News

Morning 9: Allen starstruck by Tiger | New LIV signings | Swafford surgery

Published

3 years ago

Feb 21, 2023

Ben Alberstadt

By Ben Alberstadt with Gianni Magliocco and Matthew Vincenzi.

For comments: [email protected]

February 21, 2023

Good Tuesday morning, golf fans, as we head over to the Honda Classic.

1. West Coast swing takeaway No. 1: Rahm-paging

PGATour.com staff rounds up what’s worth remembering from the West Coast swing. No surprise on point No. 1…”Rahm won his first two starts of 2023, then added a third victory Sunday at The Genesis Invitational, where he outlasted Max Homa. That’s three wins for Rahm in his past five starts on TOUR. He’d never won three titles in a single PGA TOUR season before.”

“Rahm, who hasn’t finished outside the top 10 in six starts this season, has opened a 426-point lead on Homa in the FedExCup (Keegan Bradley, who’s 994 points off the pace, is the only other player within 1,000 points of Rahm). Rahm has earned $9.4 million on the PGA TOUR in this calendar year; Max Homa is next on the list with less than half of Rahm’s earnings ($4.67 million).”

“So what’s different than the first nine months of last year, when Rahm’s lone win came at the Mexico Open presented by Vidanta? Not much, says Rahm, further proof about how small the margins are at golf’s highest level.”

Full piece.

2. Josh Allen was starstruck

Victoria Hernandez for USA Today…“The Buffalo Bills’ Josh Allen was among the Woods’ admirers at Riviera Country Club on Sunday cheering on the golf legend in the Genesis Invitational, which is run by Woods’ TGR Foundation. Allen got to meet Woods at the tournament and Sports Illustrated captured the moment where they shook hands and exchanged some words of encouragement.”

“You put on a good tournament,” Allen said grinning.

“Good luck with everything, alright,” Woods said.

“After the encounter, Allen was beaming after meeting one of his sports heroes.”

“Little star-struck, obviously,” he said. “He’s one of the only athletes ever, him and Kobe (Bryant) are the two guys that I actually felt my heart beat faster when he’s standing over a putt for a tournament. I legit felt the pressure with him. That was pretty cool, never forget it. I’m kinda speechless.”

Full piece.

3. Steele joins LIV

Bailee Hill for Fox News…”It was just weeks ago that golfer Brendan Steele said he wasn’t interested in joining LIV Golf. Now, reports say he will be joining the Saudi Arabia-backed tour. “

“Prior to The American Express PGA Tour event, Steele spoke on a conference call, where he said joining LIV Golf wasn’t “something that I’m interested in.”

…”But, 10 weeks later, Steele is now headed to LIV Golf before the start of their new season.”

Full piece.

4. …Lee, too

Stuff.co.nz report…”Danny Lee’s shift to the rebel Saudi Arabia-funded LIV Tour has been confirmed with the Kiwi golfer to join the Iron Heads GC team.”

“His first appearance for the Kevin Na-captained team, will be in Mexico next week at the El Camaleón Golf Course.”

“LIV announced on Monday…that the Kiwi will join Na, Scott Vincent and Sihwan Kim in the Iron Heads lineup for the season.”

Full Piece.

5. Surgery for Swafford

Mike Hall for Golf Monthly…“With the 2023 LIV Golf season just days away, it has been announced that one of its players will miss the majority of the 14-tournament League. Hudson Swafford will undergo hip surgery which will see him miss between four and six months of the schedule that runs between February and November.”

“A statement released by the 35-year-old revealed he had made the decision after seeing a specialist for the ongoing problem. He said: “I have been struggling with a hip injury which has caused a decline in my on course performance. After consulting with a specialist, I was unfortunately advised my best option for an optimal recovery was to undergo surgery which will require 4-6 months of rehab.“

Full piece.

6. Taste of the Masters returns

Our Jason Daniels…”Originally intended for patrons that could not access the grounds in 2020 because of Covid, Augusta brought back the offer for the general golf fan for the 2021 edition.”

“Missing in 2022, fans took to social media to plead with the organizers:”

“They have listened, and for 2023, fans in the U.S can buy their ‘Taste of the Masters Hosting Kit’ from the Masters site itself.”

“At just $25 more than in 2021, all orders will be delivered by Friday April 7th, giving plenty of time to organize your complete Masters party or, if planned right, the ultimate in Masters weddings!”

“Much improved from the efforts of five years ago, which golf fan doesn’t want to watch Jon Rahm, Sungjae Im or Max Homa on the tee at number 12 whilst tucking into a pack of Masters BBQ chips, eaten beside a pimento cheese salad from Masters wax paper?”

Full piece.

7. Honda Classic photos

Check out all of our galleries from PGA National this week!

Full Piece.

Tour Photo Galleries

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

Published

3 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