News

Morning 9: Berger prevails | Tour’s triumphant return | Morikawa | Schauffele | McIlroy | Varner

Published

6 years ago

Jun 15, 2020

Ben Alberstadt

By Ben Alberstadt

Email me at [email protected]

June 15, 2020

Good Monday morning, golf fans.

1. Berger prevails in golf’s return

Rough stuff for Xander Schauffele and Collin Morikawa, whose each found themselves felled by brutal lipouts. Not to take anything away from Berger, who burst forth from a pack few really realized he was in, honestly, before the back-nine action at Colonial heated up.

AP report…”Berger saved par from behind the 17th green on the first playoff hole and won when Collin Morikawa missed a 3-foot par putt.”

“Berger closed with a 4-under 66, his 28th consecutive round at par or better dating to Oct. 11 at the Houston Open.”

“Even over the final hour, a half-dozen players were still in the mix. All that was missing was the sound and energy of a gallery, with the PGA TOUR not allowing spectators for the opening five events in its return.”

“Berger won for the third time — all victories during this week on the calendar, just not in circumstances like this. It was the first PGA TOUR event since March 12 when the spread of the new coronavirus shut down golf and other sports.”

Full piece.

2. “Triumphant return”

Steve DiMeglio for Golfweek…”After a 13-week break due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the PGA Tour resumed action with the Charles Schwab Challenge at revered Colonial Country Club in Fort Worth, Texas. Its reward after more than 90 intense days of discussion that produced safety protocols and a detailed plan to produce a “bubble” of protection aimed to reduce the risk of the coronavirus was a stacked leaderboard and a Sunday stampede unfortunately played out in front of no spectators.”

“…Not a single player or caddie tested positive for the coronavirus. All quickly adapted to having their temperature taken daily and answering a questionnaire every day. All were conscious of adhering to social distancing protocols at Colonial and limiting their off-course activity.”

Full piece.

3. Luke List!

Meanwhile, on the PGA Tour’s feeder circuit…Golf Channel’s Ryan Lavner…“Three months ago he was here, in the shadow of the PGA Tour’s headquarters, at the Tour’s flagship event, on the Tour’s crown jewel, competing for a purse that awarded $2.7 million to the winner. (This week’s haul: $106,000.) He shot 70 that day, and by the time he returned to his rental house and flipped on the news, he had a feeling golf was about to be shut down indefinitely. List drove back to Augusta, Georgia, and didn’t touch a club for three weeks. He played “Mr. Mom” to his young daughter before returning his attention to his golf game.”

“He worked his ass off,” said his caddie, Dykes Harbin. Sweating it out in the gym. Continuing to go through the system he built with swing coach Jamie Mulligan. Grinding on the practice green with putting guru Marcus Potter.”

“We’ve been working on making him more complete,” Mulligan said. “He’s always been known as a basher, and he’s so polished now where winning on a course like this is indicative of that.”

Full piece.

4. The tyranny of the 17th

A cruel cup, indeed…Our Ron Montesano writes, “For at least four days, until they tee off at the Sea Pines course for the Heritage Championship, the topic of discussion at Zoom water coolers will focus on the 17th green at Colonial. “Bad location,” some will say. “Poor cut of the hole,” others will lament. In the final 45 minutes of Sunday’s play, we saw Xander Schauffele 360-degree a short putt out of the hole in regulation, followed by Collin Morikawa do a hard lip-out in the playoff. No doubt, something was amiss, but in the end, a winner emerged. Daniel Berger was the only challenger to make three at the last, and he carried his good fortune into extra holes. The victory was his third on tour, and first since rehabilitating from wrist injuries”

Full piece.

5. Successful week, but…

Golfweek’s Eamon Lynch…”The myriad challenges of resuming professional golf won’t ease anytime soon. Twenty-one states saw increases in new coronavirus cases this week. One is Texas. Another is South Carolina, where numbers spiked 60 percent just as the RBC Heritage gets underway in Hilton Head Island. Such statistics illustrate the daunting task facing the Tour has it endeavors to Frogger its way across the country while avoiding getting hit by the runaway COVID juggernaut.”

