News

Morning 9: Masters ratings | DJ’s master plan | The unique pain of die-hard Rory fans

Published

6 years ago

Nov 18, 2020

Ben Alberstadt

By Ben Alberstadt

Email me at [email protected]; and find me on Twitter and Instagram.

November 18, 2020

Good Wednesday morning, golf fans.

1. Masters ratings are in

Michael McCarthy for Front Office Sports…”With golf’s greatest tournament competing head-to-head with NFL programming for the first time, the 2020 Masters plunged to new lows in TV ratings and audiences.”

“CBS Sports’ telecast of Sunday’s final round averaged a 3.4 TV rating and 5.59 million viewers, according to Sports Media Watch. That was down 51% in ratings and 48% in viewership from Tiger Woods’ epic victory in 2019.”

“Dustin Johnson’s first Masters win generated the lowest-rated Masters Sunday since the pre-Arnold Palmer days of 1957, and the least-watched final round since that number started being tracked in 1995.”

“CBS’ Sunday Masters coverage was still the highest-rated and most-watched golf event of the year thus far, beating the 3.3 rating and 5.15 million average viewers for the final round of the 2020 PGA Championship won by Collin Morikawa in August.”

Full piece.

2. The pain of being a diehard Rory fan

Shane Ryan on the unique varietal of misery…”the fact that the whole show played out again—filling us with hope after we nearly gave up in the wake of that ugly opening round 75—was half sad, half infuriating, half wearying. Yes, that’s three halves. With Rory, we need them all. At least when Jordan Spieth fades, he has the courtesy to really fade, so you can reasonably set your expectations. Not Rory. Since his torrid 2014 stretch that made many of us think he was on the path to being on the game’s ultra-goats, has simultaneously remained one of golf’s absolute best players while missing that extra ephemeral something that makes a major champion.”

“That’s the problem, of course. Not that he never had it, and not even that he had it and lost it. It’s that he had it, and only kinda lost it.”

“When you combine his former glory with his personality—the following words have been written so much that they’re practically a cliche, but Rory is very intelligent and introspective by golf standards—it makes this shadow phase of his career, in which he is neither superlative nor merely good, tough to bear. To vanish for a period of years, as Spieth has, or as Martin Kaymer or countless others have done, is understandable. Golf is a hard game, and a psychological game, and even its great players are prone to disappearances and burnouts. But to seemingly lose about 7% of what made you great, and for that 7% to starkly redefine your professional experience for six years and counting, has to be the sharpest form of frustration. It is for his fans, at least—clearly, we still hold a torch. But for every late charge, for every “Rory comin’!” .gif, there’s always that errant shot to scuttle the fantasy, always that Thursday 75 to make the gap just a little too large.”

Full piece.

3. DJ’s plan

Golf Channel’s Mercer Baggs…“And while sitting in his green jacket, in which he does look pretty good, while talking about his victory for at least the fourth occasion – giving him time to process any of those pesky emotions – Johnson was pretty practical about his plan for the future.”

“He’s got Johnny Miller career numbers now. If he maintains his drive and his health, it could be a Tom Watson-type career (39 Tour wins, seven majors).”

“I feel like I’m not going to dial anything back. I feel really good about everything that I’m doing. I feel really confident in the golf game,” Johnson said. “I want to – my goal is to play for about, I don’t know, keeps getting shorter, but eight, nine, maybe 10 years, and then hang out with my kids and [fiancé] Paulina [Gretzky].”

“So until then, I’m going to work my butt off to be as good as I can.”

Full piece.

4. How Dustin got it done

Dallas Webster of V1 Sports ran the breakdown on DJ’s Masters win…”long drives are useless if they don’t also translate to greens in regulation. Johnson took full advantage of his driving performance by hitting more greens than anyone else in the field. Johnson hit 60 out of 72 greens in regulation, four more than his closest competitor. This adds up to more birdie putts than everyone else in the field, but Johnson was not just hitting greens. He was hitting it close. He also led the field in proximity to the hole. V1 Game can also measure proximity to the hole, highlighting just how solid the performance was. From 175-200 yards, Johnson averaged just 29 feet from the hole.”

“Johnson was long off the tee and accurate into the green, yet he still had to make putts and that’s an advantage he has never really taken during his career so far. Augusta’s putting surfaces are undulating and typically lightening fast. Bringing even the best putters in the world to their knees. Johnson has always been a streaky putter but his performance at Augusta was sensational. For the week, he had just a single three putt. He made all of his putts of six feet or less. He gained strokes putting for all distances less than 15 feet.”

Full piece.

