News
Kelly Tilghman leaving Golf Channel after 22 years
Kelly Tilghman is stepping away from Golf Channel after a 22-year run at the network. The Myrtle Beach native has been a less visible presence on air in recent years.
The first woman to serve as play-by-play announcer for a PGA Tour event, Tilghman announced Wednesday that this will be her last week at Golf Channel.
Tilghman began working at the network in 1996 in the tape library, starting just a year after Golf Channel’s inception. Her departure leaves Mike Ritz and Rich Lerner as the only remaining on-air talents from the channel’s early years.
Golf Channel released this statement.
After 22 years, Kelly Tilghman is signing off from Golf Central this Sunday. She has been a trailblazer for female broadcasters and we thank her for her immeasurable contributions. Please enjoy her “A very fond farewell” column. https://t.co/Kd988ZA5lk pic.twitter.com/oxtGVNRCCh
— Golf Channel PR (@GolfChannelPR) March 14, 2018
Tilghman told Golfweek’s Forecaddie she’s not done with television just yet.
“This process was very peaceful for me…I can’t imagine a scenario where I would never be on television again.”
In a farewell letter published on Golf Channel’s website, Tilghman wrote about the decision to step away at Bay Hill.
“It’s the perfect spot for so many obvious reasons. Arnold’s family will be there. My Golf Channel and NBC family will be there. I know you will too, like you always have. I’ll forever cherish the memories we’ve built together.”
You can read her full letter here, which includes the Arnold Palmer anecdote below.
“Enter Arnold Palmer. I’ll never forget that day in the early years when he paid our tiny newsroom a surprise visit. It was an honor to be in his presence. One could only imagine how I felt when he put his hand on my shoulder and whispered, “I hope you believe in this place as much as I do.”
“Yes, Arnold, I did.”
See what GolfWRX members are saying about Tilghman’s departure in the forums.
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...
Foley
Apr 11, 2024 at 5:07 pm
I really don’t get it after what she said about tiger,nasty comments.
What tiger has going on in his life nothing to do with Tillman, when I turned on masters today,I said to my wife is that Tillman that stupid commentator, I quickly tuned the channel, Tillman go get lost
Brandel Duval
Apr 6, 2021 at 3:38 pm
Kelly I wish you the best of luck for you and that giant P E N I S of yours.
steve
Feb 5, 2019 at 4:44 pm
I didn’t like her Tiger comment, what a terrible blunder, what a total idiot, glad she’s gone!
jc
Dec 13, 2018 at 5:41 pm
played her parents course back in the 70s in myrtle beach…now it is a shopping center…gator hole I believe was the name
joro
Jul 6, 2018 at 9:25 pm
if only she could take Rich ‘the schnoz” Lerner with her. Good Luck for the future Ms. Tighlman. Say, I still have the mag with you picture with a noose on the front. lol
Thankgodsheisstillgone
Aug 2, 2018 at 2:59 pm
Not sure what to use the mute button for now??
Bob Jones
Jun 25, 2018 at 11:41 am
Yes, she made she mistakes, but she was always gracious and respectful, a quality lacking in many of the announcers we now have.
steve
Feb 5, 2019 at 4:42 pm
Her “mistake” was not a mistake, rather a disgusting comment and she should’ve been fired immediately. Glad she’s gone, good riddance…
Dave r
Jun 16, 2018 at 9:41 am
Will miss the fine person she was. A whole lot better than hair man Brandel boy or Joe Buck from fox lord these two are the most look at me I’m good at nothing two goofs on tv.
One-Iron
May 19, 2018 at 9:59 am
I literally laughed out loud on some these comments about Kelly Toughman. Thanks for the laughs 😉
ThankGodShe’sGone
Apr 23, 2018 at 6:22 pm
Worked way too hard to sound like a man while doing such a horrible job calling golf. Funny enough, while trying to sound like a man she also pretended to fawn all over Faldo and Palmer…it made no sense. When working the golf central desk she did not work as hard to sound like a man. Thank god she is gone!!! Hope she takes the manlady who is calling nfl football with her.
joro
Apr 4, 2018 at 12:43 pm
Goodbye Kelly, and take the Schnoz with you.
Magavin
Mar 20, 2018 at 11:26 am
Man tough crowd. Hilarious but tough.
joe
Mar 19, 2018 at 1:07 pm
She was very bland with her talking, I could’ve done that job for a nice six-figure salary. Why are TV broadcasters so revered and paid so much $$? Strange.
Kelly also was the dummy who made that racy remark about Tiger, I believe.
Jack Nash
Mar 19, 2018 at 12:10 pm
Keep Kelly and Dump Lerner. He’s a poor man’s (very poor) interpretation of the late Great Jack Whittaker. Lerner is an Overbearing, condescending, know it all, that doesn’t. Asking Rory after his win about working out so hard was a shot at Miller for mentioning during the broadcast that his swing was better pre workouts. Nope, Lerner needs to be dumped. Kelly is much more favorable and even handed as an on air persona.
Greg
Mar 26, 2018 at 12:08 pm
Never heard that comparison before but you are correct – Lerner does remind me of the great jack Whittaker. Good call
Hans Skrillex
Mar 18, 2018 at 11:25 am
Heard she’s a muff diver.
SImms
Mar 17, 2018 at 8:15 pm
Very fine job, MS. Tilghmen, always was very Professional at her job…think about the way she presented herself over the last 20 years compared to the group we see on the Golf Channel now…no comparison…
Vic
Jun 27, 2018 at 2:13 pm
Well said.
Styx Hexanhammer
Mar 16, 2018 at 4:40 pm
LOL
joro
Mar 16, 2018 at 1:50 pm
Goodbye Kelly, and take the Schnoz Lerner with you.
Charlie Daniels
Mar 16, 2018 at 12:36 pm
Her voice is deeper than Darth Vaders, and she has a bulge down low that would make a horse jealous. But really I think you’re all just grasping for straws.
Scott McDonald
Mar 15, 2018 at 10:23 pm
Kelly has been a gracious hostess for many years. Good insight as a former player. Well liked by Tiger and Mr. Palmer. Never tough on players but that was her role. Don’t be a stranger??
Austin Powers
Mar 15, 2018 at 10:16 pm
That’s no woman, that’s a man baby!
Bobby Blanks
Mar 15, 2018 at 12:38 pm
Kelly was a true pioneer and we should always respect what she has done for the golf community. Being the first ever Trans TV personality is tough.
Dalenchmob
Mar 15, 2018 at 10:07 pm
Haha 🙂
John Ford
Mar 15, 2018 at 10:24 am
Wish Kelly nothing but the best in her future endeavours. Hopefully she now has the time to get rid of that pen is of hers.