“The Schwab Challenge established a baseline for what is needed to stage Tour events. Much of that is dependent on the particular circumstances in each host city. Those circumstances are in turn shaped by public behavior to mitigate the spread. The PGA Tour season, like our own efforts to return to some kind of normalcy, is effectively hostage to the dumbest guy in town who thinks wearing a mask is a sign of weakness but wearing body armor makes him a hero. Against that backdrop, week one went as well as could be hoped. It won’t get easier next week, or the week after.”

Full piece.

6. Plenty of positives

ESPN’s Todd Archer…”From a health standpoint, no players, caddies or staff tested positive for COVID-19. From a golf standpoint, the strong field with the top five ranked players in the world and 16 of the top 20 did not disappoint. The tour dove into the issues of social injustice and systemic racism with a daily moment of silence at 8:46 a.m. for the memory of George Floyd, a black man who was killed in Minneapolis on May 25 by a white police officer who kneeled on Floyd’s neck for 8 minutes, 46 seconds, sparking worldwide outrage. In a nod to the front-line workers from the Dallas/Fort Worth area in the pandemic, the tour matched their names to the players on the caddie bibs.”

“At the start of the week, 487 players, caddies, officials and other personnel were tested without a negative result. Signs were posted around almost every common area at the course to be mindful of social distancing. Hand sanitizer stations were prevalent. As the week wore on, players and caddies were more mindful of the guidelines they were asked to follow. Players tried to remember to pull and replace their own clubs. Caddies wiped down rakes and flagsticks.”

Full piece.

7. McIlroy fades

Gareth Hanna at the Belfast Telegraph…”the Holywood star found himself six over at the turn and eventually carded a four over par 74 to finish six under for the week, nine behind eventual winner Daniel Berger.”

“The result ends McIlroy’s run of seven consecutive top five finishes as he came in tied 32nd.”

“I got off to a really bad start,” he confessed.

“The wind was up today. You didn’t have to be that much off for it to show. I missed a couple of greens in the wrong spots and made bogeys.”

“I played all the way to the end and shot a decent back nine but on the front, I just got into a rut and played a bad run of holes. Obviously that put me out of the tournament.”

Full piece.

8. Varner won the week

Joel Beall for Golf Digest, with this praise for HV3’s work inside the ropes…“the most remarkable thing happened. Varner, at a juncture where the lines of sport and society are blurred, turned in a seven-under 63, taking the opening round co-lead at Colonial. He proved it was not a one-day wonder, hovering near the top of the board on Friday and Saturday and setting the stage for a scene reserved for movies.”

“Varner did his best to downplay the spectacle, acknowledging the spotlight while not jumping in it. “When I get on the golf course, it’s been very businesslike,” he said Saturday. “I just kind of handle what I can do … If I’m worried about something else, then I’m probably not going to have a good outcome I don’t think.” The Hollywood ending didn’t come to pass, his only birdie coming at the opening hole. But an ending that didn’t diminish the story.”

“Yes, it’s just a tournament, unimportant in the grand scheme of things. But in chaotic times, sports are mistakenly devalued, overlooking the fact that they are one of the few mechanisms with the power to unite. With his words and resolve, with a performance that can only be measured against the pain and uncertainty and fear we all face, Harold Varner showed us the best that golf can be.”

Full piece.

9. Another near-miss for Morikawa at Colonial

PGATour.com’s Ben Everill on Morikawa’s rough history at Hogan’s Alley…“Collin Morikawa has been runner-up at Colonial Country Club before. Twice before in fact. But this one stung a little more.”

“Prior to watching in horror as his 3-foot par putt lipped out on the opening hole of a sudden death playoff with Daniel Berger, the 23-year-old had a history of close calls at this historic venue.”

“The PGA TOUR young star was a finalist in the prestigious Ben Hogan award in 2018 and 2019 during his amateur days. He was invited to a lavish ceremony to declare the winner at the iconic course that hosts the Charles Schwab Challenge and was home to Hogan himself.”

Full piece.

Tour Photo Galleries

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

Published

2 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

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