News

Tour Rundown: Hatton holds, Campillo, nearly the Big Eerie, Rocha

Published

6 years ago

Mar 9, 2020

It’s not the week before a major, but it is the week before the Players Championship. Bay Hill played as much like TPC will play as it could. In fact, Sawgrass is going to have to show me something, to play any tougher. Firms greens, speedy surfaces, thick rough (not a fan) and wind (can’t prepare that) made the O-Town course as difficult as one could encounter. For the 2nd consecutive week, a well-decorated Englishman led after 54 holes. It wasn’t Tommy Fleetwood this time, but Tyrrell Hatton. Would he hold on? How would compatriots fare in Qatar, Mexico, and California? Fortunately for you, we run it all down this week in Tour Rundown for March 8th, 2020.

PGA Tour: Hatton holds lead and claims Bay Hill

For some Englishmen victory on the US PGA tour will always be an unsolvable mystery. Colin Montgomerie, Ken Brown and Mark James never won. Among the current lot, Tommy Fleetwood and Matthew Fitzpatrick remain among the uncrowned. Nick Faldo won 9 times, including 2 major titles. Luke Donald (5 ), Paul Casey (3) and Lee Westwood (2) were among the ones who solved, in part, the mystery. This week, Tyrrell Hatton left the former group and earned membership in the latter. He did so in the grittiest manner. If #GolfTwitter wasn’t waiting for him to implode in spectacular eruption, it sat marveling at his ability to handle the most trying of conditions. Hatton entered round four with a 2-shot lead, but Bay Hill was not the simple test of prior years.

Hatton’s inward half consisted of 8 pars … and a double bogey. He drove left off the tee, into the water. Four swings later, he thought the game was over. Imagine his relief, looking at the leader board at 13, upon discovering he still had the lead. It was not his first brush with disaster; 2 bogeys in the first four holes brought him to the brink. 2 birdies as the front 9 closed, drew him back from the precipice. Still, there were challengers. Marc Leishmen, playing with Hatton, came home in minus-one, edging to 3-under par, ultimately claiming 2nd place alone. When every shot mattered, Hatton hit knives on 17 tee, 18 tee, and 18 fairway, to set manageable pars and victory in motion.

Writer’s Note: When you have to hit a perfect shot, “between the rocks and the sand,” as the commentators gleefully spurted, the hole set-up is bad. It may not have been the goal of the preparation committee, but it was the result at the 18th hole. This was Florida nightmare golf at its best; some love it and some disdain it. Perhaps there’s no other way to defend a course like Bay Hill. Having said that, it’s difficult to recall the last non-major event that had golfers absolutely turned in knots. It shouldn’t be an every-week thing, but much like the stadium hole at Scottsdale, from time to time, it’s warranted.

European Tour: Campillo and Qatar begin with <k>

Jorge Campillo has lost more than he has won, on the European Tour. He has won twice, though, on the big tour. David Drysdale has been at the professional game for 25 years, and has 2 Challenge Tour wins to his credit. For the longest time on Sunday, it was uncertain if any of the golfers in contention would hit the proper shots required for victory. Campillo made a bogey at 16, and a double at 17, ending on -13. Drysdale made bogey at 15, also dropping to the number of misfortune. Also in the mix was Denmark’s Jeff Winther, but he had 3 bogeys against 0 birdies on the back 9, to finish 1 agonizing stroke out of the playoff.

As if a switch were flipped, both Campillo and Drysdale played like world-beaters in extra time. They matched birdies at the 18th, then did it again on the 2nd go-round. Two more trips along the closing trace returned 4 pars, so it was back to the tee for a 5th attempt. This time through, Campillo knocked in a distant birdie putt, and Drysdale missed from closer in. The Spaniard had his 2nd tour victory, while the Scotsman had improved on his previous-best finish (twice a runner-up in regulation.)

PGA Tour Champions: Els gets by with a little help from his friends

Ernie Els’ arrival on the senior circuit was heralded. He nearly won his maiden event, falling to the pride of Malaga, Miguel Angel Jimenez, in extra holes. Two events later, the Big Easy finished on 16-under par, in Newport Beach, California. The South African found himself in amid a blend of tested and untested doyens: Scott McCarron and Fred Couples were nipping at his heels, as were Monday-qualifier David Morland IV and Ken Duke. Nowhere on the elder circuit is the gap greater, than the par-five holes. On this day, Els’ pursuers did him the greatest of favors: they made pars and bogeys on the birdie holes. Glen Day was on fire when he reached the 18th tee. In his pocket were 4 consecutive birdies. He made bogey on the piece-of-cake closer. That’s piece of cake for birdie, not par. And he made bogey. Dropped to -14. Still finished 2nd alone. McCarron portrayed the worst wedge player in the game, at least from a distance. His approach irons were routinely off by yards, not feet, and thus were his birdie opportunities limited. He shot 69 and dropped 3 spots, to 5th place. Neither Morland nor Duke broke 70, and each dropped away, toward 10th spot. Couples’ performance was also bewildering. He had 6 birdies on the day, but none over the closing third of the round. He matched Day at -14, but rued the missed opportunities.

Els’ round was nearly the Big Eerie. He birdied 1 and 18. He also bogeyed 8 and 11. See where we’re going? He had birdies on 3 and 6, and also on 12 and 15. Those don’t match up as precisely, but still, pretty spooky. All of it was good enough to separate him from the chasers, and bring him a well-earned, debut victory on the next stage.

PGA Tour Latinoamerica: Rocha waves Brazilian flag in Mexico

If the Sahara of birdies that was Bay Hill, had you wanting for redder numbers, the fans in Mazatlan cannot empathize. The golfers on PGA Tour LA went berzerk at the Estrella del Mar resort. on the west coast of Mexico. Despite opening with 65-67, Brazil’s Alexandre Rocha would not assume the lead until a 2nd 65, in round 3, brought him to 19-under par. Even then, he stood alongside Argentina’s Alejandro Tosti and Rowin Caron of the Netherlands. Raul Pereda and Alvaro Ortiz Becerra, of the host nation, each shot 64 in round 4, to surge up the board, to -2 and -26, respectively. Nice rounds, but can they compare with a 62? That’s what Rocha returned on day four. The man from Sao Paulo began his afternoon with 5 consecutive birdies, then added a 6th at the 9th, to turn in 30. He signed for 5 more chirps on the inward half, to offset an inexplicable bogey on the 14th. Caron had 66 on day four, but fell to a 3rd-place tie with Pereda. Tosti had 67, good for 5th place alone.

PGA Tour Latinoamerica will take two weeks off, allowing players time to reach the tip of South America. Three events will be held in Argentina, then a quick stop in Chile, before reaching the Caribbean in May.

Tour Photo Galleries

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

Published

30 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