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Perspectives on the Tiger’s WD at the Honda Classic
Rory McIlroy’s Sunday 74 and Russell Henley’s playoff victory at the Honda Classic competed for headline space with Tiger Woods’ back-nine withdrawal.
Woods withdrew after No. 13, at which point he was 5-over for the final round. He left PGA National without comment, but he later released a statement indicating that his back began bothering him while warming up and got progressively worse during the round.
Whether Tiger tapped out due to a recurrence of the back spasms that have plagued him merit top billing is beside the point. Yes, Woods was more than 10 strokes off the lead when he withdrew. Were it any other golfer, the WD wouldn’t be competing for headline space with McIlroy and Henley’s feats.
The man leaving the golf course without speaking to the press wasn’t “any other golfer,” however. It was Tiger Woods. So, here we are.
Tiger detractors will say Woods is whining. They’ll say his walkoff is comparable to McIlroy’s early departure at the same tournament last year. Many anti-Tiger-ites (on social media, anyway) speculated the golfer was frustrated with his play and the overall pace of the round and thus he elected to head home to Jupiter Island early.
Catastrophists will take this news, coupled with Woods’ underwhelming play this week and poor start to the ’13-’14 season, as signs that Tiger’s Masters hopes have gone up in smoke. Off to his worst start of his career and only has one start scheduled before heading to Augusta in April? “Tiger is doomed,” they’ll say.
Hardliners, of course, will invoke the names of the golfing greats who have soldiered on through incredible pain to finish tournaments and assert that such behavior is what this great game demands. Thus, a WD at any point other than while one is being carried away on a stretcher is unsatisfactory and Mr. Woods is a wuss.
Supporters and the more even-tempered won’t doubt the legitimacy of Tiger’s injury; many of those who followed Tiger today reported the golfer grimacing throughout his round. Whether he was truly unable to finish, only Woods himself knows. By all appearances though, the back injury was legitimate.
It’s no secret Woods is looking ahead to the Masters. If he felt there was any possibility that continuing to play would further aggravate his back, it’s understandable from a certain perspective that he withdrew in order to get treatment. However, the fact that he didn’t proceed immediately to the trainer won’t please naysayers any.
Obviously, too, he wasn’t getting quality reps while fighting through pain. Clearly, the final round wasn’t going to allow him to practice the shots he’ll need for the Masters in a competitive setting, as he reportedly likes to do in the tournaments leading up to the first major of the year. Thus, the round was, in some sense, pointless.
Does the above merit a withdrawal? Certainly not in and of itself. However, coupled with a level of pain that made continuing to play golf impossible, it’s a complementary rationale.
Regardless of what faction you align with, the following is indisputable: Tiger Woods looks as ill-prepared for the Masters at the beginning of March as he has at any point in recent memory. Clearly, he needs to practice. Clearly too, he can’t practice with a spasming back.
Therein lies the rub, as they say. It will be interesting to listen to the chatter and watch the next month unfold.
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
- Jason Day – WITB – 2026 The Memorial
- Chris Gotterup – WITB – 2026 The Memorial
- SungJae Im – WITB – 2026 The Memorial
Pullout Albums
- Jason Day’s 1off Payntr golf shoes – 2026 The Memorial
- JT Poston’s TaylorMade Spider – 2026 The Memorial
- Cameron putter – 2026 The Memorial
- Tommy Fleetwood’s TM Spider putters – 2026 The Memorial
- New Mitsubishi Chemical 1K Pro Orange shaft – 2026 The Memorial
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
- 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
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
Aaron Rai’s winning WITB: 2026 PGA Championship
Russell Henley’s winning WITB: 2026 Charles Schwab Challenge
Photos from the 2026 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
CJ Cup Byron Nelson Tour Report: Koepka and Kim’s newest putters finally get hot
Charles Schwab Challenge Tour Report: MacIntyre, Åberg and Spaun all switch putters, TaylorMade launches new Spider
Details on J.J. Spaun’s surprise putter switch
GolfWRX Launch Report: 2026 Titleist GTS drivers
Photos from the 2026 Charles Schwab Challenge
PGA Championship Tour Report: Fitzpatrick, Koepka among big-name putter switches for Aronimink
Photos from the ShopRite LPGA
Maria Torres WITB 2026 (June)
Driver: Ping G440 LST (9 degrees) Shaft: Accra TourZ Green 5-M4 3-wood: Ping G440 Max (15 degrees) Shaft: Accra TourZ Green 6-M4 5-wood: Ping G440...
