News

Morning 9: Woods talks back 9 at Augusta | First pro night golf event | Slow play is about the fans

Published

7 years ago

Apr 30, 2019

Ben Alberstadt

By Ben Alberstadt ([email protected])

April 30, 2019

Good Tuesday morning, golf fans.

1. History!

Golfweek’s Todd Kelly on a bit of golf history made over the weekend at the Women’s Amateur Four-Ball…

…”Kay and Abbey Daniel made history on Sunday, becoming the first mother-daughter duo to reach the match-play portion of the United States Golf Association’s Women’s Amateur Four-Ball event.”

“The Daniels earned the No. 24 seed in the Round of 32 at Timuquana Country Club in Jacksonville, Fla., shooting 70-71 in the two rounds of stroke play.”

“I played awful, she played phenomenal,” said Kay, crediting her daughter. “She carried the team, and made a lot of pressure putts. I’m really proud of her.”

Full piece.

2. Woods talks back nine at Augusta

Our Gianni Magliocco…”What was going through Tiger’s head down the stretch as he chased down major no. 15?”

“Tiger Woods conducted his first extended interview last week since winning the Masters, speaking to Henni Zuel of GolfTV.”

“Within the 30-minute interview with the online streaming service (which the 15-time major champion has a content partnership with) Woods discussed what life has been like since claiming his fifth green jacket.”

“Woods gave a fascinating insight into what went through his head from hole to hole on the back nine at Augusta on that Sunday afternoon. The 43-year-old spoke candidly concerning his thinking from hole to hole, how he judged the roars reverberating around the grounds, his competitors coming undone on the 12th hole, and his decision-making process after that.”

“Woods also discussed how the win has yet to sink in, and how he hasn’t done much but relax since the victory.”

“I haven’t gone all out with any sort of situation. I really haven’t done much, I know that sounds boring. I’ve just been home and letting everything thaw out and just trying to understand what I accomplished. But I haven’t, I don’t think, come to grips yet.”

See the video here.

3. The “occasional golfer”

John Feinstein approves of Tiger Woods’ decision to rest between the Masters and PGA Championship…

“Some people may be surprised by Woods’ decision not to tee it up at Quail Hollow this week for the Wells Fargo Championship. It is the logical place for him to play before competing at Bethpage Black for a number of reasons.”

“To begin with, he’s had two weeks off since the Masters, and in the rhythm of a golf season, most players don’t like to take more than two or three weeks off at any one time. Plus, Woods has only occasionally played the week leading into a major in the past…

“But Woods is 43-an old 43 at that, given all the various surgeries he’s been through. He’s proven in the past that he doesn’t have to play leading into a major. In fact, his final major title prior to the recent Masters came at the 2008 U.S. Open…”

Full piece.

4. Night golf!

Golf Digest’s Joel Beall…”There’s never been an official, professional golf tournament held at night. At least until this week.”

“The Ladies European Tour is set to host the first ever day-night event-dubbed the Omega Moonlight Classic-on the Faldo Course at Emirates Golf Club in Dubai. Formerly known as the Omega Dubai Ladies Masters, the new-look 54-hole tournament has been switched from December to May so it can be played in both the sunshine and floodlights.”

“We think playing under lights is going to be absolutely awesome,” said tournament director David Spencer. “Playing the tournament in May and under lights further showcases what an incredible golfing destination Dubai has become and how long our golfing season lasts each year.”

Full piece.

5. Will Rory be like Sir Nick or Seve?

Derek Lawrenson at the Daily Mail offers an interesting lens through which to look at Rory turning 30…

It’s interesting in this context to look closely at the records of the illustrious pair. Faldo achieved his first major the day after turning 30 and won five more.

In his twenties, he won 12 times in Europe and once in America – thereafter, he won 16 times and on eight occasions, respectively.

Seve was the complete opposite. Of his 50 victories in Europe, 33 were achieved before the age of 30. Nine wins in America, but only two in his thirties. The majors were the same – four in his twenties, one thereafter.

At 30, therefore, McIlroy is perhaps a stride behind Seve but at least a couple of laps ahead of Faldo. Now he’s grappling with the sort of mental issues that affected Seve at the same age. At 29, Ballesteros put the ball into the water at the 15th hole at Augusta to end his chances of winning the 1986 Masters and admitted to me a decade later that he was never the same again.

Full piece.

6. Kupcho, Fassi lead USWO qualifiers…

Golf Channel’s Samantha Marks…

“The two college superstars who wowed the golf world when coming down the stretch at the inaugural Augusta National Women’s Amateur will make their professional debuts at the U.S. Women’s Open this summer after winning their qualifiers on Monday.”

“Both Jennifer Kupcho, ANWA champion and reigning NCAA champion, and Maria Fassi deferred their LPGA status after earning their tour cards through qualifying school in order to finish out their college golf careers. “

Full piece

Full qualifying results via the USGA

7. Can anything spur on the snails?

Golf Channel’s Randall Mell…

“Hey, this may be Howard Beale crazy, but wouldn’t it be great if a player with a math/science gift took the next step in policing and hijacked Shotlink’s “time par average” and developed an Official World Pace Ranking, to rate the worst players in pace of play. And then tweeted that out every week? This might be the perfect job for Bryson DeChambeau, if he weren’t a tortoise himself.”

“The frustration is that some of the wisest players on Tour are throwing up their hands in surrender.”

“…but this is more about the viewing experience, about the frustration fans feel watching a professional take three minutes to make a two-second swing with his group a hole behind. That’s what this is all about.”

Full piece.

8. Florida Tech women’s golf, dropped in February, makes NCAA postseason

Golfweek’s Todd Kelly…

“The Florida Tech women’s golf team was one of three sports cut by the university in February, along with men’s and women’s tennis.”

“On Monday, the women’s golf team was one of 48 to make the NCAA Div. II postseason.”

“The Panthers enter the postseason as the No. 6 seed in the South Regional, May 6-8 at the Cleveland Country Club in Cleveland, Tennessee.”

Full piece.

9. Another Mickelsonian calf-muscle building tutorial arriveth

The Golf Channel digital team spotted a new addition to Phil Mickelson’s workout series on the left-hander’s Twitter…for what it may or may not be worth to your efforts to be the envy of the shorts-wearing world.

“…While parts 1 and 2 of “Phil Kwon Do Calves” were simple pointing and pulling exercises – either while sitting in a comfy chair or even in your sleep – the final three parts he posted to social media on Monday take it up a notch.”

“Parts 3, 4 and 5 of this series sees Mickelson bring his patented “point and pull” methods to the gym, where he works out his calves using his body weight first, then adding a modest “couple hundred pounds or so” before finally doing the exercises one leg at a time.”

Full piece.

Tour Photo Galleries

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

Published

15 mins ago

Jun 3, 2026

Ben A

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

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