News

Lee Elder: Honored, honorary starter at ANGC this year | Garcia out with COVID-19 | Who can win the Masters (and why Tiger can’t)

Published

6 years ago

Nov 10, 2020

Ben Alberstadt

By Ben Alberstadt

Email me at [email protected]

November 10, 2020

Good Tuesday morning, golf fans.

1. ANGC to recognize Lee Elder, name the trailblazer on honorary starter

Golfweek’s Adam Schupak…”Fred Ridley, Chairman of Augusta National Golf Club, announced that the club will be establishing scholarships in Elder’s name at nearby Paine College, a Historically Black College, and also invited him to be an honorary starter for the 2021 Masters.”

“At age 40, playing in the 39th Masters, Lee delivered a simple but strong message that resonated throughout the world. That message was unequivocal: ‘I belong,’” Ridley said. “The courage and commitment of Lee Elder and other trailblazers like him inspired men and women of color to pursue their rightful opportunity to compete and follow their dreams. But in reality, that opportunity is still elusive for many. We have a long way to go, and we can and we must do more.”

Full piece.

2. Masters rule changes

Golf Channel’s Rex Hoggard…”Starting this year, the 36-hole cut will include the top 50 players and ties but not players within 10 strokes of the lead. The 10-shot rule was introduced in 1962 and endured in 2013 when the cut went from the top 44 players and ties to the top 50 along with anyone within 10 strokes of the lead.”

“Because of the move to November and daylight considerations, officials are starting players off the first and 10th tees for Rounds 1 and 2.”

“Whether the removal of the 10-shot rule is because of those fall daylight limitations is unclear.”

Full piece.

3. Bryson battle ready

Mark Schlabach for ESPN…”In Monday’s practice round at Augusta National Golf Club, Bryson DeChambeau consistently hit his tee shots 20 yards past Justin Thomas, 40 yards by five-time Masters champion Tiger Woods and, well, even farther past 1992 champ Fred Couples.”

“The scary part? DeChambeau said he can hit it even farther on the world’s most famous golf course with a couple of adjustments before Thursday’s opening round.”

“On the 16th tee box, DeChambeau complained to his swing coach, Chris Como, that he was losing 30 to 40 yards on his drives because his spin rate was too high.”

“After the nine-hole practice round, DeChambeau said if he reduces his spin rate from about 3,000 rpm to 2,000 rpm on his tee shots, he’ll be able to do “pretty cool” things at the Masters this week.”

Full piece.

4. Portentous forecast

Tod Leonard for Golf Digest…”According to the National Weather Service, the forecast for Augusta calls for showers, especially on Wednesday and again during Thursday’s opening round, with some thunderstorms possibly producing heavy rain at times.”

“On Wednesday, temperatures will soar near 80 degrees—about 15 degrees higher than normal for this time of year—with a 70 percent chance of rain. Rainfall amounts during the day could be between a quarter and half of an inch with the same being true Wednesday night.”

“On Thursday, the forecast is calling for partly sunny skies and again a high near 80 but also with a 70-percent chance of rain and possibly heavy rain on Thursday night.”

Full piece.

5. Sergio out of Masters, positive for COVID-19…

Ben Morse and Wayne Sterling for CNN…”2017 Masters winner Sergio Garcia has announced that he has withdrawn from the 2020 edition after testing positive for Covid-19.”

“It will be Garcia’s first missed major since the 1999 US Open.

“After 21 years of not missing a Major Championship, I will sadly miss The Masters this week,” the Spaniard wrote on Twitter on Monday.”

“The important thing is that my family and I are feeling good. We’ll come back stronger and give the green jacket a go next April.”

Full piece.

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6. How TW plays ANGC

In Golf Digest, a fascinating look at how the five-time Masters champion takes on the course.

No. 16: “Redbud,” par 3, 170 yards…”They have a bunch of different hole locations here, and it makes the hole play completely different—like the one on the front right, which we always play to when the tee is up. That’s one of the tougher little 9-irons you’ll ever have to hit because it’s so domed, and if you miss right, that’s trouble. Obviously I’ve had some awesome memories on this hole throughout the years. With the Sunday pin, it’s a pretty straightforward shot—you gotta land something just left of the ridge in the middle and have it funnel down there. But if you bail out right, that’s an insanely fast putt down the slope. And if you pull it long and left like I did in 2005, that’s no picnic either. It’s classic Augusta in that way—if you hit the right shot, you’re going to have a good look at birdie. But if you miss, you’re playing defense.”

No. 17: “Nandina,” par 4, 440 yards…”Back before they lost the Eisenhower Tree, this hole used to feel like a dogleg left because you had to stay right of it. I didn’t realize how straight the hole really is. Without that tree there, you can take your tee shot a little bit more left than you used to, and that’s a bit of a speed slot. It’s usually a 9-iron or so into the green, and if the pin is back left, I’ll get really aggressive because it’s one of the more straightforward approaches on the property—anything over the bunker will funnel to the hole. When it’s back right, then it’s a different story. I hardly ever go after that one. I’ll play short and give myself a putt up the hill, because long there is a total no-go. Just a brutal up-and-down that you don’t see guys convert very often.”

Full Piece

7. Golf and Jeopardy

In honor of Jeopardy host Alex Trebek, who died yesterday, Golfweek’s Adam Woodard explored the history of golf on jeopardy…

“The history between golf and Jeopardy! goes all the way back to the popular television trivia show’s first episode. Jeopardy! featured a golf clue in its pilot episode on Sept. 18, 1983, and according to Golf.com, more than 800 clues have been golf-related over the years. In fact, Phil Mickelson was recently the answer to “Final Jeopardy!” (but nobody got it right).”

Full Piece

8. Sutherland wins Charles Schwab Cup Championship on 9th playoff hole

AP report…“Sutherland and Broadhurst were forced to return to Phoenix Country Club to finish the final PGA TOUR Champions event of the year after playing to a stalemate over six playoff holes in near darkness on Sunday. They continued to match each other through two playoff holes on a chilly morning in the desert, the second with dueling birdies. Sutherland finally broke through on the ninth playoff hole, hitting his 163-yard approach shot from the fairway to 4 feet. He made the putt to win his fourth PGA TOUR Champions title after Broadhurst got up-and-down for par from short of the green.”

Full Piece

9. The 21 players who can win the Masters

GolfWRX’s resident statistician, Rich Hunt, uses his patented filter to determine the short list of players who actually have a chance to win at Augusta National this year.

See why he doesn’t think Tiger can win via the button below.

Full Piece

Tour Photo Galleries

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

Published

6 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

3 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