Eric Cole WITB 2026 (June)
Driver: PXG Lightning Tour Max (9 degrees) Shaft: Project X Titan Yellow 70 TX 3-wood: TaylorMade Qi4D (15 degrees) Shaft:...
Si Woo Kim WITB 2026 (May)
Driver: Callaway Quantum Triple Diamond (8.5 degrees) Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Black 6 X Mini driver: Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke Mini...
Wyndham Clark’s winning WITB: 2026 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
Driver: TaylorMade Qi4D (10.5 degrees) Shaft: Project X Titan Yellow 60 TX 3-wood: TaylorMade Qi4D Tour (15 degrees) Shaft: Project...
RumtumTim
Mar 3, 2014 at 7:17 pm
I wonder- could the Foley swing be bad for his back? Is it wiser to protect the knee or protect the back?
Ponjo
Mar 3, 2014 at 1:09 pm
Golfers only withdraw when scores are bad.
Christian
Mar 7, 2014 at 2:33 pm
Very true in my opinion, bad back or not. Tiger won the US Open with a hurt knee, if he was doing much better on Sunday, no doubt he’d have stayed in. I’m a huge Rory fan but even I know last year when he withdrew he obviously wasn’t enjoying himself that round. As long as it doesn’t happen every other month, it’s no big deal.
billy
Mar 3, 2014 at 11:28 am
His short game is very average during most rounds now…I dare say its below the field in some events. If he does not recapture the magic somehow it will be a slow demise and end of a stellar golf career.
Nothing to be ashamed of for sure but there will always be that JD type question hanging low on the tree…
What if?
scott f
Mar 3, 2014 at 9:46 am
His injuries seem to be more frequent not less since he’s been bulking up. He looks as bulked this yar than I can ever remember. Rory is ripped but not bulky. Guess he needs to figure put whether he wants to beat Jack or try out for Mr Universe. Also at his age should be more focused on just core strength and stretching/yoga.
Scott
mlamb
Mar 3, 2014 at 9:09 am
“It’s no secret Woods is looking ahead to the Masters.”
This is why he is not going to win. No winning team overlooks games against lesser opponents prior to a more important matchup against a rival.
marty
Mar 3, 2014 at 11:31 am
uh, golf is not a team sport. those rules do not apply.
mlamb
Mar 3, 2014 at 1:15 pm
yes, it does. his lack of competitive play before the honda was pretty telling on wednesday, thursday, and (arguably) sunday.
simply saying “he’ll be ready for the masters” is stupid. he is far from mid-season form and there are many, many talented players in the field who have been on the grind since january.
mlamb
Mar 3, 2014 at 1:16 pm
edit: meant thursday, friday, and arguably sunday
Jack
Mar 4, 2014 at 10:43 am
No it is not like other sports. You get to a peak to perform for a tournament and do your best that way. No argument here. It’s why they all schedule around the majors…
Large chris
Mar 3, 2014 at 8:43 am
Only he knows the extent of his injury, but to have only one more start before the masters…. Is he sick of golf? Or more likely everything that goes with being who he is.
I think he has always been a very hard worker, and generally enjoys the practice, but that plus his workouts are leaving him too tired and jaded to compete.
More competitive golf, less practice and working out, fewer press and sponsor commitments, and he can play great again.
larry wilson
Mar 3, 2014 at 8:43 am
Tiger just didn’t want to post a 80.
Forsbrand
Mar 3, 2014 at 2:21 am
But don’t worry, he’ll be in great shape come the Masters in April ready for another major title! Well done Russell Henley great win
Johan
Mar 4, 2014 at 12:56 am
Är det du Anders?
Sean
Mar 3, 2014 at 12:08 am
I think the whole field was plagued with injury today. I feel sorry for Tiger. At least he has a reason for playing poorly. The rest of the field should be happy that he had a bad day. Otherwise it was his to win. At least his poor performance was due to legitimate continual issues. I don’t know what to think of the pathetic rounds I saw with the healthy one’s on the course but, wow.
Charles
Mar 3, 2014 at 7:18 am
His to win?, where we watching the same tournament?
heinket
Mar 3, 2014 at 10:58 am
He was never in contention!! This was not his tournament to win.
steve dawson
Mar 3, 2014 at 10:16 pm
his to win? sober up before posting next time..
Philip
Mar 2, 2014 at 10:05 pm
LMAO, ok you covered all the angles … woe is a society that is so predictable