News

Morning 9: TGL schedule | Hero field | WMPO security changes

Published

2 years ago

Oct 23, 2024

Ben Alberstadt

By Ben Alberstadt with Gianni Magliocco.

Good Wednesday morning, golf fans, as we gear up for the ZOZO Championship.

1. ICYMI: TGL schedule announced

Here’s who features in the first match, via PGATour.com…

Match 1: New York Golf Club vs. The Bay Golf Club

Tuesday, Jan 7, 9 p.m. (ESPN)

“With the PGA TOUR fresh off The Sentry, its first Signature Event of 2025, TGL’s first-ever match is Tuesday, Jan. 7, in prime time on ESPN and ESPN+.”

“Coming off a career season that included two major championship victories, Xander Schauffele leads New York Golf Club (Matt Fitzpatrick, Rickie Fowler, Schauffele and Cameron Young) to face The Bay Golf Club (Ludvig Åberg, Wyndham Clark, Min Woo Lee and Shane Lowry) as the two youngest teams in TGL square off.”

And Tiger Woods’ first action will be…

Match 4: Jupiter Links Golf Club vs. Boston Common Golf

Monday, Jan. 27, 6:30 p.m. (ESPN)

Full piece.

2. Hero field (sans Tiger…for now) announced

3. JT excited for Japan with daughter on the way

Adam Stanley for PGATour.com…Justin Thomas has a singular focus this week.

But by this time next month, he’ll be ready for his life to change in a sweet new way.

“It’s going to be great. But this week I’m focused on business and trying to win a golf tournament,” Thomas said.

“Then it’s time to go home and get ready to be a dad.”

Thomas announced on social media he and his wife Jillian would be expecting their first child in November. Thomas revealed Tuesday at the ZOZO CHAMPIONSHIP that they are having a daughter.

“Any golf shot or situation I am in this week, it’s not going to be anything close to as hard as it’s going to be in a month or so when our little one comes,” Thomas said with a smile. “We’re very fortunate with the timing … or me being able to come here.

“I think reality will probably set in when I’m flying home and then when I get home because it will be getting in crunch time. I know my wife’s going to be an unbelievable mom and I’m excited for the opportunity to raise a little girl.”

Full piece.

4. Security changes ahead at WMPO

Golf Digest’s Joel Beall…”This week, the tournament announced changes to ensure a repeat won’t happen in 2025. Those implementations include:”

“-Adding another tournament entrance designed to improve crowd flow, particularly during peak hours on high-attendance days like Friday and Saturday.”

“-Several walkways around the course have been expanded, providing fans with more space to move easily and comfortably in what is traditionally one of the most popular and high foot-traffic areas of the golf course.”

“-Full-digital ticketing, which will improve issues fans experienced entering the property.”

“-Two additional fan spectating venues.”

Full Piece.

5. A man in search of a tour

AP report…”Sung Kang didn’t have the status to get in another full year on the PGA Tour, so he looked elsewhere. He found the Bahamas and Bahrain. He went as far south as Argentina, as far north as Denmark. He played at sea level and in the Alps.”

“He has learned plenty this year, such as this nugget for anyone curious.”

“Singapore to Houston is really far,” Kang said early Tuesday in South Korea, the 18th country he has played in this year. He was dealing with jet lag from the 6,400-mile (10,300-kilometer) flight to Seoul from the Andalucia Masters along the southern coast of Spain.”

“Kang was referring to a trip in late March. He missed the cut in the Singapore Classic on the DP World Tour and flew to Texas the next day so he could arrive in time for a Monday qualifier at the Houston Open. He shot 67 to get in and then missed the cut.”

“Next stop: Savannah, Georgia, for a Korn Ferry Tour event.”

Full Piece.

6. Davidson competes as LPGA pros dispute transgender policy

AP report…”Transgender golfer Hailey Davidson began the second stage of LPGA qualifying Tuesday with a 78 as reports surfaced of 275 female players signing a letter asking top golf organizations to repeal policies that allow people assigned male at birth to compete in women’s events.”

“Outkick reported that the Independent Women’s Forum shared the letter sent Aug. 19 to the LPGA, the U.S. Golf Association and the International Golf Federation. The letter was sent three days before the pre-qualifying stage of Q-school.”

“Davidson, who narrowly missed out on a playoff during U.S. Women’s Open qualifying this year, tied for 42nd in LPGA pre-qualifying to advance to the next stage.”

“The LPGA currently allows players who have undergone gender-affirming surgery after puberty and meet hormone therapy requirements to compete.”

Full Piece.

7. Chuck sounds off

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

1 day 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