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Morning 9: ANWA anticipation builds | Finau’s Masters shoe | Tiger’s Masters checklist

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7 years ago

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By Ben Alberstadt ([email protected])

April 2, 2019

Good Tuesday morning, golf fans.
1. Anticipation building
Golf Digest’s Ryan Herrington filed a look at the ramp up to the ANWA in general, and the competitors taking the course at Augusta National in particular.
  • “With the most anticipated debut of a golf tournament in decades beginning in earnest on Wednesday, many compelling questions regarding the ANWA remain unanswered. How will one of the world’s most historic courses play when the world’s top female amateurs attempt to make history of their own? Competitors will tee it up from a version of Augusta National’s members tees playing 6,365 yards. But will the greens be as speedy as they are a week later when the Masters is played? And where will the scores fall? Plus, what will it be like for contenders to have the competition pause for a day mid-tournament? How will nerves factor into the entire affair for the entire 72-player field that will christen the championship?”
  • “The unknowns add their own intrigue to an already exciting event…”I think that’s what’s one of the trickiest parts here,” said Mexico’s Maria Fassi, a senior at Arkansas who is No. 9 in the World Amateur Golf Ranking. “We’re all so excited about having the opportunity to play at Augusta, but we’re also supposed to be competing out there. Once I’m there, I don’t think it’s going to be a problem. I think it will be all about business when I’m on the golf course. But in between shots, and before and after, I’ll make sure to enjoy just the opportunity of being at Augusta National.”
2. Kuchar, Garcia: It’s time to move on
Well this is…interesting…
Bill Speros at Golfweek…”Speaking Monday together from Austin, Texas, while in a golf cart, the two veteran golfers issued a joint “it’s all good” statement via Instagram video. Kuchar held his smile nearly the whole time, with his outstretched arm behind Garcia who sat forward in the driver’s seat.”
  • “It was nice to run into Matt Kuchar at Austin Golf Club today. A lot has been said about Saturday and most has been misconstrued. We’re all good here. Nothing but respect for each other and it’s time to move on,” Garcia wrote on Instagram.
  • “We are going over what happened with our match, and the aftermath,” Kuchar says in the video. “What’s gone on in the aftermath is just incorrect. Wrong. Shouldn’t have happened. I want to tell you Sergio handled the thing extremely well.
3. Tiger’s Masters checklist
Excellent stuff from ESPN’s Bob Harig examining to the state of Tiger Woods game as he heads to Augusta.
  • He writes…”Still, it’s hard not to believe that Woods’ game is in far better shape than it was in 2018 heading to the Masters, even if the preceding results might not be as impressive. He’s stronger, seemingly healthier and has his equipment dialed in.”
  • From Harig’s breakdown of Woods’ putting…”This continues to be a concern. Forget the putt Woods missed that would have extended his match against Lucas Bjerregaard on Saturday. He missed a couple of short ones earlier that day and has had shaky moments throughout the year. Six three-putt greens at both Riviera and Mexico cost him higher finishes at both tournaments. He seemed to find a groove on smoother greens in Florida at The Players. His issues at Austin Country Club during the Match Play seemed to center around difficulty reading the greens at a tricky layout. A lack of rounds there certainly didn’t help, either.”
  • “Whatever the case, Woods ranks just 78th on the PGA Tour in strokes gained putting. He is also 84th from 4 to 8 feet and 150th from 5 feet. All of that suggests too many misses from a range that is so important.”
4. The people’s champ
Daniel Rapaport at Sports Illustrated on Kevin Kisner, the PGA Tour start for the common man.
“Kevin Kisner is not one of those guys. The 35-year-old-who just picked up the biggest win of his career at the WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play-is 5 feet, 10 inches of candor, humor and humility. Fans, journalists and other players appreciate Kisner because he keeps it real, and that’s why his victory on Sunday was so popular within the golf world.”
“Kiz was asked about the $1.74 million he took home for the win. True to form, he responsed: “I’m the cheapest guy in the world. I hoard that money like crazy, because I don’t want it to run out. I don’t know how long I’m going to be able to make 10-footers,” he said.”
“You would be wrong. In an interview with Barstool’s Fore Play podcast, Kisner was asked about his odds at each of the four host venues this year.
  • On Augusta: “They changed No. 5 to 495, so that adds another bogey for me.”
  • On Bethpage Black: “PGA, Bethpage, got no chance there.”
  • On Pebble Beach: “I can play decent if the USGA wasn’t running it.”
