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Tour Rundown: All about The Players!
Players Championship week might be more powerful than the week of any major championship. Can you say, competition shut down? When all the world’s professional golf tours go lights-out and radio silent, that’s saying something. The DPWT, LPGA, Korn Ferry, and PGA Tour Champions all passed on the third weekend in March, out of deference to the electric event, held annually at Pete’s Place in Sawgrass.
The 2025 rendering of the Players Championship had a bit of every seasoning from the pro golf spice rack. We’re going to take a look at each day’s results and unique elements, in this week’s Tour Rundown. We hope that you enjoy this look back at March 13-16, 2025, at The Players Championship. Let’s get started with some heroism from Captain America, Keegan Bradley.
Thursday: Two set the pace at minus-six
Low Rounds: 66, from JJ Spaun, Lucas Glover, and Camilo Villegas
- JJ Spaun feels more like a two-win guy than a solo artist. He picked up a win in Texas, in 2022, and has been in the mix on many occasions, ever since. This arena is different, however. Not saying he won’t, but it’s tougher.
- Villegas suffered the unthinkable, when he and his wife lost their young daughter to cancer. The Colombian powerhouse won in Bermuda in 2023, after a nine-year hiatus from the winner’s platform. We know that he can win at the nearly-major level, but at age 43, it would have taken all the mental and physical fitness to get it done, and Villegas could not summon both over the final three rounds.
- Glover had a dry spell from 2011 to 2021, then nearly made the USA Ryder Cup side in 2023, when he won two playoff events. His game is built for top-fifteen finishes, and odds were in his favor for another in St. Augustine.
High Rounds: 80, from Viktor Hovland and Nick Dunlap
- Hovland has expressed the frustrating state of his current game, and he showed no signs of exiting that status on Friday. Viktor teed off on the inward half, and began with consecutive bogeys. He turned in 39, then had a triple-doble sequence at holes five and six, to effectively end his week, just as it began. Admirably, he bounced back on Friday with 68, but missed the cut by five shots.
- Dunlap had an agonizing first round on Thursday. He endured the golf equivalent to death by a thousand, tiny cuts. Half of his holes were completed in bogey figures, and he found but one birdie on the day, at the 16th hole. Dunlap uncovered four birdies on friday, but needed twice that many and zero mistakes. He posted 74 on Friday to finish among the five worst over two days.
While Spaun, Glover, and Villegas held the lead after 18 holes, none of the three was a betting favorite in Vegas or on line. Rory McIlroy, Akshay Bhatia, and Min Woo Lee were one shot back, and each had more interest from the the wagerers. McIlroy’s track record is indisputable, and both Bhatia and Lee are ready to move to the big-win level. Billy Horschel also posted minus-five on Thursday.
Friday: 16-stroke improvement highlights day two
Low Round: 62, from Justin Thomas
- Kudos to a fellow who plays Sawgrass nearly a stroke per hole better than the day before. JT won’t win this year, but one would think that such a triumph over mental and spiritual adversity, resulting in a made cut, should reap a fruitful harvest, down the road.
High Round: 81, from Maverick McNealy
- The middle of the round wasn’t kind to the winner of last fall’s RSM Classic. One under on the day at the sixth tee, McNealy posted two doubles and four single on his subsequent sextet of holes. McNealy went from cut line to missed cut in a bit over an hour, but Pete’s Peril will do that to even the best golfers.
Spaun followed his 66 with a 68, but it was Bhatia who moved into the lead at 133. Moving into the top five was Collin Morikawa, runner-up last week at Bay Hill. His 65 brought him to 135, two back of the leader. Alex Smalley and McIlroy moved to the same number as Morikawa, with Glover and Tommy Fleetwood one behind, at 136. Bidding farewell to their cohort were more than a few surprising names. Hideki Matsuyama, Adam Scott, Ludvig Aberg, Max Homa, and Matt Fitzpatrick went to the sidelines as the field reduced to 72 names.
Saturday: Just call me JJ
Low Rounds: 66, from Bud Caulery, Corey Connors, and Danny Walker
- Danny Walker and Corey Connors teed off among the first seven times, before the greens spike up and the winds came.
- Credit to local boy Bud Cauley, whose 66 came off a 12:15 tee time, among the final 15 pairings.
High Rounds: 85, from Emiliano Grillo
- Grillo opened with 68-70, well inside the cut line and another 70 from top-five after day three. Instead, the Platense finds himself at the bottom of the tournament, after a maddening round of golf. Zero birdies and an insufferable stretch of +8, from holes four through eight.
- A chunked approach on four led to a double, and a series of unfortunate pitch shots and putts brought triple at number five.
JJ Spaun reclaimed the lead on a horrendous day for golf. Nearly as many players (five) posted rounds in the 80s, as did (seven) in the 60s. Players like Bud Cauley and Corey Conners signed for 66, and shot meteorically up the leaders’ board. Falling away were Morikawa (77), Fleetwood (75), and Min Woo (78.)
Sunday: And then, came the rains, and then, came the playoff
Low Rounds: 66, from Tom Hoge, Rico Hoey, and Kurt Kitayama
- Hoey and Kitayama started well off the pace of the leader, and their 66s vaulted them from way, way back (60s) to the top 35. If you’re going to do it some week, make-bank week is a good one!
- Hoge’s minus-six was a much more impressive feat. He began the day in the top twenty-five, which meant that he endured the three-hour rain delay that the other, low-goers did not. Hoge had seven birdies on the day, with his sole blip a bogey on the 11th.
High Round: 81, from Xander Schauffele
- The two-time, major winner in 2025 returned from a medical hiatus last week. Bay Hill and Sawgrass did not provide a gentle handshake, but Schauffele managed to make the cut in each. His lack of playing shape was evident at both sites, as he twice struggled on day four.
- On Sunday, Schauffele posted one triple, two doubles, and four bogeys. He did have a pair of birdies on a forgettable day, and will look to continue his rehab tour in the near future.
Tom Hoge finished in a three-way tie with Akshay Bhatia and Lucas Glover, at minus-ten. Their efforts earned them the bronze medal this week. After Rory McIlroy got up and down at 18 for par, and JJ Spaun’s birdie effort came up two agonizing inches short, the two at minus-twelve were given a 9 am tee time, for a three-hole, aggregate playoff. The Players went to the three-hole format in 2014, and in 2015, Rickie Fowler defeated Kevin Kisner for our only look at the structure.
On Monday morning, McIlroy took a one-shot advantage with birdie at the 16th hole, the first of the three-hole aggregate playoff. The island 17th decided the winner, for practical purposes. McIlroy found the green, while JJ Spaun was long and wet with his tee ball. From the drop zone, he found the fringe, but was unable to get up and down for five. His triple-bogey six gave McIlroy two more shots in hand. When the Northern Irishman found dry land off the 18th tee, matters were settled. Sapun ultimately made double bogey, and McIlroy’s bogey at the last green secured a second Players Championship.
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...
