News

GolfWRX Morning 9: Tigermania redux | RIP Don Cherry | Best golf podcasts

Published

8 years ago

Aug 22, 2018

Ben Alberstadt

By Ben Alberstadt ([email protected])

August 22, 2018

Good Wednesday morning, golf fans.

1. Tigermania redux

I received an email from a reader yesterday saying he thought the “too much Tiger” in the subject line might refer to excessive coverage of Woods, particularly on T.V. Unfortunately for the reader, given the synthesis of Woods’ strong play and massive ratings bumps, it’s unlikely we’ll be seeing less of TW on screen in the near future.

Outside the ropes, fan enthusiasm for Woods is at a fevered pitch, as Golf Channel’s Rex Hoggard writes.

“Since Woods embarked on this most recent comeback from injury, the sense of excitement has steadily built. What began as a curiosity now looks like certainty.”

“Woods has repeatedly explained the 2018 season was always going to be filled with more questions than answers. He didn’t know how his repaired back would hold up under the pressure of competition or what swing he would have.”

“Fan didn’t know which Tiger would arrive on the first tee each week – Vintage Woods or the often-injured guy who managed to play just 19 events the last four years.”

As Woods progressed, the answer seemed to be the former, with Tiger electrifying fans at the Valspar Championship on his way to a tie for second place.

“This entire year has been so different,” Woods said on Tuesday at The Northern Trust, his first playoff start since 2013. “I’ve had excitement. I’ve had people into it over the years, but this has been so different. We go back to how everyone received me at Tampa, that was very special and I had not received ovations and warmth like that.”

“Woods tied for fifth at the Arnold Palmer Invitational and fourth at the Quicken Loans National. Despite Tiger’s regular calls for patience and perspective, a fan base that was reluctant to dive back in with a self-described medical miracle is now wading into the deep end.”

“This zeal has built to a crescendo, with the PGA Championship emerging as the new raucous standard.”

2. Speaketh the Tiger

A few morsels from his comments ahead of the Northern Trust.

“I think that people are more, I guess, appreciative…I don’t want to make that sound wrong or anything, but they know I’m at the tail end of my career. I don’t know how many more years I have left. But I’m certainly not like I was when I was 22. At 42, it’s a different ballgame.”

“I’ve become a little bit more mobile than I was the beginning of the year…My swing has evolved and it’s gotten more consistent. I think it will continue to get that way.”

“As I’ve said before, this has been a blessing…It’s been so special to have this opportunity again. I’m certainly not taking it for granted.”

3. Tinkereth the Tiger

Woods swapped out the Mitsubishi Tensei CK Orange 70TX he’s been gaming for much of the year.

WRX staff report...”after a dismal driving performance at the 2018 PGA Championship – where he finished second place despite missing every single fairway during the front nine of his final round, and the infamous 17th hole tee shot that he blew right right of a hazard – it appears Tiger is considering switching up his driver shaft.”

“On Tuesday of The Northern Trust at Ridgewood Country Club in Paramus, NJ, Tiger was spotted using a Mitsubishi Diamana D+ White Board shaft in his driver, instead of the counter-balanced Tensei Orange he’s been accustomed to in 2018. The last time Tiger played in competition with a Diamana White Board? According to our records, it was back in 2014; that’s before the Tensei Orange, the Tensei White, the Matrix TP7HDe, and the Diamana Blue Board. Back in 2013-2014, Tiger was playing a Diamana White Board 73X.”

“According to our Tour photographer Greg Moore, Tiger has also added 1 degree of loft to his driver, in addition to sliding the M3 dual weights forward compared to their position at the 2018 PGA Championship.”

4. RIP Don Cherry

One of the most unique strands woven into the tapestry of golf history, Don Cherry has died. From his New York Times obit…”Don Cherry, a leading pop singer of the 1950s who performed at clubs and hotels by night while becoming one of America’s top amateur golfers by day, died on April 4 at a hospice in Las Vegas. He was 94.”

“Mr. Cherry won many small amateur golf tournaments in Texas after serving stateside in the Army Air Forces in World War II, then captured the 1953 Canadian Amateur Championship. He also played on three victorious Walker Cup teams (1953, 1955 and 1961), in a tournament that matches the United States against Britain and Ireland in the amateur version of the Ryder Cup. He was a contender as an amateur into the fourth round of the 1960 United States Open, at Cherry Hills in suburban Denver, finishing in a three-way tie for ninth at even par, four strokes back of Arnold Palmer.Palmer had famously rallied to win from seven strokes behind the leader in the final round.”

“Mr. Cherry played in many Masters and United States Opens, but apart from his 1960 run, he did not finish among the top competitors. He turned pro in 1962.”

Can you imagine a similar story today?

5. PGA Tour ROY race

PGATour.com’s Sean Martin writes we’re looking at a two-horse gallop.

“These are the two top contenders for the PGA TOUR’s Rookie of the Year Award: Austin Cook and Aaron Wise….Cook was a solid player in his four seasons at the University of Arkansas, but he had to hit the road to play mini-tours and earn his first PGA TOUR starts the hard way.”

