News

Morning 9: PGA Tour Players’ meeting details | Full Swing to return | LIV’s first tournament sponsor

Published

3 years ago

Mar 8, 2023

GolfWRX Staff

By Ben Alberstadt with Gianni Magliocco.

For comments: [email protected]

March 8, 2023

Good Wednesday morning, golf fans, as we inch closer to one of the biggest weeks on the golfing calendar at TPC Sawgrass.

1. PGA Tour players’ meeting provides clarity

Golf Channel’s Rex Hoggard…”About 50 PGA Tour members gathered in the palatial clubhouse at TPC Sawgrass just after dawn Tuesday for a meeting that will have a profound impact on the future of the circuit.

“Sweeping changes to the Tour schedule and qualification criteria that were first revealed last week were explained in greater detail to the membership over 90 minutes that, according to various players who attended the meeting, was not nearly as confrontational as some would have thought.”

“I think the temperature in the room was nowhere near as hot as I anticipated it to be once the information was sort of laid out,” said Rory McIlroy, one of five player directors on the Tour’s policy board, which approved the sweeping changes last week.”

“The Tour’s plan to transition to a designated-event model with limited fields and no cuts was first unveiled last week to growing concerns that the move would create a tour of “haves” and “have nots,” but more details on Tuesday led to, if nothing else, a general acceptance.”

“I’ll play 29 [mostly non-designated] events next year, which is awesome,” said one player who requested anonymity. “After hearing more details, I’m more comfortable [with the changes].”

Full piece.

2. Monahan: We aren’t like LIV

Mark Schlabach for ESPN…”While acknowledging that the emergence of the LIV Golf League led to radical changes on the PGA Tour, including future events with limited fields of 70 to 80 players and no 36-hole cuts, PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan insisted Tuesday that the rival circuits won’t be the same.”

“Speaking to reporters ahead of the Players at TPC Sawgrass on Tuesday, Monahan said that despite dramatic changes to the PGA Tour’s model for 2024 and beyond, it will still be vastly different from the LIV Golf League, which is built around 12 four-man teams competing in 54-hole tournaments with no cuts and shotgun starts.”

“I would ask you: ‘Do you think we really look the same?'” Monahan told a reporter when asked about the similarities between the circuits. “You know, the players that are competing in our events in this new format next year will have earned the right to compete in them and they will have earned it through top-50 position in the FedEx Cup this year, as well as their performance in the fall and ultimately in these swings. That’s what this organization has always stood for.”

Full piece.

3. JT on the main difference between the two

Adam Woodard for USA Today…”Ahead of this week’s flagship event at TPC Sawgrass, 2021 Players champion Justin Thomas was asked about the difference between the Tour’s new designated events and what LIV is doing. He didn’t hold back.”

“Well, we have an astronomically higher amount of quality players than they do in their events,” he said with a laugh. “I think all of us have not been shy to say it that, you know, this is stuff that we’ve been trying to do and have worked on. Obviously got sped up a crazy amount due to what was going on in the outside.”

“I don’t know, I mean if you’re just going to single out those events and have them only be the events we have, then, yeah, it’s extremely similar,” Thomas said of the no-cut designated events slated for 2024. “But there’s a lot more going on over the course of an entire year on the PGA Tour than just the elevated events, I would say.”

Full piece.

4. Mickelson claims Tour rejected his elevated events proposal

5. Full Swing Season 2

Adam Woodard for Golfweek…”As the battle between LIV Golf and the PGA Tour continues, the cameras are still rolling.”

“Both Netflix and PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan confirmed a second season on Tuesday, less than a month after season one was released.”

“A point of emphasis for our organization has been delivering the PGA Tour to fans where they are and making our sport more welcoming through innovation and strategic partnerships,” said Monahan during his press conference ahead of this week’s Players Championship. “Full Swing debuted to Netflix’s 230 million subscribers the week of the Genesis Invitational and has been consistently in the Netflix top 10 worldwide. As a result of such strong performance out of the gate, Netflix announced earlier this morning that they are officially green-lighting season two of Full Swing.”

Full piece.

6. Monahan admits defending champ’s absence is awkward

Michael McEwan for Bunkered…”Jay Monahan has admitted that Cam Smith’s absence from this week’s PLAYERS Championship has posed some awkwardness.”

“Also missing are last year’s runner-up Anirban Lahiri and third-placed Paul Casey, who, like Smith, have also aligned with the Saudi-funded enterprise.”

“Addressing the absence of Smith specifically, Monahan admitted that it was less than ideal to be staging the tour’s flagship tournament without its reigning champion.”

“Cameron Smith had a great performance in 2022,” he said. “He was a deserved champion. I think as I look to this week and I look at the field that we have here and the strength from top to bottom, I think when we leave here on Sunday night we’re going to crown another deserving champion.”

“Yes, it’s awkward but ultimately it’s a decision that he made. We’ve got an unbelievable field here this week and a history and tradition that one of these 144 is going to go seek to get.”

Full piece.

7. WGC Match Play officially gone…for now

Brentley Romine for Golf Channel: “As the PGA Tour rolls out its new designated events model, the World Golf Championships era appears to be over.Jordan Uppleger, the tournament director of the WGC-Dell Match Play, announced Monday that this month’s event at Austin Country Club would mark the last.”

“We’re formally announcing today that the 2023 World Golf Championship Dell Technologies Match Play will be the final playing of the event here at Austin Country Club, and not be included on the 2024 calendar or moving forward,” Uppleger said.”

“A day later during his press conference at TPC Sawgrass, PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan reiterated as much, but he didn’t rule out the addition of a match-play event in the future.”

“I think for right now, for next season’s schedule, it didn’t work,” Monahan said. “But match play has been a staple out here. It’s been a staple on the DP World Tour. I think that will certainly be a consideration as we go forward.”

“With the Match Play going away, that leaves the WGC-HSBC Champions in China as the only WGC event that the Tour is contracted to, though with that tournament being canceled each of the past three seasons because of the pandemic, Monahan said, “It’s difficult to foresee when we would play.”

Full piece.

8. LIV’s first tournament sponsor

Joel Beall for Golf Digest…”LIV Golf has announced its first tournament sponsor.”

“In a press release the Saudi-backed circuit wrote that Resorts World Sentosa, a hotel company based in Asia, is signing on to back the LIV Golf Singapore event. The Singapore stop is the fifth competition on LIV’s 14-tournament schedule and will be held in late April.”

“The news comes two weeks after the fledgling organization signed on EasyPost, a logistical and commerce company, to be the league’s global partner. EasyPost already had a presence in LIV Golf, as the firm is a sponsor of Patrick Reed.”

Full piece.

9. Photos from The Players

Check out all of our galleries from the PGA Tour’s Flagship event!

Full piece.

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

WITB Albums

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: PGA Tour Players’ meeting details | Full Swing to return | LIV’s first tournament sponsor

News

Morning 9: PGA Tour Players’ meeting details | Full Swing to return | LIV’s first tournament sponsor