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Where the 2026 Masters was won (and lost)
The Masters provides the drama we are looking for year after year, and it did it again this last weekend. Perfect warm, dry weather made the course very firm and fast. Mix in the patented swirling winds, and the cream rose to the top for precision ball striking, greenside shots that had to land in a thimble, and putts that had to be on the exact line to get to the bottom of the cup. This tournament was defined by the early part of the second nine on Sunday in the famed Amen Corner, and this is where I think The Masters turned for the eventual winner Rory McIlroy.
With Justin Rose making a move and in the lead by two shots at the turn, this was looking like Rose was poised to seal the deal for a green jacket. With a number of lurking players and the roars of Augusta beginning to be heard, it was looking to be Justin’s time. A brief lead-up to the turning point of the round, in my opinion: Rose birding 7, 8, and 9 was massive as momentum was building. Birding the 9th hole and walking to the 10th tee feeling 10 feet tall!
A great drive on 10 to leave 179 yards. A shot on the green to 32 feet away. From there the quick putt got rolling 4 feet away from the hole. A length demanding attention, Rose holes it. That’s a great save from four feet in that position after birding the last three holes.
11th hole
Keeping the momentum rolling, he sends a drive on 11 right down the middle, 340 yards. Another big drive to keep the momentum going as he enters Amen Corner.
(Photo via Masters.com)
With 192 yards left in 11, this is the first crack in the armor for this momentum swing. Some indecision on the club selection and the wind. Swirling winds and decisions on club choice, mixed with contention and adrenaline. Creating our love for decisions in competition. Rose from 192 yards opted for the 6 iron for the back middle left hole location. Given the circumstances, it may seem like a lot of club, but the trajectory of a 6 iron is more favorable in the swirling winds than a 7-iron that could be taken away from the wind.
Subconsciously, he may have known the 6-iron is too much club but a safer play. Compared with choosing less club and possibly pulling it into the pond with 7-iron. 6-iron was the club, and I just got out in front of it on the downswing, creating the shot to go right of the green. A tricky up-and-down remained from 34 yards, with the green sloping away from Rose and the firm conditions. Rose hit to 15 feet and two-putted for bogey. Completely understandable with the miss to the right. Somewhat surprising with the bogey on 11 just because Rose was so locked in the last four holes.
12th Hole
This sets up number 12, Golden Bell. Rose appeared to slightly pull his tee shot from 160 yards. He was pin high but 19 yards away to the left of the green. With players mentioning chip shots and pitches around the green into the grain of the grass, this showed here as Rose advanced the ball just a number of feet for his second shot, not reaching the green. Faced with his 3rd shot now 11 yards away, Rose putted off to the green to 5 feet away. Only a putt given to players needing an ego boost with their handicap, Rose made the 5-footer. A large putt in its own right. Bogey on 11 and bogey on 12. Deflating after such a great stretch from holes 7-10, but not a deal breaker by any means for a chance at a green jacket.
Rose hit a booming drive 305 yards on 13, down the left side, which is higher risk, but after going bogey-bogey, it was warranted. Leaving 197 yards into the par 5, it was the green light special. Rose fired his mid-iron right at the flag as it bounded by the hole, it rested 30 feet past the hole with a downhill putt remaining. The putt Rose hit had plenty of pace and too much, in fact, for a tap-in. It went eight feet by the hole with his attempt for an eagle. His attempt for birdie was a slight pull and a tap-in for par was had.
To me, this is where the wind was out of the sails for Rose. A great stretch of golf, rounding out the first 9, good two-putt par save on the 10th green, bogeying 11 and 12 in the fashion he did, followed by a three-putt par on 13. The psychology of plugging away, in the lead, and gaining ground on the field, only to sputter and then lose ground on the field. Bogey on 11 is understandable, but the bogey on 12 and three-putt par on 13 really looked to cause the damage. It was a great bounce back on 13 with the fantastic drive and second shot, but the damage was done on the putting green.
Rory McIlroy
Contrast with Rory McIlroy, with birdies on 7 and 8. Making par on 9 through 11. Then the dagger on 12. Back right hole location, taking on the pin. With a key decision waiting for the correct wind, Rory, with full commitment, started his ball on line with the right edge of the bunker on 12 with a Hogan fade landing on the green and releasing towards the hole resting 7 feet from the cup. Rory makes the putt center cut and moves onto the 13th tee. Launching his driver 350 yards to the right side of the upper fairway, he was left with 183 yards. His iron shot went long left of the green. Green side from 23 yards, he got the ball below the hole 11 feet away. In a similar place where Rose missed an 8-footer two groups prior, Rory made this 11-footer on the left side of the cup.
Rory walks with his familiar bounce in his step to the 14th with momentum, as Rose continues the second 9 looking for a spark to get back in the mix.
It is such a fine line of a clear decision and execution of a shot, or a putt lipping in or lipping out. Amen Corner was the difference maker to me this last Sunday, with the 12th hole being the tipping point for two players in contention. Rory McIllory goes on to seal the deal, and Justin Rose finished tied for third on the doorstep of victory at Augusta once again.
- All photos via themasters.com and Augusta National’s shot tracking technology.
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...
