure that Sergio watched and said, hey, there’s hope for me, but I still have work to do.
    
    Reply Report comment
    - Redx
      
      Jul 20, 2016 at 5:53 am
      
      I think Sergio’s still got every chance RM. He’s fit, healthy and enjoying life. Plays a judicious schedule. Has a win on tour this year and has shown good colour in both the US Open and The Open. All positives. Wanamaker bid?
      
      Reply Report comment
      - Ronald Montesano
        
        Jul 22, 2016 at 7:49 am
        
        Redx,
        
        Baltusrol has a recent way of identifying repeat major champs, so it doesn’t bode well for Sergio. I wonder who his caddie is and how much he truly helps. In this day, that caddie-player relationship is critical. It might be time for a change, but is the proper caddie available? Maybe Joe Lacava?
        
        Reply Report comment

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Tour Photo Galleries

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

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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!

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Photos from the 2026 Memorial Tournament

Published

2 days ago

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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.

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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