News

Morning 9: Ranking the best shots since restart | Tiger’s troubles | ZOZO Champ stateside this year

Published

6 years ago

Sep 1, 2020

Ben Alberstadt

1. Ranking the best shots since restart

The singular Shane Ryan assembled his top shot from each tournament and then ranked them for good measure…

From…13. Ryan Palmer’s opening tee shot, Charles Schwab Challenge…

“Don’t call us hokey! At the time, when Palmer hit the first shot of the restart at the Colonial, nobody had a clue whether any of this would work. We had high hopes for an extended run, of course, but it seemed just as likely that a COVID-19 nightmare could strike and send us back into the golf-less abyss. Returning at all was a bold move, symbolized by Palmer’s first strike that Thursday, and not just for golf. In some ways, it symbolically took back some momentum for every sport and served as a blueprint for how this could work.”

To…

“1. Collin Morikawa’s drive on 16, PGA Championship…It immediately became one of the most memorable, if not greatest, shots in the history of the PGA Championship. You can read a fuller breakdown here, but you already know the story: It was a brilliant fade into the green at the drivable par-4 16th, setting up a monumental eagle. With it, Morikawa seized control of a crowded tournament and won the first major of his very young career. When you consider the stakes, it’s one of the most stunning pressure shots we’ll ever see. As jaw-dropping as Rahm’s putt on Sunday was, the magnitude of Morikawa’s drive made this one an easy choice.”

And Shane: Sorry to showcase the prize inside the Cracker Jack box. I was going to do 13 and 2, but you wrote so little about it (what is there to say, really, I know). Plus Morikawa’s shot, as it came in a major championship and given the quality almost necessarily transcends any of the other inclusions on this list.

Full piece.

2. U.S. Open field nearly finalized

Golf Channel’s Will Gray…”Sixteen players have been added to the U.S. Open field, including 11 via the Official World Golf Ranking, meaning the all-exempt field for next month’s event at Winged Foot is nearly complete.”

“The top five players from the three-event Korn Ferry Tour points list gained entry into the season’s second major, a group that was headlined by Brandon Wu. Wu won the Korn Ferry Tour Championship Sunday and finished T-35 at last year’s U.S. Open, and he’ll be joined at Winged Foot by fellow KFT players Stephan Jaeger, Curtis Luck, Greyson Sigg and Dan McCarthy.”

“Another 11 spots were awarded via the world rankings from Aug. 23, a group that ranged in rank from Kevin Streelman (No. 48) to Matt Jones (No. 89). Joining them in the field will be Harris English, J.T. Poston, Joaquin Niemann, Thomas Pieters, Max Homa, Lanto Griffin, Mike Lorenzo-Vera, Matthias Schwab and Alex Noren.”

Full piece.

3. ZOZO taking a detour to Sherwood

Golf Channel’s Nick Menta….”Tiger Woods won’t defend his Zozo Championship title in Japan. But he might well do it at an old haunt.”

“The PGA Tour officially announced Monday night that this fall’s event will move to Sherwood Country Club in Thousand Oaks, California, and be temporarily rechristened the Zozo Championship @ Sherwood.”

“Per the Tour’s release, the move is the result of “unprecedented challenges” and “unique circumstances” – namely, the ongoing COIVD-19 pandemic.”

Full piece.

4. In search of his game…

ESPN’s Bob Harig on Tiger Woods’ recent difficulties…“He was never a final-round contender, playing dew-sweeping weekend rounds meant to try to find form that was fleeting.”

“Just missing the ball in the wrong spots here and there,” Woods said after his final round was completed long before the leaders teed off Sunday at Olympia Fields. “I certainly haven’t putted as well as I would have liked, and with the scores being as low as they have been, I just haven’t been able to shoot the low scores like I needed to.”

“It’s a bit more complicated than that, but you can boil Woods’ issues down to one glaring aspect that occurred in suburban Chicago: his inability to birdie a single par-5 hole at Olympia Fields.”

“…To not birdie a single par-5 hole encapsulates his troubles…”

Full piece.

5. Biggest drivers, biggest rewards?

Golf Digest’s E. Michael Johnson examines the question. The data dump and look at the numbers are impressive, but here’s a look at the relevant portion…”Heading into this week’s Tour Championship, 74 players are averaging 300 yards off the tee. The player ranked 100th in driving distance, Matt Jones, has a driving distance average that comfortably would have led the tour every year until 1997 and would have ranked in the top five through 2002. Meanwhile, the driving distance leader in 1985, Andy Bean at 278.2 yards, would not rank in the top 200 this year.”

“Do 2020’s numbers suggest the rush of power hitters has subsided, Bryson DeChambeau and his current all-time high of 323.9 yards, notwithstanding? Well, it is true that five of the top 10 on the money list are outside the 60 longest hitters on tour and three are outside the top 100. Of course, it has been an abbreviated season and several of the tournaments since the restart were played on courses where accuracy was perhaps at more of a premium compared to distance. Still, the average driving distance for the top 10 players on the money list is 305 yards, or about nine yards longer than the tour average this year. There also are five times as many players averaging 300 yards or more off the tee among the 30 headed to East Lake than there are players averaging less than 290.”

“Then again, it’s also true that one of the three players who is not ranked in the top 100 in driving distance but still ranked in the top 10 on the current money list is Collin Morikawa, the guy to win the only major played this year.”

Full piece.

6. Tiger amid the worst putting stretch of his career?

Our Gianni Magliocco took a look at the numbers and that’s what he found…”Much of Woods’ irritation with his game also looks to be in an area that has consistently been a massive strength throughout his career – on the greens.”

“Tiger has competed in 24 rounds thus far in 2020 and has racked up some unwanted records in that period.”

“After Woods gained +0.2 strokes on the greens at the Farmers back in January, the 44-year-old then went to the Genesis and produced his worst putting performance since Strokes Gained statistics began in 2004. Woods lost 8 strokes with the flat-stick that week, and post-lockdown, he hasn’t faired much better.”

“In the four events since Riviera, Woods has lost strokes on the greens all four times. That five consecutive tournament run of losing strokes on the greens is also a record for Tiger, who never had before lost strokes at as many successive events where strokes gained are recorded.”

Full piece.

7. Rory McIlroy’s WITB

A quick look at the Ulsterman’s sticks as he prepares to take on East Lake.

Driver: TaylorMade SIM (10.5 degrees @8.75)

Shaft: Mitsubishi Tensei Orange AV Raw 75 TX (45.5 inches, D4)

3-wood: TaylorMade SIM Max (15 degrees)

Shaft: Mitsubishi Tensei AV Raw White 85 TX

5-wood: TaylorMade SIM Max (19 degrees)

Shaft: Mitsubishi Tensei CK Pro White 90 TX

Irons: TaylorMade P7MB (3-PW)

Shaft: Project X Rifle 7.0 (6.5 in PW)

Wedges: TaylorMade MG2 (54-09SB, 60-08LB)

Shaft: Project X Rifle 6.5

Putter: TaylorMade Spider X Copper (34.25, 2.5 loft, 70 lie)

Ball: 2019 TaylorMade TP5 (#22)

Grips: Golf Pride Tour Velvet Cord (58R 1+1, logo down)

PHOTOS

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