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Tour Rundown: Sony and Dubai double week two fun
The second week of professional competition in 2024 joined a DP World Tour event in Dubai, with the PGA Tour’s second tournament of the new year. At this time of year, even the professionals still show the cobwebs from holiday time off with family. Drives go askew, approaches clank off edges, and putts miss low and high. In Dubai, two stalwart members of the European Ryder Cup side played gritty golf to the final putt, with plenty of birdies and a few of those miscues. In Hawaii, we met a Taiga named after a Tiger, along with a pack of other, hungry beasts. Ultimately, three of them locked horns in extra time, but which came away with the title?
PGA Tour @ Sony Open:
On Thursday afternoon, as the skies greyed, the temperature dropped, and the winds whipped, no one expected anyone to challenge Taylor Montgomery’s morning 64. For Cam Davis to convert five birdie putts over his final six holes was implausible, yet so it went. Unfortunately for Cam, Thursday was his Huzzah. Middle rounds of 70-70 saw a fleet of golfers sail past. Davis ultimately tied for 30th on 9 under par.
Despite the number of known commodities (Matsuyama, Aberg, Theegala, Fitzpatrick) in the field, the majority of challengers throughout the week on O’ahu fit the category of needing a breakthrough. Carl Yuan, Byeong Hun An, Grayson Murray, Erik Cole, and even the aforementioned Taiga Semikawa, came to Wai’alae in search of affirmation. With all the new metrics on the PGA Tour, reshuffling happens nearly every week, and a win can mean much more than a two-year exemption.
Scoring during the middle rounds was not as electric as day one thanks to an uptick in wind presence. By Sunday, the lead was 14 under par, but a bus full of challengers sat within a handful of strokes. Carl Yuan got it going early on day four. The man of one thousand swings was 6 under through 11 holes but gained but one more shot coming home. His T4 finish was his best ever. More on that T4 later. Also getting hot was former winner Russell Henley. The UGA Bulldog had the fanbase on 59 Watch, as he reached minus eight on the day through 13. Like Yuan, the closing stretch was humbling, and a plus-one, final five brought Henley back to Yuan and T4.
When Byeong Hun An ripped a 3-iron inside 15 feet for eagle on hole 18, then converted a two-putt for birdie, Henley and Yuan were finished. An stood at 17 under par. Behind him were Keegan Bradley, also at that number, and Grayson Murray, at -16. Birdie for Bradley meant victory, but his approach was too far away, and he settled for par. Murray pitched from 80 yards to two feet, converted, and joined An and Bradley in extra holes for the win.
The overtime session took precious little time to resolve itself. Three unfortunate drives led to two awkward approach shots and a lay-up. A pitching contest would ultimately sort out the winner and runners-up. Murray flinched first, leaving his 106-yard pitch nearly 40 feet from the hole. Bradley escaped the left bleachers to 17 feet, and An cozied up to four feet. Sometimes, however, Flinchers win.
Putting first, Grayson Murray calibrated speed, elevation, tilt, and grit perfectly. His fourth stroke ended four inches beneath the putting green, in the hole for birdie. Bradley’s putt stayed left of the hole, and An’s missed right. In a matter of a few minutes, Grayson Murray moved from afterthought to two-time PGA Tour winner, nearly seven years after his first victory.
Bringing the drama ??
An incredible call from @SiriusXMPGATOUR on Grayson Murray’s playoff victory @SonyOpenHawaii. pic.twitter.com/Z2tAFN7ymT
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) January 15, 2024
DP World Tour @ Dubai Invitational: Star-Crossed golfers paired in final round
Rory McIlroy began his 2024 with a magnificent 62 at Dubai Creek Resort. On day two, with an opportunity to build a sizable lead, he struggled to a score of 70. A quadruple-bogey seven on the par-3 eighth featured balls in the water from tee and drop zone. McIlroy recovered with three birdies on the inward half and maintained his lead.
On day three, England’s Tommy Fleetwood emerged from the pack of pursuers with an unblemished, eight-under round of 63. The many-time, Ryder Cup star seized the lead from McIlroy, and entered round four with a single-shot advantage. A few other challengers sat within five shots of the lead, but no one anticipated any result beyond a Rory-Tommy duel. And that’s what they received.
To be fair, South Africa’s Thristan Lawrence played himself into contention with a spectacle of a round. Seven birdies against zero bogies brought him to 18 under par on the week. His pairing with countryman Zander Lombard certainly had to help in the comfort category. His work would garner him a second-place tie. Meanwhile, in the final twosome, McIlroy also made seven birdies on the day, with Fleetwood counting five.
Either one could have separated from the other. Rory stumbled each time he got on a roll. Birdies at three and five were followed by a drive in the water and bogey at six. Three consecutive birdies from 11 to 13 were followed by a tee ball to two feet…and a soul-crushing three-putt. Finally, two more birdies at 15 and 17 saw yet another tee ball sail left into the water, for a third bogey of the round.
All of this would have been manageable for Rory, on another day. He would have matched Lawrence and gone into extra holes. Fleetwood’s one-shot advantage on the day stood up as he played conservative golf through 15 holes. His tee ball flew long at the final par three, and he failed to get up and down for a day-first bogey. It was at this point that the Ryder Cup hero was expected to break. Stardom in team events, but constant misfortune in individual ones.
Fleetwood didn’t break. Down one shot to his playing competitor with two holes to play, Fleetwood drained a massive, thirty-odd feet putt for birdie at 17, with McIlroy five feet away for a birdie of his own. On 18, after McIlroy rinsed his tee ball, Fleetwood scorched his driver to fairway center, putting all the world’s pressure on his opponent. Sensing opportunity, the Englishman ripped a wedge to some fifteen feet, then dropped the birdie to neutralize McIlroy’s bogey putt. For the first time since November of 2022, Fleetwood had the honor of hoisting a victor’s trophy.
Birdie-birdie finish.@TommyFleetwood1 wins in Dubai! ?#DubaiInvitational pic.twitter.com/pVB4zVhJVE
— DP World Tour (@DPWorldTour) January 14, 2024
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...
