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Tour Rundown: DJ, Drewitt, and more
Feel like you’re watching a movie with a convoluted plot structure? That’s 2020—and yesterday was Labor Day. The U.S. Open takes place in two weeks, and the Tour Championship concluded…yesterday. The Mackenzie Tour (PGA Tour Canada) finishes an abbreviated, four-tournament schedule next week, one month after it began. The Korn Ferry Tour Championship took place last week, yet there are five events scheduled after it. The only way to cap this season would be to play the Old Course at St. Andrews in reverse. Actually, that would cap any season. Haven’t seen the clockwise routing in years.
This week’s Tour Rundown brings names like Pistorius, Catlin, and Drewitt to the headlines, and wonders aloud, can Dustin Johnson dominate the playoffs? With more golf to be played this fall, culminating in a November Masters in Augusta, we’ve much to anticipate this week and beyond, so let’s run it all down.
Tour Championship and FedEx Cup title to Mr. DJ
It’s implausible that Dustin Johnson continue to receive the Rodney Dangerfield treatment of No Respect after the 2020 golf season. He has won at least once in every full season since he turned professional, in late 2007. The Palmetto Powerhouse has 23 victories and a U.S. Open title to his name. Johnson is now one behind Gary Player and two back of Johnny Miller. This week, DJ added another laurel to his list of achievements, by nabbing the FedEx title that Rory McIlroy stole from him, this time last year.
Johnson began championship week as the number one seed, a position that saw him begin at 10-under par. Behind him was Jon Rahm at minus-nine. The Spaniard had a rotten day two, and try as he might, could only return to 4th spot, after 66s in rounds three and four. Justin Thomas and Xander Schauffele tied for second behind the tall timber, with Schauffele posting the best four-round score of the week (265.) Johnson played the type of controlled golf that wins big events. His play this week makes him one of the favorites at both Winged Foot and Augusta National, sites of the year’s final two major events. Johnson is easily deserving of multiple major titles but, as Greg Norman and others might say, deserving and possessing are two different species.
Lincoln Land Championship to Drewitt by one
Brett Drewitt might be cautiously thrilled that the Korn Ferry Tour will play beyond the Tour Championship this season. The Aussie has embodied the moniker of journeyman since he turned professional some seven years back. He has seen the locker rooms of the world’s major tours, and been promoted and demoted with regularity. This week, he took a step in the proper direction by holding off three golfers by a single stroke, to claim the Lincoln Land Championship.
Charlie Saxon began the week with a 61, and held his lead through 54 holes. A closing 73 dropped him to a tie for 7th spot. Anders Albertson emulated Saxon in round two, signing for a 62. He entered the final round in 2nd place, but also wilted on day four. His 71 caused him to soar from 2nd to 5th position. The top four finishers all made a move of at least one place, with Drewitt moving from 3rd slot overnight. The closing holes were a challenge for all, and England’s Harry Hall came to the last in a tie with Drewitt. He made bogey there, to tumble into a tie for the runner-up spot. Joining him on the podium’s second level were two USA golfers, Ben Kohles and Austin Treslow. The tour continues on to the Evans Scholars Invitational, near Chicago, next week.
Andalucia Masters: Catlin claims first Euro title
2020 represents the highs and lows of golf for John Catlin. In August, he and his caddie were defaulted from the English Championship after they patronized a local restaurant. They had violated the European Tour’s Covid-19 Bubble protocol. Four weeks later, Catlin found himself atop the Andalucia Masters leader board through 54 holes, tasked with holding off Martin Kaymer if he wished to secure an inaugural, European Tour win. Piece of quarantined cake, right?
Kaymer is familiar with pressure. He has won two major titles and played on numerous international squads. Catlin boasts neither of those credentials. They and the rest of the field met a compounded task: Valderrama at its toughest. The site of the 1997 Ryder Cup gave golfers fits all week. Until Lee Westwood (out of contention) posted 67 in round four, no one had gone lower than minus-three all week long. That 67, by the way, lifted Lee 51 spots into a tenth-place tie.
Sunday revealed itself to be a battle of the bogies. Catlin made 4 of them, to go with his 14 pars. Incredibly, he won. Challengers Lorenzo Gagli and Jamie Donaldson posted 78s, and dropped into Westwood territory. Kaymer was a game opponent all day long, until he stumbled with three bogies over the final six holes. His five at the last was the gut-wrenching nail in the coffin. Catlin was able to par the closing quartet of holes, a stretch that moved him from one behind to one in front, of the great German champion. The European Tour plays on next week, moving westward to Portugal for that country’s Open championship.
CLS at TPC Toronto to Pistorius by one
Albert Pistorius must be thrilled that the Canada Life Series will close the tour season with its championship … on precisely the same course where the South African held off three challengers to win his first event of the ever-so-short season. Pistorius snagged the lead on Saturday with a seven-under par 64, then threatened to run away with the TPC Toronto event by making eagle-par-birdie to open up a commanding lead at ten under par. Just like that, the magic went partly away, and Pistorius struggle with four bogeys the rest of the way. A pair of back-nine birdies allowed him to return minus-eight. His 205 through 54 holes was enough to hold off Andrew Funk and Callum Davison of the host country. As suggested above, the Canada Life Series will end its run this week, as it again challenges the field with the Osprey course at TPC Toronto, in suburban Caledon.
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...
