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A Feat to Make Giants Weep
I thought I saw a tear in Arnold Palmer’s eye while he was hugging Tiger after the young master’s Herculean putt today to win Arnie’s Invitational.
That putt had to have invoked spontaneous fist-pumping from Arnie, Jack, Watson, MIller, Snead, Hogan, Jones, and all the golf gods, here and gone, blessed enough to have tasted that rare drink of sudden victory.
My guess is that Earl Woods himself slammed his own hat down on a cloud and rose his fists of glory to the sky. Earl’s good work continues to rumble and grow within his son.
And where were all the immortal sports announcers with their favorite catch phrases? If ever there was a time to utter them, now is that freakin’ time. “BOOM!” Indeed!
That’s all I’ve got. Go read the journalistic accounts. Go peruse the hyperbolic ramblings. Go see the replay of the putt that changed golf forever. But trust me – it’s too big for your eyes or your mind. Tonight, look in the golf sky. The balance of the galaxy has been changed.
What I’ll remember and cherish from this moment is the sound — the thud and explosion when that ball dropped into the hole. The sound was physical. Its vibrations blew the hat off Tiger’s head and into his hand, too hot to handle. It stood all of us up. It struck our hearts, amazed our minds, and squeezed out tears of thankfulness that we were witness to such epic drama.
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...
Juansky
Mar 20, 2008 at 2:04 pm
I bet Tiger goes undefeated this year and he’ll most likely bag all 4 majors indeed. Time will tell and I just can’t wait for the first Major! It will be electrifying to say the least!
Arriba Tiger Woods!
golfebj
Mar 19, 2008 at 9:23 am
I think we have to remind ourselves that we are watching history in the making.
Like some kids our now growing up never seeing Jordan, Gretzky, Sampras hit the court and ice. I never saw Jack and Arnie play until well past their prime but the legend is unwavering I can appreciate them.
When they greats of the game are as astounded by what they see as we are…truly something special is happening.
Calvin
Mar 18, 2008 at 5:07 pm
Great Article!
8thehardway
Mar 18, 2008 at 4:02 am
I certainly agree – Tiger is art… maybe martial art off the tee and a ball-striking ballet of one on the fairways. And yeah, tears of admiration is the purest response – great observation!
A small clarification – the “innocence” I spoke of is much closer to anticipation than surprise. In the 1950s Roger Bannister was closing in on a feat some thought impossible – the world’s first sub-4 minute mile and feelings of excitement, uncertainty and anticipation were everywhere. 30 years later top high school runners were breaking the 4 minute mile; in fact it was expected of them and all those wonderful feelings present during Bannister’s banner year are no longer present. Unfortunate, but that’s the way of things. However, if today’s track fans were transported back to 1954, they’ed expect Bannister to accomplish his historic feat and thus miss out on all those great feelings. Likewise, expecting a perfect season from Tiger distances us from his struggle and thus deprives us of some great feelings.
ken
Mar 17, 2008 at 6:26 pm
I won’t say I expected it , then I wont say I was surprised.
Tiger is playing at a level thats hard to comprehend. He putts it so well you almost can ignore his wonderful ball striking.
I don’t think he missed a shot yesterday for sure not down the stretch. I knew he would get better I just had no idea how good he would get. Wow Wow Wow you da man!
Tim Schoch
Mar 17, 2008 at 4:38 pm
Thank you! I’ve been throwing down my hat at times all day!
I think the “innocence†you refer to is the element of surprise. No, we will not be surprised by any of his accomplishments. But I do not sit there “expecting†Tiger to perform miracles…..the thrill for me is that I know it is possible! And that equals major anticipation and the potential to see an event where, no matter what the outcome, there is not a chance of being disappointed as a viewer down to the very last putt.
BTW — Did you notice Johnny Miller tearing up when he was talking to Arnie about asking for his autograph? The best reward a hero can receive are tears of admiration. Then it is Art. That’s what Tiger is giving us. 🙂
8thehardway
Mar 17, 2008 at 4:00 pm
Perfectly put Dave, and an excellent piece Mr. Scotch. His skills are the stuff of legends and the sound of his putts dropping in the cup will echo through time and will. 20 generations of golfers will account us fortunate indeed to have borne witness to his accomplishments.
Yet when the improbable becomes expected, something – wonder, amazement, pick your term – something innocent gets lost. Expecting the improbable dimishes it’s accomplishment; once the mind reframes a task as probable, anything short of perfection is a let down and seen, to a small extent, as a lapse in execution and this in a game where very little is perfect.
He won’t have a perfect season and very likely won’t win all the majors. Were he to win two majors and nothing more the rest of this year he would outperform almost everyone who ever played the game since it was invented and I’d frame it a staggering accomplishment. Rather than a failure to meet my expectations, he would have exceeded them..
David Kellington
Mar 17, 2008 at 2:32 pm
We are blessed to be watching a piece of history. This will no doubt go down as one of Tigers Top 10 clutch moments, and for Mr. Palmer to be there, to embrace Tiger as he did on the 18th green was a magical moment shared between two people who have changed the face of golf like no others ever will. In my opinion this putt will be looked back on as where Tiger took over the 2008 season, on route to being the first player to ever win all four majors, as well as every tournement he played in, in one season. 2008 will be one for the books, I’m going to kick up my feet and watch history being written.
habana
Mar 17, 2008 at 2:17 pm
I told my wife that put is never gonna make it to the hole. She smiled and said just wait
Adam
Mar 17, 2008 at 11:28 am
I most definitely agree. I literally laughed uncontrollably for two or three minutes after that putt dropped because I couldn’t believe it. Rather than question whether he can make it though, I should question why I doubted if he could. I expected that he would win the tournament regardless of what happened on 18, but I also expected that it would be in a playoff as he lined up for the putt.
I just seems like no matter what he does, or who stands in his way…if he is locked in like he is right now, the only way he is going to get beat is if God were to strike him down in his backswing!
Rich Clapper
Mar 17, 2008 at 9:06 am
WOW! That’s all I could say. It seems common now that every time I watch Tiger he does something I know I should expect, yet I still cannot believe. It was really special to see that sort of emotion from him as well. I keep telling myself to remove any limits of success he can reach, and honestly, I’m expecting an undefeated season, grand slam, and a bunch of scoring records. I mean, why not? He truly seems to be in a zone unlike I’ve ever seen. WOW.