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Winners and Losers at the US PGA

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We knew it was going to be good but few had any idea that it would be this good. On a course that veered from the sublime to the ridiculous, the golfing gods blew into town and there was thunder and lightning to match anything the skies could offer.

The Winners

Padraig Harrington
The transformation is complete from a player that seemed to finish 2nd more than anybody else to a steely-eyed, ice-blooded winner. Gone is the expression of pleasantly bemused surprise and instead is the face of a man whose relentless practice, iron will and titanic mental strength has seen him win 3 majors in 13 months. The best clutch putter on tour at the moment.

Sergio Garcia
What can you tell someone who shoots the third lowest round of the final day and still loses to the same person who beat him the last time he was in contention for a major. After the carnage of The Open last year, he played some scintillating golf to fight his way to the top. Only at the death did he blink before the other guy.

Ben Curtis
The quiet man was back to his best of 5 years ago when he won The Open and deservedly played his way into the Ryder Cup team. An unconventional swing to say the least but showed that it could be devastatingly effective.

Charlie Wi
He had the best seat in the house for 9 holes of the most compelling golf ever and he was there because he earned it. Playing in his first PGA Championship at the age of 35, being 4th after the third round was a great achievement and his 9th place was no less than he deserved.

The Losers

Colin Montgomerie
Missed the cut 5th from last at +20. Surely the chance has gone for one of the most gifted of European players to win that major that has always eluded him.

Phil Mickelson
It might be a little harsh to have Philly Mick in this category as his 7th place would be a cause for celebration for pretty much anybody else in the world but with Tiger out, the expectation that Phil would exert his dominance was obviously too much. Never seemed to get going.

JB Holmes
Looked destined to play his way into history when his bloodcurdling drives and great short game but then came up short himself blowing up with a final round of 81 dropping him 27 places to 29th place. Looking to take the title of slowest player on the PGA, his ready-steady-pause…ready-no-not-yet…ready-set-hey-caddie-what-do-you think behaviour is becoming infuriating.

PGA of America
Ruined the fantastic Oakland Hills for the first 2 days before finally salvaging the course into the glorious set up it should have been just in time for the final round. While not quite Shinnecock of 2004, greens and flag positions were heavily mismatched. Drives that landed in the fairway would run through into a first cut of rough that was too punitive and wild drives would land in trodden areas giving perfect lies. Also gave one of the most inept and dismissive presentation ceremonies ever and appeared desperate to let the TV paymasters hurry off to whatever reality show is currently doing the rounds.

3 Comments

3 Comments

  1. Tim Schoch

    Aug 17, 2008 at 8:33 pm

    I just don’t understand what Tiger’s absence has to do with Phil’s performance, or anyone’s. Are these pros, or not? Phil is performing as he always does—good, bad, bad, bad, okay, good, bad, etc. Was Tiger holding the poor boy back? LOL, I really don’t think so. He’s currently in a downtime.

    I think we’re spoiled by Tiger’s consistency. No one else is that steady and ready every week. Although, check the FedEx points for steady surprises — Kenny Perry (not on the Winners list?), Kim, Cink, Vijay.

    Based on hype vs results, the loser list could be a mile long. Frankly, no one has let me down in the least (except Michelle, but only philosophically). I don’t expect great things, and I relish them when they happen. Thank you, Padraig.

  2. Adam

    Aug 17, 2008 at 1:48 am

    Michelle Wei should be in the loser list…..at the very top.

  3. bobsuruncle

    Aug 12, 2008 at 3:27 am

    On the one hand I couldn’t agree more with the comment about Phil. He had the best opportunity to enhance his reputation in Tiger’s absence but failed to do so. On the other hand, to be fair to Phil, the British Open (links golf) has never suited him, which means he had but one chance (the USPGA) to exert his dominance. He didn’t have a good week (and this could happen to anyone in any given week) yet still finished in the top 10. Nonetheless, it’s good to see a “new force” in golf in the form of the unassuming Padraig Harrington.

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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

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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