News
Tiger Woods, at Barack Obama’s urging, to design Chicago course
Per a report in the Chicago Tribune, Tiger Woods and his TGR Design have been charged with developing a golf course on Chicago’s South Side. The land, which is currently home to Jackson Park and South Shore Golf courses, is expected to be turned into a PGA Tour-quality venue.
“This project can create incredible possibilities for the community on the South Side,” Tiger Woods said in a statement. “We want to design a course that everyone will enjoy.”
And another interesting element of TGR Design’s first foray into the Midwest: President Barack Obama, with his Chicago ties, reportedly made a personal call to Woods prodding him to be a part of the project.
Development is slated to get under way this year and the estimated date of course completion is 2020. Few details on the planned course are available at present, but the expected 7,300-plus yard track could be accompanied by a short par-three course, continuing the “recreational addition” trend in Woods’ recent designs (The Playgrounds at Bluejack National and The Oasis at El Diamante).
According to the Chicago Tribune report, Woods took a tour of the property with Mark Rolfing, who is also involved with the project, in August.
“The course will have tremendous shot values, which is obviously very important to Tiger,” Rolfing said. “This will be his first design that gets tested in competition; what his colleagues and peers think will be important to him.”
In conjunction with the project, Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel is expected to announce the formation of the Chicago Parks Golf Alliance Sunday. The CPGA will be dedicated to improving Chicago Park District courses and golf facilities in addition to raising money for the Jackson Park effort.
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...
Desmond
Jan 9, 2017 at 2:01 pm
If it works for the community and advances the game, why not?
All done. Yuck.
Dec 23, 2016 at 4:29 pm
I hoped these comments would be moved to the forums just like the comments on the trump story, but no, GolfWRX appears to enjoy readers making racist comments. See you boys again, never. I got kids. Like I want to explain to them why some fool calls the president of the United States count Chocula. Shameful. It’s been a week. You guys moved to protect Trumps ego within hours. I guess you know your audience, which no longer includes me.
Sableen Maleek
Dec 21, 2016 at 11:05 pm
What is your criteria for deleting readers comments? Facts can be hurtful, I can appreciate that. Let’s put up more cover for Obama, Golfwrx, just as the media does on a daily basis. However, it didnt fool the American people, did it?
Christosterone
Dec 21, 2016 at 11:16 am
What’s a race card and where can I get one?
-Christosterone
Just sayin
Dec 21, 2016 at 12:41 am
The veiled racism on this comment section… the city has crime, they shouldn’t get golf courses? Bubba, they call it civil rights, we’re all equal up here.
TDBACH
Dec 21, 2016 at 10:07 am
No one crys “race card!” faster and louder than an out-and-out racist. Way to hold up the tradition, Bubba.
Jeff
Dec 20, 2016 at 10:16 pm
I live in downtown Chicago. MORE GOLF!! This is awesome!###@!@!
Jeff
Dec 20, 2016 at 9:39 pm
Wtf happened to Golfwrx doesn’t allow political comments outside the forums.
Adam
Dec 20, 2016 at 7:46 pm
Even money says that The Count Chocula of chicago gets the taxpayers to pay for it and he gets tiger double his normal fee??!!
Adam
Dec 19, 2016 at 8:12 pm
Golfwrx needs to clean up or delete this comment section today.
Barry
Dec 19, 2016 at 1:12 am
President Obama should sign an executive order on his way out the door granting himself a lifetime exemption to The Masters to go along with his Nobel Peace Prize.
tom
Dec 18, 2016 at 10:11 pm
Obama hasn’t done much, if anything, to curb the murder epidemic in Chicago, but a golf course will fix things. Way to go, Barry!
Bert
Dec 18, 2016 at 5:57 pm
Great replay – keep talking!
Bert
Dec 18, 2016 at 6:00 pm
Great Replay Barry
Bert
Dec 18, 2016 at 6:17 pm
Dang! Let me see if I can get my Reply correct. This is my third try; not that it matters. I’d like to see Tiger design and build a course in Chicago; especially if will improve the community and provide access for all to a great game.
Jubba Bones
Dec 18, 2016 at 3:45 pm
*Polloi
James
Dec 18, 2016 at 1:55 pm
Maybe this will make the south side a desirable destination!
ooffa
Dec 18, 2016 at 6:50 am
Tiger signature design element. Easy access to parking lot for quick WD’s
golfho
Dec 17, 2016 at 8:02 pm
What an upstanding group! Lets add Chicago southside residents Jeff Fort and Larry Hoover to this honorable group. Nice little scenic drive when you exit the Ryan Expressway or Lakeshore Drive…What a typical Chicago operation.
Tal
Dec 17, 2016 at 6:02 pm
You’re just jealous. If Jack, Norman, Faldo, Monty, Palmer, Earnie and tons of other golfers can design/help to design a course, why can’t Tiger?
Jubba Bones
Dec 18, 2016 at 3:44 pm
You actually agreed with him in your first sentence you muppet!!
Tal
Dec 18, 2016 at 5:48 pm
You mean all of the logistical stuff that no one other than a specialist would be qualified enough to do? Duh! Do you really think everyone believes that a pro golfer’s involvement in course design stretches as far as maintenance issues? They probably get in there, they tell someone what they want the course to look, feel and play like, they add 25 bunkers per hole if their name is Greg Norman and they oversee/approve designs. The rest is left to the experts. Then the pro gets their name on the course, people want to play on it and Beau Welling walks away with a ton of money and, as agreed upfront, none of the credit. I don’t think he needs you to defend his honour and you’re not shattering any great illusion here.
Jubba Bones
Dec 18, 2016 at 6:46 pm
Norman: I think we need more bunkers.
Real course designer: But Greg, we already added in 100 from when you last visited.
Norman: Just make it happen. You remember what happened to the last chatty course designer don’t you?
Real course designer: Yes, sir.
Tal
Dec 18, 2016 at 9:51 pm
Usually some pretty good courses though!
Buck
Dec 19, 2016 at 8:36 am
Yeah, the professionals just love the Oaks course at TPC San Antonio.
Jubba Bones
Dec 19, 2016 at 6:41 pm
Yeah. He might be a one trick pony but it is a pretty good trick.
RollTheRock
Dec 20, 2016 at 1:46 pm
Well said
Jeb Springfield
Dec 17, 2016 at 5:57 pm
The city of Chicago, Obama, and Rahm involved…can only imagine how over budget, and late this project will be.
dWakawaka
Dec 17, 2016 at 11:49 am
Adding a short par-3 track – and I would hope a good practice area – makes the course as a whole sound like a more inviting and fun place for kids and people new to the game to develop some skills. If I were designing a course, I would put a lot of thought into those areas where people could learn the game and practice effectively, esp. the short game, and maybe even have fun at the same time.