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Two for one: Presidents Cup and the Viking Classic

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We get a two for one special this week on the PGA Tour as there are two events, one The Presidents Cup, and two the Viking Classic.  Each event is special and important in its own right.  The President’s Cup is important not from a monetary standpoint, but from a country pride, and team standpoint.  The Viking Classic is important from a monetary and where you are standing in relation to the top 125, and a potential job for next season standpoint.  This weekend should bode well for the golf fan as he has a smorgasbord of golf to choose from and watch. 

The Presidents Cup

 

The Presidents Cup is back for another installment and this year’s version should be just as exciting as the previous versions.  Held at The Royal Montreal Golf Club’s Blue course, in Montreal, Canada, the reconfigured layout will play 7,171 yards, par 70, nearly 300 yards longer than in it played in 2001.  The captain for the American team is Jack Nicklaus, and the Captain for the International team is Gary Player.  This event’s brief history has been an exciting one, and the American team has seen the better results with a record of 4-1-1.    

 

The golf should be nothing short of spectacular as the 24 players this week are all ranked within the top 60 in the world.  The U.S. has the top 4 players in the world rankings, Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson, Jim Furyk, and Steve Stricker.  The International squad returns with 9 of the next 15 in ranking order.

Since this is not a stroke play event, the format is slightly different than we are used to.  On Thursday we will see foursomes, and then on Friday we will see four-ball.  On the weekend we will bear witness to foursomes and four-ball on Saturday, and finally the singles matches on Sunday.  The main difference between foursome matches and four-ball matches is best ball of the team for four-ball, and alternate shot for the foursome matches.  

This is a huge week for Mike Weir as he is the basically the poster boy for Canadian golf.  "Here, he brings a massive atmosphere,” said Geoff Ogilvy. "I’ve played in the Canadian Open when Mike’s been in contention and there’s something special about it.”  There is also some buzz about the home-grown superstar playing against the world’s number one, Tiger Woods, as this has been commonplace in the last two Presidents Cups.  "It might be icing on the cake for me to get a chance to get in there and possibly beat him. You know, I know come Sunday in singles, we just want to pair up who is going to match up the best. As I said, this is my fourth time. I haven’t been on a winning team yet; we tied once and lost twice. Gary wants to make sure that we do the right thing, not just for myself to put me against Tiger, but for everybody. We’re trying to win this.”

No matter what the tournament is, these guys still want to win.  That should be evident this week as the only prize in country pride, and that can be a larger motivator than money.  Be on the look out for some amazing golf and an amazing competition.

Television Times

  •         Thursday         1-6pm              TNT
  •          Friday              1-6pm              TNT
  •          Saturday          8-6pm              NBC
  •         Sunday            12-6pm            NBC

Viking Classic

 

Running at the same time as the Presidents Cup, the Viking Classic will be some more PGA Tour golf for your appetite.  Being held at Annandale Golf Club in Madison, Mississippi, the Viking Classic boasts a purse of 3.5 million dollars, and the winner getting $630,000 dollars for his efforts this week.  Playing at a par of 72 and a yardage of 7,199 yards, look for the scoring to be great. 

There are several interesting stories developing this week, with the return of David Duval being the most talked about.  Duval will return to the PGA Tour after last appearing at the Nissan Open in February, where he missed the cut in his fifth event of the year. He has been home in Colorado taking care of his family as his wife, Susie, has suffered through a difficult pregnancy. 

Davis Love III has pulled out of the event with an ankle injury, and that is a major blow to the event as he was the biggest name player in the field.  Love, has not officially withdrawn from the tournament but he won’t play because of an ankle injury, said Randy Watkins, the tournament director.  "He busted up his ankle at a horse show with his kids," Watkins said of Love. "He called me today and said he tried to play today but had to quit after three holes. He just couldn’t play.” 

This event is a great chance for some of the “bubble boys” to make a strong move toward securing their PGA Tour cards for next year.  This is typically the time of the year where you start hearing more about the top 125, 50, and 30, as each plateau means different things to different people.  But most important is the top 125, as if you are within that number you will have a place to play next year.  Outside of that number and you will be back to Q-school to attempt to gain full status back. 

We should be in store for some more great golf, and it will be a nice change to take a rest from the Presidents Cup and flip it back and forth between the two events.  Enjoy it, because it does not happen that often.   

Television Times

  • ·         Thursday         6:30-9:30pm    Golf
  • ·         Friday              6:30-9:30pm    Golf
  • ·         Saturday          6:30-9:30pm    Golf
  • ·         Sunday            6:30-9:30pm    Golf

 

 

 

2 Comments

2 Comments

  1. andar909

    Aug 10, 2008 at 11:30 pm

    hi, andar here, i just read your post. i like very much. agree to you, sir.

  2. Andy Brown

    Sep 26, 2007 at 12:24 pm

    One does hope that there will be scintillating golf this year at the presidents cup but for the sake of the game the International team should win, pretty much like my hoping that the European team wins the Ryder Cup. This I say purely because I believe for the game of Golf to evolve and continue to grow internationally it is essential that International golfers put up a show of strength.

    What is the point in pitting golfers from one nation against players from the rest of the world? It definitely reflects poorly on the quality of international golf. While Europe has maintained a strong grip on the Ryder Cup that has not been the case in the Presidents Cup with the international team winning only once. This time around though they stand a good chance with a really strong field with the likes of Els, Vijay.Goosen and K.J. Choi who would be hoping to continue his great run in 2007. The matchup if it happens that would get a lot of tongues wagging would be one between Rory Sabbatini and Tiger Woods. Let’s just hope for some good golf and for the sake of the game a victory for the international team.
    Andy Brown

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Tour Photo Galleries

Photos from the 2026 Memorial Tournament

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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

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Pullout Albums

 

 

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Tour Tech Rundown: Heroic Henley

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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

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

  • Driver: Ping 440 LST
  • Metal: Ping G440 Max at 15 degrees
  • Metal: Ping G425 Max at 21 degrees
  • Hybrid: Ping G430 at 25 degrees
  • Irons: Ping Blueprint S 5 through PW
  • Wedges: Ping S159 at 52, 56, and 60 degrees
  • Putter: Ping PLD Anser

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Russell Henley’s winning WITB: 2026 Charles Schwab Challenge

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Driver: Titleist TSi3 (10 degrees)
Shaft: Project X HZRDUS Smoke Black 70 6.5 TX

3-wood: Titleist TS3 (16.5 degrees)
Shaft: Project X HZRDUS Smoke Black 80 TX

7-wood: Titleist GTS3 (21 degrees)
Shaft: Project X Denali Black 80 TX

Irons: Titleist T250 (4), Titleist T100 (5-9)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold AMT (4-6), True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue S400 (7-9)

Wedges: Titleist Vokey Design SM11 (48-10F @47, 50-08F @51, 54-10S @55, 60-04T)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue X100 (48), S400 (47)

Putter: Scotty Cameron Phantom X5 Tour Prototype

Grips: Golf Pride Tour Velvet

Ball: Titleist Pro V1x

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