“Medical school was his backup plan if the pro golf career didn’t pan out. He didn’t need it, though. Cook cobbled together a schedule on the Web.com Tour and PGA TOUR through qualifiers and sponsor exemptions. He was still carrying a stand bag and using his Arkansas rain gear when he played with Phil Mickelson in the final group of the Houston Open’s third round. Cook, who beat Mickelson by five that day, qualified for five TOUR events in 2014 and 2015.”

“He failed to earn a TOUR card at the 2015 Web.com Tour Finals, though. A year later, he was on the cusp of graduating before a hurricane canceled the Web.com Tour Championship. He finally earned it last year.”

“His TOUR card was worth the wait, though. Cook, 27, won The RSM Classic in the fourth start of his rookie season.”

“Wise was a pre-law major at Oregon and enjoyed academics, but his game ascended even more rapidly than even he could have expected, so he turned pro after winning the 2016 NCAA Championship as a sophomore. He has won on three different tours – the Mackenzie Tour-PGA TOUR Canada, Web.com Tour and PGA TOUR — in his three pro seasons.”

“Wise, 22, burst into the spotlight in back-to-back starts this May. He was runner-up to Jason Day at the Wells Fargo Championship before putting on a ball-striking clinic at the AT&T Byron Nelson.”

6. Best golf podcasts?

I took a highly subjective climb up Mt. Golf Podcast to round up 21 of the best podcasts in golf–and given said subjectivity, I encourage you to check out the comments for additional quality recommendations.

Here’s a sampling of my picks.

No Laying Up: From Twitterers with day jobs to an upstart media outlet, NLU’s podcast was the tool that led to the merch, the features, and Soly, Tron and company’s other efforts. If you’re unfamiliar, start with the most recent episode (Justin Thomas) and work your way backward. You won’t regret it.

The Fried Egg Golf: Andy Johnson has become a force and a voice in the world of golf media in a very short period of time. While he and his guests do good work in discussing the pro game, Andy’s forte is golf course architecture, and he cooks up architecture discussions better than anyone in the podcast universe right now.

Fore Play: Honestly, the iTunes description for Barstool’s golf pod is pretty good: “Trent, Riggs and their wide variety of guests talk about everything golf like normal folks sitting at a bar watching coverage, venting about the game’s difficulties, and weighing in on pro gossip. Your classic golf addicts, the “Fore Play” crew brings a young, unique voice to the rapidly-evolving game, discussing freely and openly everything golf.” Pretty much sums it up.(warning: explicit).

The Clubhouse with Shane Bacon: Mr. Salt-Cured Pork has had something of a come up, hasn’t he? The Fox hosting duties and more are well earned, as Bacon is a strong voice, and his network affiliation ensures a quality roster of guests.

ShackHouse: Geoff Shackelford joins forces with “podcast personality” per the iTunes description, Joe House to “break down the biggest golf stories, interview some of the biggest personalities in the game.” Really, this show is all about Shack’s singular perspective.

Full list.

7. Eisenhower cabin renovation?

Per Alex Myers...”In the past couple years, Augusta National has created the most-talked-about media center and merchandise shop in golf. But now the club is focused on giving one of its most famous landmarks a facelift.According to the Augusta Chronicle, the club’s Eisenhower Cabin is undergoing a renovation.”

“The historic structure near the course’s 10th tee and practice green was originally built for President Dwight Eisenhower and his wife, Mamie, in 1953. It is one of 10 cabins on the property, but is the largest with three floors, including a basement that used to house Secret Service members. It’s also the only cabin with a gold presidential seal hanging over the front porch.”

Maybe they’re putting in a hot tub?

8. 59! or 59.

Geoff Shackelford is running an interesting poll on his blog, asking readers if golf’s magic number is, well, less magical..

He writes: “I was at a golf course snack bar when the Golf Channel was showing highlights from Brandt Snedeker’s 59 at the Wyndham Championship. It was the 10th such round in PGA Tour history and when some golfers looked up and asked if he’d shot 59, I said yes and they went, “ah that’s great” and then went about decorating their hot dogs.”

“A decade ago, I’m pretty sure we all would have stopped what we were doing to watch all of the highlights and regale in the history playing out before our eyes…Throw in a 58 by Jim Furyk and it seems like the 59 has gone from golf’s equivalent of a perfect game to a no-hitter. Still an amazing feat and worth dropping what we’re doing to see a player break the barrier, but also not quite as satisfying as it should be.”

60 percent of Shack’s readers voted for “they are no longer as incredible as they first seemed.”

9. Nice sticks

Hooked on Golf’s Tony Korologos spotted a New York Post article from earlier this month discussing an uptick in golf equipment sales…safe to say, the uptick didn’t include any of the equipment in the chosen stock photo (below)

Tony writes…”Good news and bad news in the golf equipment industry. The good news is that golf equipment sales are up eight percent! Woot!…The bad news is that golfers can only use eight clubs which were manufactured in about 2005, all graphite shafted. To make things even worse, there are no putters or head covers allowed.”

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

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