News

GolfWRX Morning 9: McIlroy: Golf isn’t the most important thing in my life | Greenbrier’s military history | Year of the Irishman

Published

8 years ago

Jul 5, 2018

Good morning, GolfWRX members. As most of you are signed up for our newsletters, you likely already know that I’ve been sending this little Morning 9 roundup of nine items of note.

In case you’ve missed it, or you prefer to read on site rather than in your email, we’re including it here. Check out today’s Morning 9 below.

If you’re not signed up for our newsletters, you can subscribe here.

By Ben Alberstadt ([email protected])

July 5, 2018

Good Thursday morning, golf fans. Hopefully, nobody is feeling the effects of one too many hot dogs and a late night watching fireworks today.

1. McIlroy: ‘There are other things in my life that are more important than golf’

Rory McIlroy was his usual candid self ahead of the Irish Open (presented by his foundation). While some might say the remarks below were a calculated attempt to draw attention ahead of the tournament which benefits his charity, it’s more likely the Ulsterman was merely speaking his mind.

“Nothing is going to change in my life whether I win a major or not,” said McIlroy on the eve of the Irish Open. “I’d be disappointed if I didn’t but I don’t panic. It doesn’t keep me up at night.”

“Look, if I didn’t win another major for the rest of my career, nothing is going to change in my life whether I win one or not, but obviously I don’t feel like I’ll have fulfilled my potential,” he said.

“But at the same time, you know, there’s other things in my life that are more important than golf.

“I’d be disappointed but again, it‘s not going to change things. I don’t panic. It doesn’t keep me up at night.”

While you have to applaud his sincerity, can you imagine Woods or Nicklaus saying the above in the prime of their careers?

2. The Greenbrier and the military

“We’ve always tried to find some way to have that military tie-in and I think we just decided it was time to take it a step further and really show that commitment,” says Cam Huffman, director of communications for The Greenbrier.

And take it a step further they did with one of the morse interesting tournament names of on the PGA Tour: A Military Tribute at the Greenbrier

While their will be plenty of interesting takes on the military tie in, Helen Ross drops some knowledge about the Greenbrier’s military history.

“The military connection at The Greenbrier dates back to the Civil War. The Old White Hotel, which stood on the property before The Greenbrier was built, was actually used as a hospital for both Confederate and Union soldiers at one point or other during the Civil War.

“The Army even bought the hotel during World War II and used it as a hospital for the wounded. Known as the Ashford General Hospital from 1942-’46, it was dubbed “The Shangri-La for Wounded Soldiers and Airmen” as service members were able to use all the facilities while they recovered. German POWs tended to the grounds and worked in the mess hall, among other duties.

“…Eisenhower later decided that The Greenbrier would be the perfect place to build a secret facility to house Congress in case of a nuclear attack. So construction on what was called “Project Greek Island” began in 1958.”

“Workers were told it would be a conference facility, and in fact, some of it was used for that purpose. Beyond those concrete walls that were 3 feet thick, though, was a facility that could house more than 1,000 government officials – complete with metal bunk beds and its own communications system.”

3. Remembering the year of the Irishman

The year: 2008. The golf world: dominated by a man from the Emerald Isle Jeff Shain of the NYT reflects.

“One began with a wrist injury painful enough that it nearly prompted him to withdraw. The other featured a bout of dehydration that left him flirting with the cut line.”

“In both cases, Padraig Harrington came away with a major championship.”

“Things fell into place,” the Irish pro, 46, recalled with a wry smile. “But you know, that’s what happens in this game. Those wins kind of find you.”

“It’s been 10 years since Harrington swept through the British Open and the P.G.A. Championship, grabbing the limelight in a summer void of Tiger Woods once reconstructive knee surgery followed Woods’s epic United States Open triumph.”

“Historical looks at Woods’s 19-hole playoff victory at Torrey Pines in San Diego were a staple of last month’s U.S. Open run-up. Now as Harrington sets for his 23rd consecutive Irish Open, which begins Thursday at Ballyliffin Golf Club, his double conquest commands attention.”

Shain does an excellent job of the aforementioned: read it.

