News

Five Things We Learned: Friday at the Masters

Published

4 years ago

Apr 8, 2022

It is a tall task to consider how many golfers had at least a share of the lead on day two at the 2022 Masters. Im Sung-jae, the first-round leader, stood at minus-five at one point, the lowest total of the day. He finished at three-under par. Charl Schwartzel, Danny Willett, Hideki Matsuyama, and Scottie Schefler all reached the top rung of the ladder, but none was able to separate from the field. To blame, were the winds. The zephyrs that put the “gust” in Augusta National were on full display, from the first tee shot to the final putt. It wasn’t just the swirling winds of Amen Corner that vexed the world’s finest male golfers. It was breezes, drafts, and blasts from every direction that caused consternation and over-par scores.

There was much to learn from the second round of golf at the 2022 Masters. We’ve condensed the lessons to a five-pack, similar to the ones offered by your favorite PGA professional. Ours are on offer for free, and we are thrilled that you stepped up to our instruction tee. Have a read of the five things that we learned on Friday at the Masters in 2022.

1. Scottie Scheffler put on a show

We understand that the world’s top-ranked player has a five-shot advantage over a quartet of chasers. We get that some golf aficionados consider that to be separation from the field. Remember that this is Augusta National, and this is a major championship. No lead is enough, but Scheffler gave himself a bit of wiggle room by playing the final seven holes in four-under par. Each birdie that he counted, gave him one more error-arrow in his quiver. Scheffler begins Saturday like any other golfer at plus-four or better. If he posts the low round for a second consecutive day in round three, then he will have separation. It’s complicated, but you’ll understand in a few days.

Scheffler separates from the field. Lead is now five strokes. #themasters pic.twitter.com/0WQLTXZyu5

— The Masters (@TheMasters) April 8, 2022

2. Shane Lowry smiles his way to final pairing

The Irishman charmed and impressed us on his way to an Open championship at Royal Portrush in 2019. That same blend of giddiness and grit returned to a major stage on Friday at Augusta National. Despite an opening bogey, Lowry found a pair of birdies by the tenth hole. He didn’t do himself any favors from tee to green there, until he hit the shot that you see below. That birdie buoyed his spirits, and compelled him to play the next eight holes in two-under par. Lowry will play in the penultimate pairing on Saturday, and will be close enough to Charl Schwartzel and Scottie Scheffler to smell their fear…or something like that. Don’t sleep on Lowry; he is a gamer on the big stage.

38-yard chip in for the Irishman. Shane Lowry moves to one under par for the Tournament. #themasters pic.twitter.com/Wq8OgaELrk

— The Masters (@TheMasters) April 8, 2022

3. Tiger Woods is nine back, but in the hunt

Why did Tiger compete this week? He believed that he could win. Woods knew coming in that there would be one day of struggle on his way to victory. That day was Friday, and the greatest was able to grind out a 74. He found the inner strength to record birdies at 13 and 14, after bogeys at 11 and 12 slowed his pursuit of a green jacket. There is no doubt that the hills of Berckmann’s Nursery are taking their toll on his knees, and there is no doubt that a dearth of competitive experience has hampered him. And yet, he made par putts and birdie putts when he needed them, and kept his name inside the top twenty, and in contention. He might not win, but he won’t go away. In order to contend, Woods needs 67-67 over the weekend. Grab your popcorn.

Two in a row for Tiger Woods. He heads into No. 15 at one over par. #themasters pic.twitter.com/UrDj8t67qS

— The Masters (@TheMasters) April 8, 2022

4. Don’t you, forget about me

We’re going to give you bullet points for the second consecutive day. Strap in!

Harold Varner III – To me, he looks like he lurches after each shot. He does it the same way each time. He’ll be around on Sunday.
Charl Schwartzel – Is he an underachiever? He hasn’t won as often as we anticipated, after he won at Augusta in 2011. Lightning struck twice for Ben Crenshaw, 11 years apart. Might happen for Charl.
Hideki Matsuyama – The defending champion would love to host the Tuesday soiree for a second consecutive year, in 2023. In order to do that, he’ll have to grind the way he did today for another 36 holes. As he showed in 2021, he is capable.
Im Sung-jae – The leader after 18 holes struggled on Friday, but held on to remain at minus-three after 36 holes. He will need to replicate Thursday’s balanced, stellar play over the next 48 hours to give himself an opportunity.

Despite strong winds Harold Varner III hits it to two feet on No. 16. #themasters pic.twitter.com/AVzNq1qj7q

— The Masters (@TheMasters) April 8, 2022

5. Teach them how to say good-bye … and not cry

Each of the six amateurs packed his bags after 36 holes at Augusta National. They weren’t alone. Major champions Brooks Koepka, Bryson DeChambeau, and Jordan Spieth failed to reach plus-four, and headed away from north Georgia. Olympic gold medalist Xander Schauffele also missed the halfway cut, and continues to search for the secret to major success. In all, 39 golfers fell to the blender, while 52 remained to battle on. The most inspirational was Justin Thomas, who went from 76 to 67 and moved on. Next came Adam Scott, who made a brilliant par save at the last hole on day two, to make the cut on the number. The gods of golf are fickle.

Recap de la primera ronda: Niemann con el tiro del día, Sungjae Im es líder y Woods Top 10. #elMasters #themasters pic.twitter.com/ax8TXvzxa4

— The Masters (@TheMasters) April 8, 2022

Tour Photo Galleries

Photos from the 2026 Memorial Tournament

Published

1 day ago

Jun 1, 2026

Ben A

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