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Matching Up For A World Championship
It has been nearly a decade since Steve Stricker came out of the back of the pack to win the World Golf Championships Accenture Match Play. Nobody gave him much thought as the 55th seed but certainly there will be a lot more attention focused on him this year as the man on top of the brackets
Of course, this is match play, and just about anything can, and will, happen. That is not to say that we can expect Ross McGowan to run through the field from the 64th position but it is plausible to believe that he or anyone else in this elite field could capture the championship and the $1.4 million first prize.
That means that even the best players can falter in this tournament. You need not look any further than the number 2 and 3 seeds. In nine starts Lee Westwood has never advanced beyond the second round and steady-as-you-go player Jim Furyk, a seemingly certain contender, has struggled mightily to get beyond the third round of matches
The potential match ups could make for some riveting television and the promise of seeing the bulk the of world golf talent in one location for the first time this year has a lot of people paying attention.
You can print out your Tournament Brackets here for starters. If you can possibly pick out each and every winner you will have earned my utmost admiration.
One comforting thing for the players in the field this week in Arizona should be the fact that they will be able to dry out from the West Coast swing. Rain was a constant companion throughout the California events but the forecast centered on the Ritz-Carlton Golf Club at Dove Mountain looks to be perfect with plenty of sunshine and reasonable temperatures.
With that in place there should be nothing that affects the outcome except for how the players tackle the layout, and more importantly, their competitors.
Bobby Jones Bracket
In the Bobby Jones bracket a few matches jump out. The #1 seed, Stricker, could have his hands full with #64 Ross McGowan. The Englishman can make scores of birdies as proven by his record of shooting 60 and 61 in various European Tour events. Stricker will have to win some holes play playing steady to take advantage of any faltering by McGowan.
Match #30 will see young guns Ryo Ishikawa and Michael Sim face off for what could potentially be a pairing we see in major championships for years to come.
Ben Hogan Bracket
A couple matches to watch will include the tangle between #1 bracket seed Martin Kaymer and #16 Chad Campbell. Although he has not played this event since 2007 Campbell has made it to the top 16 in all four appearances. Kaymer has the confidence of a recent win in Abu Dhabi but it can always be tough to tangle with those gritty Texans.
Keep a close eye on Luke Donald. Now healthy after battling the wrist issue that put him out of this tournament last year, he has been playing well on the west coast and that should carry over in Arizona. His relatively mistake-free game translates well to match play. He has plenty of experience in this format as both an amateur and Ryder Cup player.
Gary Player
At the top of the Gary Player bracket eyes will be peeled to a clash of Englishmen. Lee Westwood is strong but emerging star Chris Wood could give him a test.
Also compelling is the Ernie Els and Ryan Moore match. Both have shown a lot of revival in their games of late so this could be a tight one.
Defending champion Geoff Ogilvy, already a winner this year on the PGA Tour, should get past Alex Noren in round one but he will face the winner of match #40. That will be a dust-up between Camilo Villegas and Dustin Johnson, a match sure to have a big following from both the crowd at hand and the television cameras.
Sam Snead
Jim Furyk is the #1 seed here but as mentioned he has struggled to get to the final stages of this tournament in the past.
Marquee match-ups include Mahan versus Schwartzel which could be anyone’s call while the most polar game will be between rock-steady former Masters Champion Mike Weir and the firepower-blessed Alvaro Quiros. Quiros was “one and done” in his only tournament appearance last year.
There could also be a great fight of the flatsticks as Kenny Perry; the oldest player is the field at 50, finds himself up against another great putter in Brian Gay.
The Course
Although the opponent is much more critical in match play the Ritz-Carlton Course is a bruiser that can play to over 7,800 yards if the tour wants it to. At the expected playing length of just under 7,500 yards the Jack Nicklaus crafted layout will still present a great test.
Every green, with the exception of the one of the 6th hole, has been renovated since last year to provide for better hole location options, more receptive contours, and potentially higher green speeds than what could be used in the past. They are expected to be 10.5 to 11 on the Stimpmeter this week.
No hole will be more critical than the 343-yard 15th. The par four hole plays as short as 300 yards depending on the tees, and matches often arrive at the hole during a pivotal moment in competition. With a drivable par 4 at such a crucial position of the course, players are faced with the decision of going for the green or laying up, bringing everything from eagle to double bogey into play.
Notes:
– 43 of the field of 64 players come from outside the United States. They represent 18 countries.
-The largest contingent from outside the U.S. comes from England who has 9 players in the field.
– There are 23 players under the age of 30, the most in tournament history.
U.S. TV Coverage (EST)
2/17, 2:00-6:00 p.m. GOLF
2/18,2:00-6:00 p.m. GOLF
2/19, 2:00-6:00 p.m. GOLF
2/20, 10:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. GOLF
2:00-6:00 p.m. CBS
2/21, 10:00 a.m.-1:30 p.m. GOLF
2:00-6:00 p.m. CBS
–
This report provided to GolfWRX.com by Flagstick Golf Magazine (www.flagstick.com)
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...