4. Back to the espresso machine…

Sam Locke, who works in the cafe at Paul Lawrie’s academy, qualified for The Open. He was back to his post behind the counter the next day.

James Corrigan writes...”Sam Locke did not have time to allow his Open dream to percolate. A little more than 12 hours after qualifying for Carnoustie, the 19-year-old amateur was back making coffees in the café where he works in the Paul Lawrie Academy.”

“Locke could have taken the day off after seeing off experienced professionals and earning one of three spots on offer in the 36-hole shoot-out at The Renaissance Club. But Lawrie, his fellow Scotsman, who, of course, lifted the Claret Jug at Carnoustie in 1999, was not surprised to see the Aberdonian across the counter….”He makes a mean latte does our Sam,” Lawrie tweeted. “He’s got loads of time to prepare… He’s a top lad who deserves all the plaudits coming his way.”

5. (Some) pros celebrate the 4th as you’ve come to expect

Is Justin Thomas’ photo above refreshing? Fun? Funny? Inspirational? I don’t know. I guess I’m getting old.

Applaud the pros’ patriotism, yes, but I’m not sure how life-enhancing images of red-white-and-blue beachside brofests are from the Fowlers and Thomases of the world are. Good to see them letting loose in the collegiate fashion, enjoying their lives, and proud to be Americans, I suppose.

Am I being more cynical than usual? Pass me a red Solo cup…

6. Lincicome prepares to battle the boys

Lincicome will tee it up in the Barbasol Championship in two weeks time, where she hopes to make the cut (something no woman has ever done on the PGA Tour).

Golfweek’s Forecaddie wrote this of her preparations…”Brittany Lincicome recently played Concession Golf Club in Bradenton, Fla., from the tips at 7,470 yards. She hit hybrids into half the greens, three-putted twice and shot even par. During off weeks Lincicome typically plays from the back tees with her husband, a long-drive competitor, and club pros. That’s all she knew from high school, too, playing No. 1 on the boys’ team.”

“Lincicome has no plans to visit Keene Trace Golf Club outside Lexington, Ky., before competing in the PGA Tour’s Barbasol Championship on July 19-22, opposite the British Open. She once did an early visit for a U.S. Women’s Open and felt like she put more pressure on herself as a result. The eight-time LPGA winner plans to arrive Tuesday and play a nine-hole practice round, as she would for any other tournament. She hopes to be included in the Wednesday pro-am.”

7. Composite course fun: Most difficult major test

Golfweek’s Brentley Romine wonders…”What if a golfer had to play a round on the 18 toughest holes in recent major history?”

“Using scoring averages from the last 25 years of majors and a par-70 template (35-35 with 12 par 4s, four par 3s and two par 5s), here is arguably the most difficult “composite” major venue.

“Grab your clubs – and some Tylenol plus a few Band-Aids – and we’ll see you on the first tee. And don’t sweat being over par – the composite total score for these holes in majors since 2003 is 78.65 (versus a par of 70)”

His first selection.…1st Hole: No. 1, Oakmont Country Club…Par 4, 482 yards…U.S. Open (2007, ’16)…Scoring average: 4.515 in 2007

For the other 17, click.

8. For your listening/viewing pleasure

GolfWRX dropped a pair of tasty media morsels yesterday, ICMYI in the course of your 4th of July revelry.

First, Johnny Wunder talked with company engineer Marty Jertson about Ping’s new i500 irons…as well as the incredible fact that Jertson qualified for this year’s PGA Championship.

Listen.

Second, Andrew Tursky talked with David Edel about the making of Bryson DeChambeau’s U.S. Am-winning single-length irons…and got an in-hand look.

Watch

9. Place your bets!

The favorites for the Greenbrier (c/o Bovada)

Tony Finau: +1200
Bubba Watson: +1400
Phil Mickelson: +1600
Russell Henley: +1800
Webb Simpson: +1800
Xander Schauffele: +2200
Joaquin Niemann: +2500
J.B. Holmes: +2800
Brian Harman: +3300
Charles Howell III: +3300

Tour Photo Galleries

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

Published

7 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