  • On Royal Portrush: “I’ve got no idea about Ireland.”
5. Shop With Golf — and Bill Murray
Alexandra Bruell at the Wall Street Journal reports NBC is getting into something…interesting…
  • “Comcast Corp.’s NBCUniversal, known for programming like “Friends,” “This Is Us” and the “Real Housewives” franchise, wants to sell you golf socks and polos. The company plans to introduce e-commerce marketplaces, seeking a new revenue stream from brands that aren’t necessarily buying costly national TV ads.”
  • “The first marketplace, called Shop With Golf, will be aligned with NBCU’s Golf Channel, selling products from brands that cater to fans of the sport. William Murray Golf, an apparel brand from actor Bill Murray and his five brothers, is among the 30-plus brands initially slated to sell products on the website.”
  • And this…”NBCU tapped Mr. Murray to help it promote Shop With Golf. In a 30-second TV ad set to run for 13 weeks across various NBCU properties including MSNBC and CNBC, Mr. Murray loosely evaluates his own performance on the golf course-a joke for golfers who are notorious for inflating their scores. Mr. Murray and his five brothers also star in an online music video accessible on the website, among content featuring other brands.”
6. ANWA tee times
Golfweek’s Beth Ann Nichols with the details…”Jennifer Kupcho, No. 1 in the World Amateur Golf Ranking, heads out first alongside Olivia Mehaffey of Northern Ireland and Thailand super teen Atthaya Thitikul.”
  • “The 9:36 a.m. group features one of the hottest junior players in the country in Alexa Pano as well as Maria Fassi, the 2018 ANNIKA Award winner and Wenyung Keh of New Zealand.”
  • “Teeing off on No. 10 at that time (9:36 a.m.) is another notable threesome -Andrea Lee, who recently set a school record for tournament wins at Stanford, former NCAA champ Virginia Elena Carta and USC’s Jennifer Chang.”
7. Rory Foundation closed
Not jumping to any conclusions, but this is interesting. Per an Irish News report…
  • “The charitable foundation set up by Co Down golfer Rory McIlroy has closed, it has emerged. The Rory Foundation, which was established in 2013 to offer support to children’s charities, is understood to have ceased operations in December.
  • However, no major announcement has been made about its closure. A spokeswoman for the company which handled press enquiries for the foundation, last night confirmed the closure.
  • “The Rory Foundation is no longer active,” she said. “Rory is adopting a private philanthropic policy”.
8. Masters field update
Golf Digest’s Joel Beall on the Masters field as it stands now…which is as one of the smallest in 20 years.
“But as big as this Masters may appear, it will actually be quite small. At least in terms of the field.”
“Justin Harding and Shane Lowry qualified for the Masters on Sunday, finishing inside the Official World Golf Ranking top 50. Their invitations bring the number of competitors to 86. If that figure holds, it would be the fewest amount of players to tee it up at the Masters since the 1997 tournament.”
“There is still one spot up for grabs at this week’s Valero Texas Open, as the winner receives an invitation if he’s not already eligible.”
9. Finau’s Masters shoe
There wasn’t a better golf-related April Fools joke than this…
For those looking to go a bit further down the rabbit hole of silliness, Nike released a short video about the development of the shoe.

Related Topics:

Ben Alberstadt is the Editor-in-Chief at GolfWRX, where he’s led editorial direction and gear coverage since 2018. He first joined the site as a freelance writer in 2012 after years spent working in pro shops and bag rooms at both public and private golf courses, experiences that laid the foundation for his deep knowledge of equipment and all facets of this maddening game. Based in Philadelphia, Ben’s byline has also appeared on PGATour.com, Bleacher Report...and across numerous PGA DFS and fantasy golf platforms. Off the course, Ben is a committed cat rescuer and, of course, a passionate Philadelphia sports fan. Follow him on Instagram @benalberstadt.

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Tour Photo Galleries

Photos from the 2026 Memorial Tournament

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4 weeks ago

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Jun 1, 2026

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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

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Tour Tech Rundown: Heroic Henley

Published

4 weeks ago

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Jun 1, 2026

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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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4 weeks ago

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May 31, 2026

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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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