5. The final word on Tiger’s Masters (and unfortunately that word is “pogostick”)

Daniel Rapaport at Golf Digest…”Woods still has the game to win majors. By that I mean: He can still hit all the shots. Watch him on the range, or in a practice round (when it’s warm out). He’ll even throw in little spurts like the one on Sunday, when he played Augusta’s last six holes in five under for the first time ever. The raw materials are there.”

“But having the raw materials isn’t enough. So much needs to go right for Woods to win these days. The course needs to be right. He needs to be on the right side of the draw. He needs to have four good body days in a row, which is far from a guarantee. And he simply cannot afford to have a disruption like the thunderstorm that delayed play on Thursday morning. With the shortage of daylight in mid-November, that three-hour delay meant Woods was going to have to play more than 18 holes on Saturday. The way it worked out timing-wise was awful: He had roughly an hour break between the last eight holes of his second round and the first hole of his third round—too much time to keep the foot on the gas, not enough time to do a full reset and restart the multi-hour process he needs to warm his body up.”

“Woods emerged from the clubhouse looking stiff as an old rusty pogostick, and that was that.”

Full piece.

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6. No. 1 Am in the world teeing it up at RSM

Davis Thompson will put a peg in the ground at Sea Island…Golfweek’s Julie Williams with a bit of background…”Thompson played the RSM Classic, the Tour stop at Sea Island Resort near his home in St. Simons Island, Georgia, in 2019. He finished 23rd that week. Traditionally, the winner of the prestigious Jones Cup gets the nod this week, but Thompson played the 2019 RSM despite finishing runner-up to Akshay Bhatia in a weather-shortened event that ended in a playoff. Since Bhatia had turned professional by the time the opportunity rolled around, the tournament committee reached out to Thompson, offering him an opportunity to play in the event as an amateur.”

“This year’s exemption came off a runaway, nine-shot victory at the 2020 Jones Cup. Things could not feel more familiar around this place, which Thompson said he has played 50 to 100 times.”

Full Piece

7. Cabot to build B.C. resort

Bob Weeks for TSN…“Cabot, the golf resort operator best known for its Links and Cliffs courses in Cape Breton, N.S., is set to announce a new Canadian course and resort in Revelstoke, B.C. The new facility, named Cabot Revelstoke, will be set in the Monashee and Selkirk Mountain ranges, known as a hotbed for skiing, especially heli-skiing. It will include world-class golf, resort hospitality and luxury real estate.”

Full Piece

8. (Way too) early look at 2021 Masters odds

This arrived in my inbox and, well, if you’re looking to lock in your 2021 Masters futures as early…c/o the oddsmakers at BetUS.com.pa…

Dustin Johnson +600
Rory McIlroy +850
Bryson DeChambeau +850
Justin Thomas +900
Jon Rahm +900
Brooks Koepka +1300
Xander Schauffele +1500
Patrick Reed +2300
Patrick Cantlay +2300
Collin Morikawa +2800
Hideki Matsuyama +2800
Tony Finau +2900
Bubba Watson +2900
Tyrrell Hatton +2900
Webb Simpson +3000
Matthew Wolff +3500
Jason Day +3500
Daniel Berger +3500
Tiger Woods +4000

Place your bets!

Tour Photo Galleries

Photos from the 2026 Memorial Tournament

Published

3 weeks ago

Jun 1, 2026

Ben A

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

2026 The Memorial – Monday #1

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Pullout Albums

News

Tour Tech Rundown: Heroic Henley

Published

4 weeks ago

Jun 1, 2026

Ronald Montesano

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

News

Russell Henley’s winning WITB: 2026 Charles Schwab Challenge

Published

4 weeks ago

May 31, 2026

GolfWRX Staff

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

GolfWRX

Morning 9: Masters ratings | DJ’s master plan | The unique pain of die-hard Rory fans

News

Morning 9: Masters ratings | DJ’s master plan | The unique pain of die-hard Rory fans

1. Masters ratings are in

2. The pain of being a diehard Rory fan

3. DJ’s plan

4. How Dustin got it done

5. The final word on Tiger’s Masters (and unfortunately that word is “pogostick”)

6. No. 1 Am in the world teeing it up at RSM

7. Cabot to build B.C. resort

8. (Way too) early look at 2021 Masters odds

Leave a Reply

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Morning 9: Masters ratings | DJ’s master plan | The unique pain of die-hard Rory fans

1. Masters ratings are in

2. The pain of being a diehard Rory fan

3. DJ’s plan

4. How Dustin got it done

5. The final word on Tiger’s Masters (and unfortunately that word is “pogostick”)

6. No. 1 Am in the world teeing it up at RSM

7. Cabot to build B.C. resort

8. (Way too) early look at 2021 Masters odds

Leave a Reply

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