News

Morning 9: LPGA Tour Championship pumps up purse | Herman drops case against Tiger | Zhang ready for break

Published

3 years ago

Nov 16, 2023

Ben Alberstadt

By Ben Alberstadt with Gianni Magliocco.

For comments: [email protected]

Good Thursday morning, golf fans, as day one of the RSM Classic gets underway.

1. CME Group Tour Championship pumps up purse, extends sponsorship

Field Level Media report…”The season-ending CME Group Tour Championship will have an $11 million purse, an increase from previous years, and a record $4 million winner’s check in 2024, the LPGA Tour announced Wednesday.”

“The runner-up for next year’s event in Naples, Fla., will receive $1 million, with every competitor in the 60-player field earning at least $55,000.”

Additionally…”The CME Group has extended its sponsorship of the Tour Championship through 2025.”

Full piece.

2. Zhang ready for a break

Golf Channel’s Amy Rogers…”On the eve of the CME Group Tour Championship, Zhang admits to feeling fatigued, in need of a break, and says the biggest lesson she’s learned in her first six months on the LPGA has been realizing there are times she needs to say ‘no.’”

“I feel like energy-wise we’re yearning for a little bit more of just that little break. I just hope to end the year off with the best efforts I can put out on the golf course,” Zhang said Wednesday. “I’m definitely taking a little bit more of a break in the beginning of the year before starting off the rest of the season with plenty of golf tournaments to play.”

“The Tour Championship will be one of the last events Zhang plays until the spring. She’s no longer listed in the field at the Grant Thornton Invitational in December and says she plans to return to classes at Stanford in the first quarter of the new year, which begins in January and runs through March.”

Full piece.

3. Dome down: Air-supported covering of TGL venue collapses

Golf Channel’s Rex Hoggard…”The dome over SoFi Center, the custom-built South Florida complex that will host the inaugural TGL season, collapsed Tuesday evening, the league confirmed in a statement.”

“An overnight failure to the temporary power system used during the construction phase caused partial deflation and limited damage to the air-supported dome section of the site. The dome section has been further deflated by our crew and will remain down while they work to remedy the situation,” the statement read.

Full piece.

4. Team Thomas-Sainz takes Netflix Cup

Reuters report…”Justin Thomas and Formula One driver Carlos Sainz were the first winners in the Netflix Cup, which had quite a bit going on in this first-of-a-kind event Tuesday at Wynn Golf Club in Las Vegas.”

“…Thomas and Sainz defeated the tandem of Tony Finau and Pierre Gasly in the closest-to-pin contest on the final hole after the four-team field was cut in half following eight holes of match play.”

“The competition qualified as silly at times, but the spectators lining the course to watch seemed to find it entertaining.”

Full piece.

5. “No chance” Rahm replaces Rory on policy board

Golf Channel’s Brentley Romine…”Rahm was asked for his reaction to McIlroy’s abrupt resignation as a player director during his pre-tournament press conference Wednesday in Dubai, where he’s competing in the DP World Tour’s finale. The 29-year-old Spaniard said he didn’t expect the news, and he didn’t waste any time in shutting down the possibility of him taking the position before anyone could ask a follow-up.”

“Oh, you won’t see me there,” Rahm said. “Absolutely no chance. I’ve been asked a couple times if I have any interest, and I’m not going to spend, I don’t know how many meetings they have, but they are six, seven, hour plus long. I’m not here for that.”

Full piece.

6. Mickelson thorny in memo response

Our Matt Vincenzi…”After seeing the memo, Phil Mickelson took to social media to have his say on the changes that we are currently seeing on the PGA Tour.”

“What an amazing change of philosophy in 2 years. “If it’s not 100% owned and controlled by the PGA Tour it will be viewed as hostile.” Ed Herlihy and Jay Monahan October 30, 2021. Thank you LIV, PIF, His Excellency and all the players willing to stand up to Jay’s threats and disparagement to force positive change.”

Full piece.

7. Hovland, wholesome as ever

Our Matt Vincenzi…”This week, Viktor Hovland will be teeing it up at the DP World Tour Championship. During his pre-tournament press conference, he was asked what he’s spent his $34.5 million earnings on from this year.”

“Nothing, not necessarily materialistic thing but I took my Mum on a nice trip to Malta and we went there hung out and ate good food and checked out some places and site see’d a little bit so that’s the stuff that’s cool.”

“The Norwegian had a fantastic season, winning the Memorial Tournament, the BMW Championship and the TOUR Championship.”

“Hovland’s answer is another example of why he is one of the most well-liked golfers in the world.”

Full Piece.

8. Herman drops case against Tiger

Our Matt Vincenzi…”Tiger Woods’ ex-girlfriend, Erica Herman, has dropped her lawsuit against the 15-time major champion. She also dropped her appeal to the NDA she had signed when beginning her relationship with Woods.”

“Back in May, Florida judge Elizabeth Metzger heard Herman’s case to have the non-disclosure agreement nullified and determined that there was no evidence or any sexual harassment or abuse and therefore states that the non-disclosure agreement must be honored.

“The judge gave an 11-page ruling and said the implication of sexual misconduct was “vague and threadbare”.

Full Piece.

9. Photos from the RSM Classic

Check out all of our galleries from this week’s event.

Full Piece.

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