News
Yikes: A Noose on the Cover
Talk about hoist with one’s own petard; "There was a great deal of debate over it," Golfweek editor Dave Seanor told the San Diego Union-Tribune. "But it was the news of the week, no question about it. That’s what everybody in the game is talking about." I’m not sure who Mr. Seanor was talking to, I discussed it earlier on these pages, but have since left it alone because in the grand scheme of things it was a small deal. A slip of the tongue during a live television event, these things happen, and everyone including Tiger Woods and commissioner Tim Finchem were willing to move on to more important things. Nobody I know has discussed this in a while other than to ponder how awkward Ms. Tilghman’s return to the booth would be for her and Golf Channel viewers.
"Was it an arresting image? Yes, it was," Seanor told USA Today. "We chose it because it was an image we thought would draw attention to an issue we thought deserved some intelligent dialogue." And the way to intelligent debate is to picture the prefered method of killing used by the Klu Klux Klan? To even attribute the word intelligent to the decision making process involved in the choice to run this cover leads me to wonder if these folks can define intelligent. Certainly the cover led me right to the idea of debate about free speech and race, . First thing that comes to mind when I see that noose hangin’ there. Mr. Seanor should be arrested for even thinking of such an idea. I certainly hope he was on drugs at the time he came up with this dandy of an idea , because if his brain wasn’t addled by drugs then he thinks this way normally. Another scary thought, that.
What Kelly Tilghman said was insensitive and unfunny but off the cuff. What Golfweek’s editors did, while also insensitive and unfunny, was premeditated in an effort to create some controversy. Somehow I think Mr. Seanor got more than he bargained for, since he’s newly joined the ranks of the unemployed. Nobody will remember Ms. Tilghman’s gaff, but this cover won’t soon be forgotten.
So what was the point, who’s caught in that noose anyway? Golf Channel because it eventually suspended her after the story became an issue? No not at I discovered after reading the editorial content. This is meant to be a rant against Rev. Al Sharpton because after his voice came out in favor of taking Ms. Tilghman’s job, her employer suspended her for two weeks. I’ll let you read the editorial content concerning Rev. Sharpton and decide what you think,: here are quotes from it’s content…"… the loudest voice often sets the agenda, regardless of how informed or accountable that voice may be." So this would make him uninformed and unaccountable in a very loud way. Hmmm. Then later comes this, "Regardless of how one feels about the shrill voice of the Rev. Al Sharpton, he wields enormous influence." Shrill he is, um really. Apparently the Rev Sharpton is not someone they hold in high esteem at Golfweek. So about this time I’m starting to get the idea that this isn’t about golf at all. Nor is it about the lack of integration in golf. No sir, what this is about is that demon "Political Correctness", which is apparently best addressed in a golf magazine because it is a monster so out of control we need to stick a noose on our cover and bash Al Sharpton. Puddin’ heads pure and simple. It’s a sad sad day for golf and golf journalism when this is how we think to stimulate intelligent discussion.
I’ve never claimed to be clever, nor very bright, only opinionated and openminded enough to listen to an argument before I decide it’s merit. If you want to have an intelligent discussion about race in golf, do so with the dignity of Golfworld, who’s cover this week shows a picture of Bill Spiller and tell’s his story of trying to break the PGA tour’s color line. Even I understand how this approach can get one thinking about race and free speech, unfairness and the sadness that accompany it uncomfortably throughout the recent past. There is no place for such offensiveness in a dialogue, that’s just name calling, and no possibility of dialogue begun in an aggressively insensitive manner. The boys at Golfweek should be ashamed, they’ve hoist themselves, quite publically indeed.
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...
Scott
Jan 20, 2008 at 8:19 pm
I personally am tired of the overreaction to each and every comment that is of ill regard (intentional or other). The senstitivity of the population as a whole has made everyone a victim of sorts. Everyone can make issue of something each day that is repulsive, or sensitive to ones feelings. It is people like the highly esteemed Rev Al (currently being investigated for fed. racketeering) that highlights the obvious ill spoken words without regard.
To be honest what is the difference between a rape victim and the media’s nightly newscasts bringing light to these actions by of others. It brings up reminders that the victims obviously don’t want to relive.
My point is we need to get a little thicker skinned and not take a personal attack to off the cuff insensitive comments. I don’t fault Tilgman – she obviously didnt mean it in a derogitory manner.
Golfweek – I really dont fault them. Insensitive… yes. But as I said above, that is the media. It just happens that for some it is easier to brush off, and for others it seems that they can’t move on.
Todd
Jan 20, 2008 at 8:50 am
Thankfully seanor is gone,but i question the upper ranks from golf week,,didn’t they think about how this issue would be perceived from golf readers and the general population alike,,they should have let it pass,,just like Tiger did, the fine,fine young man that he is.Unfortunatley Ms Tilgmans mistake of a remark will more than likely not be forgotten for some time thanks to golf weeks publication of this article and the rev. al sharpton who by the way probably woudn’t have said a thing if Kelly was of a different color..
Ryan
Jan 20, 2008 at 5:31 am
This is terrible, yes the cover caught my attention but in a bad way. It is bad enough Kelly Tilghman had to have a two week suspension from the golf channel and now GolfWeek magazine continues the Kelly Tilghman slip out ACCIDENT by putting a noose on the cover. The media should just leave her alone, she apologized to Tiger Woods and Tiger accepted her apology, that is done. There should be no more talk about what happened that day. GolfWeek magazine is just making things worst. In addition, the cover they chose for GolfWeek’s magazine is a nightmare. That picture offends people and it brings back bad memories. I can’t believe how GolfWeek could even think of choosing a cover like that.
habana
Jan 19, 2008 at 2:28 pm
Kelly spoke without thinking. Golfweek had a week to think about this cover. Both were wrong, but tell me which is worse.
John
Jan 19, 2008 at 11:25 am
Mr. Seanor should have lost his job! The way to deal with people like Al Sharpton, publicity whores who will jump on any media opportunity to flog themselves, is to ignore them. Take the higher ground. You can editorialize, but for Golfweek to take this step, to attempt to profit off of what was really a minor slip on Kelly Tilghman’s part, is reprehensible. Golfweek can forget about my subscription.