News
Charl Schwartzel switches to PXG (Update: In-hand pics)
2011 Masters champion and 14-time winner globally, Charl Schwartzel is abandoning his Nike equipment on the eve of the British Open and switching to PXG, the company announced today.
The unexpected, and perhaps unprecedented, mid-season, week-before-a-major defection, will result in Schwartzel playing an unspecified amount of PXG equipment at Royal Troon. He last teed it up at the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational two weeks ago with an all-Nike bag, finishing tied for seventh.
In-hand photos of the PXG clubs Schwartzel has in the bag at the Open Championship.
“From clubs to club maker, I feel like PXG is behind me,” said Schwartzel. “They have taken an interest in all aspects of my game and are committed to helping me play the best golf of my life. I had the opportunity to speak with Bob Parsons and his enthusiasm for the game of golf and golf equipment is infectious.”
Schwartzel joins a growing stable at the upstart equipment company. PXG’s professional staff includes PGA Tour players Zach Johnson, Charl Schwartzel, Billy Horschel, Chris Kirk, Ryan Moore, James Hahn and Charles Howell III, Champions Tour golfer Rocco Mediate, and LPGA players Cristie Kerr, Gerina Piller, Alison Lee, Beatriz Recari and Sadena Parks.
Update: Below is a look at the clubs Schwartzel will have in the bag this week at the 145th Open Championship.
See what GolfWRX members are saying about Schwartzel’s clubs in the forums.
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...
300 Yard Pro
Jul 17, 2016 at 2:21 am
I don’t care what they are made of, how they feel or how much they cost. Your bad swing is still going to hit bad shots. Only now your game is more expensive. When you get tired of hitting bad shots after dropping $3,000, then what?
I'm Ron Burgundy??
Jul 16, 2016 at 8:09 am
I am friends with a top 100 club fitter in my area. He says he sold 11 sets last week! I am sitting here wondering who has the money for $300-$400 depending on the club you’ve chosen. I’d love to hit some but then again I don’t want to.
Now the next question is is their price point so high that the majority of folks that would buy their clubs guys that would keep them and play them for a number of years? I can’t imagine being a hoe with these every time they come out with a new set of them or the latest and greatest. Maybe they will let a set or two stay out for a few years?
Alfredo Smith
Jul 14, 2016 at 12:49 am
PXG irons are that good. End. Of. Story.
Nick
Jul 14, 2016 at 12:20 am
The Torx screws on the back of the irons are absolutely hideous.
golfraven
Jul 13, 2016 at 6:26 pm
He is too good of a player to mock around so likely the clubs have his approval and he is confident to play with it. Would love to see him winning.
Walt Pendleton
Jul 13, 2016 at 2:39 pm
Gentlemen…PXG should be making the best clubs in the world, they’re well funded, have a proven staff of club engineers and they aren’t in the market of selling clubs. Imagine, if you went to (ANY) market with your pockets lined with gold, had a reasoned team of engineers around you, and you knocked off every successful idea in the last 10 years and made it better! Majors and tournament wins are still about guys with big balls, that’s a metaphor ladies, and putting skills that are somewhat inhuman when you’re trying to make history. However, the fundamentals are learnable Nside10.com
Ron
Jul 13, 2016 at 1:28 pm
From bad to worse!
JOEL GOODMAN
Jul 13, 2016 at 1:12 pm
MOSTLY THE PROS THAT GET THEM FOR FREE AND A CHECK TO SWEETEN THE DEAL. I’D PLAY THEM IF I COULD AFFORD THEM. THEY ARE REALLY GOOD CLUBS BUT TOO PRICEY FOR MOST GOLFERS.
Hanz
Jul 13, 2016 at 6:44 am
It’s the BALL ya’ll.
Ty Webb
Jul 13, 2016 at 1:31 am
I was able to hit a set of these at 2nd swing in Minneapolis, and I gotta say they might be the best feeling irons I’ve ever hit; however, the cost is ridiculous. For that kinda money, just get a set of Miura’s and get it over with!
gwillis7
Jul 13, 2016 at 8:14 am
are the Miura’s or PXG’s more forgiving? I haven’t hit either of them
Robert
Jul 13, 2016 at 11:58 am
I didn’t find them to be that great feeling. I personally felt the Titlest 716 MBs feel 100x better.
the next dude
Jul 13, 2016 at 10:27 pm
right there with ya!!!
skip
Jul 14, 2016 at 12:20 pm
Agree. I’d take a Miura Giken or Epon over those any day in terms of feel. Most people are buying into the hype though. And that high-tech black DLC finish that’s supposed to last? Rubbish.
cgasucks
Jul 12, 2016 at 11:39 pm
To change equipment at the end of the year is one thing but changing equipment RIGHT BEFORE A MAJOR???!! PXG must have given Schwartzel and mountain of money in order for him to do that…Remember Mickelson switched from Titleist from Callaway mid season right before the Ryder Cup and look how he performed that year…
RAT
Jul 12, 2016 at 9:03 pm
Just as well be now as later. Nike is not a Golf company sooner or later they will realize that MAYBE!
