Connect with us

News

Morning 9: Langers take PNC | Tiger: I can still win | How good is Charlie Woods?

Published

on

By Ben Alberstadt with Gianni Magliocco.

For comments: [email protected]

Good Monday morning, golf fans, as the last work week of the year for many has arrived.

1. Langer and son win PNC Championship

AP report…”Tiger Woods was an 18-year-old senior in high school when he made his first cut in a professional event at a European Tour event in Thailand. That also was the first time he played with Bernhard Langer.”

  • “Thirty years later, the ageless Langer is still going strong.”
  • “Langer capped off his memorable, record-setting year when he teamed with his son Jason to produce a 13-under 59 in 30 mph wind for a 2-shot victory over David Duval and his son.”
  • “Langer tied the PNC Championship record with his fifth title — three with Jason, two with older son Stefan — held by Raymond Floyd.”
Full piece.

2. Q-School final round postponed

Golf Digest’s Ryan Herrington…”Competitors at PGA Tour Q-School can put the Pepto Bismol on hold for another day as officials announced Sunday morning that the final round had been postponed until Monday.”

  • “TPC Sawgrass’ Valley course and Sawgrass Country Club, the two courses jointly holding the event in Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla., received more heavy rains overnight after getting several inches on Saturday. With more wet weather in the forecast, along with gusts expected to blow in the 40 m.p.h. range, the decision was made to wait a day partially out of fairness to the competitors who are playing for the livelihoods in 2024 and partially because of the work needed to get the courses back into playing shape.”
Full piece.

3. The “How good is Charlie Woods” question

Jay Coffin for Golf Digest…”it’s also wise to pump the breaks and realize how far Charlie has come in a relatively short time. Afterall, he mostly played soccer growing up in South Florida and it wasn’t until 2020—when COVID-19 locked down the world—that Charlie found a deeper passion for golf and started to take the game more seriously. That was only three years ago.”

  • “People need to quit comparing him to other kids who have been playing competitive golf for more time,” said a Golf Digest Top 50 Teacher in America. “People need to wait and see where he is in five years, 10 years.”
  • “…This was Charlie’s first year playing a full competitive junior schedule, playing mostly state and regional competitions.”
  • “Junior Golf Scoreboard, which has ranked junior golfers since the late 1990s, has Charlie ranked No. 1,326 out of a database of 10,616 juniors.”
Full piece.

4. Woods on Rahm’s LIV move

Golf Channel’s Rex Hoggard…”Jon Rahm’s defection to LIV Golf last week certainly wasn’t a surprise to Tiger Woods. It also wasn’t a surprise to anyone who’d been paying attention to social media, but that didn’t ease the blow for the15-time major champion.”

  • “There’s been a lot of talk over the years of certain players going [LIV Golf], and it was speculation until it happened because there’s been rumors of names going and not going, and whether they materialized or not,” Woods said Saturday following a soggy round at the PNC Championship. “We assumed it was just speculation until it happened.”
Full piece.

5. LIV Promotions event player takes on Q-School

Golf Channel’s Brentley Romine…”No matter the tour [Martin] Trainer begins on next year, he’s not expecting to miss any events because of suspension. He said he was denied a media release for the Promotions event because he missed the 45-day deadline. (LIV didn’t announced the Promotions dates until Oct. 26.)”

  • “Another form of punishment, however, is a likely outcome, Trainer added.”
  • “We talked about it,” Trainer said. “We’ll see what happens. They might fine me, who knows. … I don’t think it will be a suspension.”
  • “As Trainer stood outside the scoring area, on the upstairs patio of Sawgrass Country Club’s clubhouse, he reckoned that the two Q-Schools, LIV and PGA Tour, were not all that different – “Just golf with names that I’ve never heard of,” Trained said of LIV’s qualifying event. “It’s actually kind of amazing how many great players there are all over the world.”
  • “The PGA Tour hasn’t publicly commented on details of past LIV Golf-related punishments.”
Full Piece.

6. LIV Golf returning to Trump Doral

AP report…”Trump posted on the Truth Social site that his Trump National Doral near Miami would host a LIV Golf event in April. He did not mention the date, but the only opening on LIV’s schedule is for April 5-7, the weekend before the Masters.”

  • “LIV Golf did not immediately confirm Trump’s post that his Doral course had signed a deal. “The event they had at Doral in October was a major success!” he posted.”
Full Piece.

7. Kisner to make broadcasting debut

Adam Woodard for Golfweek…”Kevin Kisner is putting down the club and picking up the mic.”

  • “The four-time winner on the PGA Tour will serve as an analyst for NBC Sports at the Tour’s first event of the 2024 season, The Sentry, at the Plantation Course at Kapalua Resort in Maui, Jan. 4-7. Kisner will also cover the WM Phoenix Open at TPC Scottsdale, Feb. 8-11.”
Full Piece.

8. Tiger: I know I can still win

BBC report…”Tiger Woods believes he can still win on the PGA Tour but will only play one event per month in 2024 as he continues his recovery from ankle surgery.”

  • “The 15-time major champion has had a limited schedule since suffering a leg injury in a car crash in 2021.
  • “He carded a final-round 61 alongside his 14-year-old son Charlie at the PNC Championship in Orlando on Sunday.”
  • “If I’m able to practice and do the things I know I can do, and prepare, I know I can still do it,” Woods said.
Full Piece.

9. Winning WITBs: Team Langer

Presented by 2nd Swing

Bernhard Langer

Driver: Ping G400

3-wood: TaylorMade Stealth 2 Plus

Hybrid: Adams Idea Pro

Hybrid: Adams Idea Pro

Irons: Tour Edge Exotics CBX (4-6), Tour Edge Exotics Pro 723 (7-PW)

Wedges: Cleveland 588 RTX (56), Titleist Vokey Design Prototype (60)

Putter: Odyssey White Hot 2-Ball Long

Grips: Golf Pride Tour Velvet Cord

Ball: Titleist Pro V1x

Jacob Langer

Driver: Ping G400

3-wood: TaylorMade M1

Irons: TaylorMade P750 (3-PW)

Wedges: Callaway MD3 (56), TaylorMade MG (60)

Putter: Odyssey Metal X Milled No. 1

Grips: Golf Pride Tour Velvet Cord

Full WITBs.

Ben Alberstadt is the Editor-in-Chief at GolfWRX, where he’s led editorial direction and gear coverage since 2018. He first joined the site as a freelance writer in 2012 after years spent working in pro shops and bag rooms at both public and private golf courses, experiences that laid the foundation for his deep knowledge of equipment and all facets of this maddening game. Based in Philadelphia, Ben’s byline has also appeared on PGATour.com, Bleacher Report...and across numerous PGA DFS and fantasy golf platforms. Off the course, Ben is a committed cat rescuer and, of course, a passionate Philadelphia sports fan. Follow him on Instagram @benalberstadt.

Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Tour Photo Galleries

Photos from the 2026 Memorial Tournament

Published

on

By

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

 

 

Continue Reading

News

Tour Tech Rundown: Heroic Henley

Published

on

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

Continue Reading

News

Russell Henley’s winning WITB: 2026 Charles Schwab Challenge

Published

on

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

Continue Reading

Announcement

Our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use have been updated as of January 29th, 2026. Please review the updated policies here Privacy Policy | Terms of Use. By continuing to use our site after January 29th, 2026, you agree to the changes.

WITB

Facebook

Trending