News

5 things we learned Friday at The Open

Published

4 years ago

Jul 15, 2022

As intimated yesteday, we bid farewell to one of the two greatest champions that the men’s game has known. Tiger Woods went for a second walkabout round The Old Course, and he showed us moments of why this was not a ceremonial trip to Fife. I’ll project that, if Tiger does not retire before then, he will finish top ten at the next Open at St. Andrews. Here are some screenshots from the Royal and Ancient feed of Woods’ movement down 18 in round two.

We’ve processed an infathomable amount of information and statistics over the past 24 hours, and are supremely confident in our ability to bring five things we’ve learned to your attention. We’re only halfway finished with this glorious celebration of golf, so make your plans for the weekend and see if you agree with our thoughts on day two at Old Tom Morris’ front lawn.

1. To all the guys who haven’t won …

a major championship. There are a lot of them and they are hungry to win a first. Tyrrell Hatton, Patrick Cantlay, Viktor Hovland, ~~Matt Fitzpatrick~~, ~~Scottie Scheffler~~ … well, we got the first three right. Hatton followed his 70 with 66, and sits at eight-under par after 36 holes. Cantlay is just back of him, with 67 for minus-seven at the halfway poll. While none of them wishes to stop at just one, all it takes is a look at this fellow to realize how important a major title can be. Congratulations, Calc. Fare thee well.

A legend of the game and the 1989 Champion Golfer of the Year gets his wonderful final moment at #TheOpen.

Mark Calcavecchia and his wife, Brenda, took their time on the Swilcan Bridge to celebrate. pic.twitter.com/KARE7tRN3s

— Golf Channel (@GolfChannel) July 15, 2022

2. Cameron One (rhymes with “Young”)

The first-round leader did everything correct and smart in round two. With the attention fixed firmly on his young shoulders, Cameron from upstate New York played a confident, intelligent round. He made bogey at the second, but followed it with birdies at four, five, and nine to turn in 34. He added another birdie at Long, but tripped up at Cartgate In for his second bogey of the round. With demanding drives and sneaky hole locations at 16 and 17, Young made par at each, before posting birdie at Home for the second consecutive day. It seems as though we are writing about Cameron or Will at every major event, and sometimes, about both. Songs may yet be sung about Young.

Loving Cameron Young’s action at #StAndrews pic.twitter.com/XvG3xghpz8

— Charles Gwynn (@charles_gwynn) July 12, 2022

3. Cameron Two (rhymes with “Mullet”)

By rights, Cameron Smith should have been included in point number one, as should have the other Cameron. They are the top dogs, so they merit their own points. Cameron Smith, he of the mullet and 1970s-era moustache, is the best putter in the game right now. At St. Andrews, that’s a massive advantage. Everyone will find bunkers, and everyone will get a bad bounce. If his version of Calamity Jane is firing, Smith is unstoppable. Six birdies filled the dish, and an eagle at 14 topped the sundae for Smith. At 13-under par, the only thing that seems capable of stopping Smith is Mother Nature.

This is outrageous from Cam Smith?#The150thOpen pic.twitter.com/Rvf5m1gKdl

— The Open (@TheOpen) July 15, 2022

4. Cameron Three (rhymes with “Rory”)

Nothing like beating a horse. Rory doesn’t rhyme with Cameron, but Roars for Rors has been beaten even longer than the aforementioned horse. He’s been away from the major podium for too long and wants back in. His finish may not inspire him, but it just might propel him toward glory at the home of golf.

'What a line this is on'

McIlroy drives the 372 yard 10th hole ?#The150thOpen pic.twitter.com/cDJ7Zoyao2

— The Open (@TheOpen) July 15, 2022

5. Prediction Time!

In a battle of Englishmen, everyone’s favorite gritter of teeth defeats his countryman in overtime. What else does St. Andrews deserve than more golf! Tyrrell Hatton shakes the mantle of majorless and defeats US Open champion Matt Fitzpatrick in extra holes. Fitzy makes a run at the Open double, but comes up just shy. Hatton signs a contract for self-help speeches immediately after raising the Claret Jug.

Four birdies in last five holes for Tyrrell Hatton.

The Englishman has won two Dunhill Links titles at St. Andrews '16, '17).pic.twitter.com/nkItQxOAkp

— Golf Central (@GolfCentral) July 15, 2022

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