News
Tiger’s driver: Major outlets report what you probably already knew
If you take a look at the golf news today, there are reports from almost every major outlet (thanks largely to the dissemination of an AP piece by Doug Ferguson) that Tiger Woods was using his prototype Nike Covert from last year in the third round at the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational.
I guess Doug Ferguson and writers from the major outlets don’t read the GolfWRX forums.
Swopes30 started a thread July 31 at 1:34 p.m. titled “Tiger back to Covert 1 in practice round” and posted photos supporting the claim.
That’s right, Tiger has been using his driver from last year all week and no major outlet said anything until today. Yet a GolfWRXer posted about it Thursday.
And Ferguson, in his AP piece, seems to claim Woods just put the driver in the bag for the third round. If the photos readily available to all on Getty Images are to be believed, he used it in the first and second rounds as well.
I’m tempted to rant about the laziness of the mainstream golf media and their contentment in passing around the same half-baked stories from one outlet to another like a lukewarm potato.
Instead, here are photos of the two drivers.
The Covert prototype from last year Woods put back in the bag this week, below.
Tiger’s Covert 2.0 prototype from this year, below.

How’s it working? Not very well: Woods hit six fairways Saturday (42 percent).
And why the decision? As Woods said:
“I figured the lighter shaft should help me out a little bit, get some speed back, because I’m just not quite as explosive as I need to be. I haven’t done any explosive lifting. I haven’t done any of my fast-twitch stuff yet. As soon as I start doing my fast-twitch stuff, I can get my speed back up and then I can go back to my old driver.”
As for the shaft change, we spotted Woods with a Mitsubishi Rayon Diamana Blue Board 93X the week of his return to competitive golf at the Quicken Loans National, and he is using a Diamana White Board 73X shaft that is 20 grams lighter this week at the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational.
Tour Photo Galleries
Photos from the 2026 Memorial Tournament
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
News
Tour Tech Rundown: Heroic Henley
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
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



Painter33
Mar 27, 2024 at 10:51 am
Being from tge future, I have a prediction: Nike will leave the clubmaking industry to pursue more time with its family…and because Tiger and Paul Casey are the only ones using their metal stuff. Their clothes, however, will continue to be overpriced.
gunmetal
Aug 4, 2014 at 11:39 am
Why not reshaft the Covert 2.0?
James
Aug 4, 2014 at 10:59 am
Why is this a big deal? if drivers added 15 yards each year we would be at 400+ by now…these companies are making a ton of money off the same shiny toy just made to look different
I can go back 15 years and hit those drivers just as far as i hit the new ones today
dot dot
Aug 3, 2014 at 12:59 pm
Yea, you scooped the mainstream media in the sport you specialize in exclusively reporting on. You don’t get kudo’s for doing your job. The mainstream media is supposed to turn to you little specialized guys for info that they then bring in a watered down version to a wider audience. Learn your place in the world GWRX.
ThinSoul
Aug 3, 2014 at 11:00 am
Does anyone know if Tiger’s driver is still around 44″? If so a 73g shaft is definitely on the light side. I think driver should stick to the short and heavy driver. Even if he loses 20 yards he can make it up hitting 5-8 irons in for sure.
ThinSoul
Aug 3, 2014 at 11:02 am
My phone made Tiger driver. Should read ‘I think Tiger should…’
Jericho
Aug 3, 2014 at 2:03 am
Ok just googled pedantic.. gonna be throwin this one around for sure ..lol
Jericho
Aug 3, 2014 at 1:54 am
..pedantic ..hmm ..better google that
db
Aug 2, 2014 at 9:07 pm
Considering Rory is absolutely BOMBING the 2.0 it definitely is the driver.
MHendon
Aug 2, 2014 at 8:09 pm
Hell the fact he’s had two prototype Coverts is news to me. I just wish they’d release the bonded hosel version to retail without that big swoosh on the crown, then I’d be interested.
kloyd0306
Aug 2, 2014 at 7:02 pm
Is it the driver, or is it Tiger?
If it’s the driver, the “oven” boys can’t figure it out.
Tiger drove it straighter when using a DG S300 in his King Cobra SS model.
Maybe it is still in the garage too?
MHendon
Aug 2, 2014 at 8:10 pm
It ain’t the driver!
Lukas
Aug 2, 2014 at 6:24 pm
Go easy on the mainstream media. Take them for what they are. The “main stream” doesn’t know what a Mitsubishi Rayon Diamana Blue Board 93X is, nor do they care. Matter of fact I’d bet the majority would stop reading by the time they hit the second “i” in Mitsubishi.
Nick
Aug 2, 2014 at 6:13 pm
This article is unnecessarily pedantic.
Jwowzer
Aug 2, 2014 at 7:02 pm
I agree, shallow and pedantic.
MHendon
Aug 2, 2014 at 8:06 pm
Thanks Nick you just improved my vocabulary! Pedantic, lol?
Mj Martin
Aug 2, 2014 at 6:04 pm
Probably the same media whores that have reported that Dusti was suspended by the PGA.