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5 things we learned on Day 2 of The Open Championship

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One-half of the draw got lucky again at an Open Championship. Golfers with the PM-AM sequence were spared the mercurial weather that did its best to knock half the field out of contention. To the dismay of conspiracy theorists, Sergio Garcia was one of those fortunate 72 and sits in an enviable T6 position, six strokes behind the leader. Away we go with five things we learned on Day 2 of the 2016 Open Championship at Royal Troon.

Golf gets everyone, but…

The best in the world keep their cool and carry on. Jordan Spieth was in, then out, then in a sand pit on the Postage Stamp 8th. Immersed in the worst of the weather, he found the resolve to fight and make the cut. Danny Willett and Bubba Watson also played through the wretched, afternoon weather on Friday, and each made a massive putt on the final green to finish four-over par and live to fight another day. Lesson learned: just grind it out.

Old guys handle the bad weather quite well, thank you

If we thought that the fall chickens would fall back, waive the flag of surrender and return to their early-bird specials, we were quite incorrect. Led by Steve Stricker at T27, a silver-haired militia that counts Colin Montgomerie, Marco Dawson, Mark O’Meara and Miguel Angel Jimenez and the nearly grey Darren Clarke and Paul Lawrie survived the midway cut of four-over.

There are lurkers along these links

The first two rounds, believe it or not, are not about winning a halfway medal. Instead, those 36 holes are all about positioning oneself for a weekend move. Most impressive were Jason Day and Rickie Fowler, who toughed out the sideways wind and the penetrating rain to finish near par. If they find themselves on the right side of the weather for once, a Saturday move up the leaderboard could be theirs. Also situated quite well heading into the 37th hole are Patrick Reed and Dustin Johnson at two-under, Andrew “Beef” Johnston and Charl “Clubswitcher” Schwartzel at four-under, and defending CGOTY (champion golfer of the year) Zach Johnson at five-below par.

Stay Woke, Phil

This was the day that Pheisty Phil had every reason to backslide off yesterday’s savage 63. After moving to 11-under with three frontside birdies, Lefty made a pair of bogeys on the back but avoided additional miscues to close at 10-under through 36 holes. A now-public acceptance of, and even an enthusiasm for the challenges that links golf offers (wait ’till you get the REAL weather, Phil) have allowed the 2013 CGOTY to moderate his emotions and stabilize his shots. Keep calm and Phil on.

Meet your 2016 champion golfer of the year

All right, I’m done trying to make the term fetch, err, CGOTY trendy for today. Before I go, I’ll leave you with this bold prediction of the identity of the lifter of the Claret Jug on Sunday afternoon. He has won both the FedEx Cup and the Race to Dubai. In fact, he won them in the same year. Never a major titleholder but invariably in the race, we’ve seen him strip down to hit a shot out of water, erupt like Mount Vesuvius, and shoot 65 on day two of the 2016 Open championship. It’s this guy~

Ronald Montesano writes for GolfWRX.com from western New York. He dabbles in coaching golf and teaching Spanish, in addition to scribbling columns on all aspects of golf, from apparel to architecture, from equipment to travel. Follow Ronald on Twitter at @buffalogolfer.

7 Comments

7 Comments

  1. Haywood Gravette

    Aug 28, 2016 at 11:06 am

    “I think the biggest thing is just being able to win mentally each and every day,” Lockett said. “That’s what I’ve been trying to do. I know that everybody out here are great players and each and every one of them have a chance to make the team. Given his small stature, he was asked if he ever gets scared when fielding punts, fully knowing 11 defenders are racing down field in an attempt to level him as soon as he touches the football.

  2. Daniel

    Jul 16, 2016 at 3:59 am

    “Stenson? Interesting call. He lights up at lesser events and makes us think he has what it takes for a major, but does he have the composure to do so? I’m not certain that he does. Just one pundit’s opinion.”

    “I put Stenson in the same kettle as Donald, Monty, Westwood, Garcia, Fowler, Haas and Kuchar. They are or were close but we know how agonizingly distant that closeness is from closure.”
    Roland Montesano 17 aug 2015

    So what made you change your mind you arrogant jerk?

    • Matto

      Jul 16, 2016 at 4:23 am

      ^^^BWANG!^^^

      • Ronald Montesano

        Jul 16, 2016 at 5:43 am

        Who doesn’t love a well-place ^^^BWANG!^^^?

        They shouldn’t be carelessly left at just any door, so this one is particularly timely.

    • Ronald Montesano

      Jul 16, 2016 at 5:42 am

      I’d like to say that I had an epiphany, but nothing that historic nor romantic.

      His comment about getting older and not playing in these things forever struck me as insightful and an admission that majors matter. European one-off players tend to win the Open, while for US golfers, it’s the PGA. Perhaps that’s simply my perception, or perhaps it’s reality.

      I’m quite enamored of the fact that you pulled one of my own quotes to hold my feet to the fire. Hopefully I’ve met the conditions of your interrogation satisfactorily.

      …Chanson de Roland

    • Haggis

      Jul 16, 2016 at 11:34 am

      What the heck are ye tooking aboot with Stenson?
      He won both the Fedex Cup AND the Race to Dubai at the SAME time. Ya don’t think he has it? Youse e crazy. In fact, ya should remove Garcia, Fowler, and Kuch from that list of people. Donald was #1, Monty and Westwood had blown away Europe for a long time, and Haas also won the Fedex Cup. So what if none of them have a Major? Garcia, Fowler, and Kuch are just regular Tour players who are way underachieving

      • Ronald Montesano

        Jul 16, 2016 at 12:34 pm

        Haggis,

        Nice thoughts. Some of the fellows HAVE to break through at some point. For Sergio, it will take a 65 on Sunday. For the rest, not this go-round.

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Tour Photo Galleries

Photos from the 2026 Memorial Tournament

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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

Pullout Albums

 

 

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Tour Tech Rundown: Heroic Henley

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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

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

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Russell Henley’s winning WITB: 2026 Charles Schwab Challenge

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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

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