Lloyd
Jul 12, 2016 at 7:15 pm
He was hitting the Titleist 716CB iron & wearing footjoy shoes
Ronnie Smith
Jul 12, 2016 at 5:50 pm
Not sure,I’m still a Miura man,not sure about all the smoke and mirrors
gwillis7
Jul 12, 2016 at 4:39 pm
Good for him, he obviously wasn’t under contract (or could end his contract early) with Nike. I think PXG is just gonna keep growing, amongst the pros and not so much for the average Joe (which isn’t who they are targeting). I would wanna see what they pay their athletes compared to the other golf companies…I know Ryan Moore made the switch initially without even getting paid, just liked the equipment. Pretty sure he gets paid now, but I bet these guys are switching because of results not money. I mean, yes they are all getting paid (whether they play for PXG, Ping or whoever), but can PXG be paying them more than other companies? Maybe, anyone know?
gwillis7
Jul 12, 2016 at 6:37 pm
here’s a little more info on the deal
http://www.pgatour.com/equipmentreport/2016/07/12/charl-schwartzel-parsons-xtreme-golf.html
MRC
Jul 12, 2016 at 3:23 pm
Change is good.
Good Luck CS.
jn
Jul 12, 2016 at 12:23 pm
Who cares. It’s the Pro-V that works for them, not the clubs
mitch
Jul 12, 2016 at 12:33 pm
preach!
JR
Jul 12, 2016 at 5:09 pm
Charles uses Nike RZN Platinum
Chris
Jul 12, 2016 at 7:21 pm
Who is Charles?
dd
Jul 13, 2016 at 2:44 am
he did, when he was with Nike. you can pretty much guess he will be using Pro-V now
Jesse
Jul 12, 2016 at 11:52 am
Has PXG really had that big of impact on equipment yet? I think they have only had one win on the PGA correct?
Chris
Jul 12, 2016 at 11:47 am
On Sky Sports yesterday, he was hitting 716 CB 6 iron with Modus 3 on the range !! Footjoy shoes and Player glove. No commercial/matching apparel, plain ‘Troon Open’ hat.
Lloyd
Jul 12, 2016 at 7:13 pm
That’s true I spotted that as well Titleist 716CB & footjoy shoes
Phil
Jul 12, 2016 at 10:59 am
What ball is he playing now?
Michael
Jul 12, 2016 at 10:37 am
That’s pretty dramatic. He must have had some seriously good results in testing to make the switch the week before a major.
Tom
Jul 12, 2016 at 10:50 am
agreed.
Alex
Jul 12, 2016 at 11:43 am
Or the serious dough he was offered to play them regardless of his results in the tournament 😛
jn
Jul 12, 2016 at 12:22 pm
Exactly.
es
Jul 12, 2016 at 3:09 pm
who’s Charl Schwartzel? Some guy who probably felt he wasn’t getting enough money and attention from Nike.
Ian
Jul 12, 2016 at 3:12 pm
He’s a major winner.
Golfer
Jul 12, 2016 at 3:39 pm
HE won the Masters…
LabraeGolfer
Jul 12, 2016 at 10:10 pm
He has 15 more professional wins and a MASTERS MORE THAN YOU!! That’s who he is
es
Jul 12, 2016 at 11:06 pm
sorry still not impressed, on the B-list
Jack
Jul 13, 2016 at 2:42 am
I’m pretty sure he’s not waiting for your approval.
es
Jul 13, 2016 at 9:50 am
I’m 100% sure he does not care about my opinion. However… it is my opinion, and I love my PXGs. Just wish they got some more A listers on their roster. Would love to see some big wins on the tour. Too bad Z. Johnson won last years Open using Titleist.
dpsjr25
Jul 13, 2016 at 12:02 pm
He’s ranked 21st in the world, how much more high profile are you looking for. Spieth/Day level?