News

Morning 9: 5 players earn Tour cards | Hovland sounds off | Phil’s LIV team makes new addition

Published

2 years ago

Dec 19, 2023

Ben Alberstadt

By Ben Alberstadt with Gianni Magliocco.

For comments: [email protected]

Good Tuesday morning, golf fans.

1. 5 players earn PGA Tour card at Q-School

ESPN report…”Five players earned PGA Tour cards in the final stage of PGA Tour Q-school on Monday, including Hayden Springer, who played with the memories of his 3-year-old daughter, Sage, who died last month.”

“Springer finished in a tie for fourth place at 8 under par, which earned him one of five PGA Tour cards handed out in the nerve-racking four-day event that was postponed until Monday due to rain in north Florida.”

“Harrison Endycott was the medalist with a 15-under total of 265, earning $50,000. Trace Crowe (11 under), Blaine Hale Jr. (9 under) and Raul Pereda (8 under) also earned promotions to the PGA Tour.”

Full piece.

2. Intrigue for Tiger’s year ahead

Yahoo’s Jay Busbee…”Woods used a cart at the PNC Championship, which he won’t be able to do at future PGA Tour events. He also had the joy of walking with daughter Sam as his caddy, and flashed a bit of the old Woods game as he worked his way back into playing shape.”

“A lot of things are aching a lot more than my ankle, which is the way it goes,” he said. “It’s been nice to knock off a lot of the rust and some of the doubt that I’ve had because quite frankly I haven’t hit a shot that counted in a long time.”

“Going forward, Woods believes he’ll be able to play roughly one tournament a month, potentially beginning in February with the Genesis Open and then rolling forward with The Players, the Masters, the PGA Championship, the U.S. Open and the Open Championship. How well he’ll play is anyone’s guess, but the fact that he’ll be on the course at all is an improvement over most of the past few years.”

Full piece.

3. “Best week”

Golfweek’s Beth Ann Nichols…”While Tiger Woods and son Charlie dominate many of the headlines at the PNC Championship, Will McGee once again won plenty of hearts. Walking down the 18th fairway on Sunday, the 12-year-old turned to his mother, Annika Sorenstam, and said, “Slow down, Mommy, I don’t want this moment to end.”

“No one loves the PNC more than young McGee, who doffed his cap for the crowd around the 18th green after hitting a beautiful bunker shot. He’d caught it thin out of another bunker on the last hole during Saturday’s round and wanted revenge.”

“McGee shed many tears on that final hole. When asked why he felt so emotional, McGee said, “Probably because I have to wait a year to do this again.”

Full piece.

4. 19-year-old wins on Asian Tour

Golfweek’s Todd Kelly…”Denwit Boriboonsub of Thailand made his first Asian Tour title Sunday his third win in three weeks.”

“The 19-year-old shot 7-under 64 to win the Saudi Open on Sunday to finish at 18 under and win by three shots over LIV Golf’s Henrik Stenson. The season-ending tournament was held at the Riyadh Golf Club.”

“Boriboonsub won the Aramco Invitational two weeks ago on the Asian Development Tour and then claimed the Thailand Open.”

Full piece.

5. Tiger stonewalls Nike split question

Our Matt Vincenzi…”On Saturday, the 15-time major champion was asked by a reporter, “There’s been a lot of chatter the last month or so on your relationship with Nike, and where that’s going. Can you give any clarity to that?”

“I’m still wearing their product,” Woods replied.

“When the reporter asked a follow-up question, he received the same answer again.”

“I’m still wearing their product,” Woods repeated.

Full Piece.

6. Hovland sounds off

Golf Digest’s Dave Shedloski…”Viktor Hovland, the reigning FedEx Cup champion, said recently that he remains committed to the PGA Tour, at least for the foreseeable future. But his support extends only to the golf course and not to management, which he calls “arrogant” and has done “a damn bad job” in handling the fracture in the game with the launch of the rival LIV Golf League.”

“Speaking on Discovery’s FORE podcast in his native Norway, Hovland, 26, expressed “doubt” that he would follow recent convert Jon Rahm to LIV amid reports that Hovland was getting ready to jump. Having committed to six early-season PGA Tour events, including the season-opening Sentry Tournament of Champion in Kapalua, Hawaii, Hovland indicated that his allegiance was strictly personal and related to his development as a player.”

“If I had gone to LIV, I don’t think I would have become a better golfer, and then it is, in a way, end of discussion,” said Hovland, the No. 4 golfer in the world, citing LIV’s 54-hole, no-cut format. “You need the competition with 150 players and a cut. If you don’t play well enough, you’re out. There is something about it that makes your game a little sharper.”

Full Piece.

7. New Old Tom Morris tribute cometh

Golf Digest’s John Huggan…”At least before driving the green became almost routine for elite players, the clock face on the side of the Royal & Ancient Golf Club clubhouse that sits directly behind the first tee has been hailed as the optimum line off the 18th tee on the Old Course at St. Andrews. In other words, a wee bit left of center and well away from the out-of-bounds fence that runs up the right side of golf’s most famous closing hole.”

“Well, that long-established bit of local knowledge may soon be about to change.”

“If all goes to plan, a slightly “braver” target a few yards to the right of the clock will be an option for players in the AIG Women’s Open next August. Led by the Old Tom Statue Project Group (the clue is in the title), a monument to commemorate four-time Open champion Old Tom Morris will, subject to planning permission from Fife Council, be in place on The Scores embankment to the rear of the R&A clubhouse.”

“The genesis of the idea came about by accident,” says Ronald Sandford, chair of the TSPG. “There was a move afoot a few years ago to hold an annual ‘Old Tom Morris Golf Day.’ Two friends and I volunteered to represent the Crail Golfing Society and did so at places like Tain, Lossiemouth and, maybe 10 years ago, Rosapenna in Donegal. It was at Rosapenna that we came across a magnificent statue of Old Tom.”

Full Piece.

8. New addition to Phil’s LIV team

Adam Woodard for Golfweek..”Phil Mickelson has exchanged one former U.S. Amateur champion for another.”

“After James Piot was relegated from the LIV Golf League following the 2023 season, Mickelson’s HyFlyers GC have signed Andy Ogletree for 2024. The roster is now complete as Ogletree will join Mickelson, Cameron Tringale and Brendan Steele.”

Full Piece.

9. PNC Championship photos

ICYMI, WITBs include Lee Trevino and Sir Nick Faldo!

Full WITBs.

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