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Tour Mash: Inbee Park wins Olympic Gold in convincing fashion

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Two shining weeks of Rio Olympic golf closed with the conclusion of the Women’s championship, while other events were contested in the Czech Republic, North Carolina, Tennessee, and Ontario. The PGA Tour qualified its final golfers into the Tour Championship series while the women looked toward their next major, the Evian Championshp in France. The amateur men crowned their U.S. national champion, and we retrieved our blender after a week off and came up with this tasty tour mash for you.

Inbee Park claims Olympic gold in women’s golf

The unique value of an Olympic medal was not lost on anyone on Saturday. Some golfers wanted it so much yet came up short. Others found the proper balance of emotion and execution. In the end, Korea’s Inbee Park triumphed by 5 strokes at 16-under par, with Lydia Ko of New Zealand claiming silver, and Shan-Shan Feng of China wearing bronze.

Park was never threatened on day four as she made a triumphant return to the winner’s podium. A thumb injury had reduced her from championship form to an afterthought, but Park’s total command of the Olympic course was a powerful reminder of the dominance she exerted on women’s golf over the past 5 years. Lydia Ko never quite connected her putting stroke to the Brazilian greens, but her effort was enough to secure a silver medal. On day four, Shan-Shan Feng surged just enough to edge a stroke beyond three other golfers and avoid a playoff for the bronze medal.

As for Team USA, well, Lexi Thompson took until round 4 to figure things out (T19), Gerina Piller cared too much in a closing 74 (dropped from 3rd to T11) and Stacy Lewis came up one inch short of a playoff for bronze, one of the trio at -9.

Si Woo wins in Greensboro while others qualify on

Si Woo Kim turned to the tenth hole on Sunday in 4-under par, 23 strokes deep for the tournament, but would later falter — maybe it was because he saw Mr. 58, Jim Furyk, in the rearview mirror. He bogeyed three of his first four holes on the inward nine, setting the gallery up for an exciting finish. A weather delay near the end of the round added to the drama, as well.

The young Korean golfer bounced immediately back with a 15th-hole birdie, and Furyk stumbled. Although Luke Donald would reach 16-under for second place, Kim closed with a punch worthy of Connor McGregor, birdieing the 18th for a five-stroke win. Hideki Matsuyama and Brandt Snedeker finished in a third-place tie, one behind Donald.

Kyle Stanley and Shawn Stefani moved inside the top-125 to advance to the FedEx Cup playoffs. For Stefani, the result was especially poignant, as the result secured his tour card for 2016-17. Dropping out of the playoffs were Matt Jones and Whee Kim, numbers 124 and 125 heading into the week.

Czech Masters title on European Tour in hands of Peterson

Every element of the 2016 Czech Masters pointed to Thomas Pieters defending his 2015 title. The Belgian had placed 4th at the Olympics and was on a course that suited his game. When he took the 3rd round lead, it seemed that the script was written. American Paul Peterson, however, was in charge of the rewrite and he gave the tournament a different ending.

Pieters has had trouble closing the deal this year. While his final-round 70 was a fine effort, it wasn’t enough to hold off the fast-charging Peterson. The Oregon State product had seven birdies on the day. More important, after each of his two bogeys, he bounced back with a birdie. Pieters bogeyed the par-five first hole, then played 3-under golf the rest of the way. Both he and Peterson birdied the closing hole. Pieters ended three strokes ahead of third-place finishers David Howell and Ryan Evans.

A lot of Luck at the U.S. Amateur 

The final match of the U.S. Amateur at Oakland Hills brought together two unique competitors; Brad Dalke of the University of Oklahoma matched up with Curtis Luck of Australia. Dalke committed to OU in 2010…when he was a seasoned human of 12 years of age. Talk about precocious! Luck, on his official Twitter account, describes himself as “growin’ beards,” specifically Mirin decent beards (whatever those might be!). After the morning round of 18 holes, the golfers were tied. Each finalist had won five holes in round one, setting the stage for a memorable afternoon.

Dalke burst from the lunchroom gate with a birdie to take a one-up lead. Unmoved, Luck went on one of the all-time great tears, winning 8 consecutive holes. His ridiculous run was highlighted by an eagle 3 on hole 2, birdies on 5 and 7, and pars on the rest. It’s not the Dalke played poorly, he just didn’t play well enough to win a single hole during the stretch. To his credit, Dalke made consecutive pars on holes 10 and 11 to cut the deficit to 5 holes. Luck returned to form, finishing birdie-par-par over the final three holes of the match to win the title, 6 and 4. Both golfers earned return trips to the 2017 Amateur, along with expected invitations to next year’s Masters and U.S. Open tournaments.

J.J. Spaun surges to back-nine win at News Sentinel Open

After nine holes on Sunday, Sam Ryder had increased his lead over J.J. Spaun by one stroke. Both golfers were in search of their first 2016 wins on the Web.Com Tour, although for Ryder, the stakes were higher. While Spaun held down the 5th spot on the Tour money list, Ryder was farther back, in 55th place. Ryder’s back nine turned out to be an acceptable one, three birdies against two bogeys. Unfortunately for him, Spaun awakened.

Spaun graduated from PGA Tour Canada to the Web.Com Tour, winning once last season. He used that experience over Fox Den’s final nine holes, marking five birdies against no bogeys on his card, to surge past Ryder by one slim stroke. Both golfers laid up on the par-five 18th hole, facing birdie putts of 12 feet for Spaun and 8 feet for Ryder.

As they say in golf, first in wins, and Spaun made certain that his putt dropped for birdie. Ryder could not counter and the victory was Spaun’s. With the victory, Spaun moved inside the top three on the money list. Although he didn’t win, Ryder’s runner-up finish was enough to move him inside The 25 who earn a PGA Tour card at the end of the regular season.

Mackenzie Tour-PGA Canada’s National Capital Open lasts 8 extra holes

Manav Shah and Jonathan Khan found out what pressure feels like in the final round of the National Capital Open. After lighting up the Hylands Golf Club in Ottawa for three rounds, they collapsed to 77 and 78, respectively, and tumbled down the leader board. Eager to exploit the opening was a trio of competitors.

Samuel Del Val and Adam Cornelson avoided the big numbers on Sunday, each posting 1-under on the day. Brock Mackenzie, inspired by the tour that bears his name, went deeper, reaching 3-under for the final 18. The result was three golfers at 15-under par, one stroke ahead of a quartet of pretenders. Off to the par four 18th went the trio, twice! After six pars, the playoff moved to the par-three third hole. Both Mackenzie and Del Val made birdie, but Cornelson stumbled to bogey and was eliminated.

It took two more visits to each hole (18 and 3) before Mackenzie was able to strike for another birdie and seize victory. Both Mackenzie and Cornelson firmed their grasp on their spots in The Five — the golfers who earn a Web.Com Tour card at season’s end. Del Val has a way to go, but moved inside the top-20 on the Order of Merit with his runner-up finish.

Ronald Montesano writes for GolfWRX.com from western New York. He dabbles in coaching golf and teaching Spanish, in addition to scribbling columns on all aspects of golf, from apparel to architecture, from equipment to travel. Follow Ronald on Twitter at @buffalogolfer.

2 Comments

2 Comments

  1. Rob

    Aug 22, 2016 at 1:00 pm

    Inbee Park a swing no one copies YET…….

    • Steve

      Sep 28, 2016 at 4:46 pm

      Love that swing, prove positive how hand eye coordination trumps swing mechanics every time…..Inbee lets us all know when you have the talent you can do it your way…

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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

WITB 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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