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Tour Rundown: Partner events aplenty | One trophy to rule them all

Published

7 years ago

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It was a week of partner events on the PGA and Champions tours, and a reminder that unique events are a welcome respite from the 72-hole grind. In fact, team events should be mandated for each of the tours, as long as the spoils of victory make the events worthwhile. There were other goings-on this week, too. The European Tour was in action in Africa, while the ladies of the LPGA traveled to Los Angeles for a run at historic Wilshire Country Club. It’s time for a sundown Rundown of five of the world’s tours, so turn on those headlights and have a watch.

Zurich Classic triumph ironically delicious for Rahm and Palmer

Both Jon Rahm and Ryan Palmer came to the Big Easy as cast-offs, solo artists in search of a partner. By week’s end, they were champions and, in all probability, partners until the end of time. The Spaniard and the Texan entered round 4 in a tie with Scott Stallings and Trey Mullinax, who proceeded to put on a clinic on how not to bring home a win (sorry, boys.) In direct contrast, the winners shook off a 6th-hole bogey with 3 back-nine birdies, to separate themselves from a chasing field. Ryder Cup heroes Tommy Fleetwood and Sergio Garcia gave serious chase, posting 4 birdies and 1 eagle on day four. They needed to be perfect to catch the front runners, and two bogeys along the way did them in. Had they somehow reached -25, one shy of the winning total, they would certainly have given Rahm and Palmer more to consider. As things were, the victors negotiated the waters and sands of TPC Louisiana over the closing holes. A bomb of a par save at hole 15 by Rahm kept them at 26-under par, and three pars later, they were champions.

Don Jorge Campillo claims 1st European Tour win at Trophee Hassan II

Jorge Campillo did a 4-year, tour of duty at Indiana University during the mid 2000s. He embarked on a professional career in 2009, and established himself as a likely tour winner. 10 years later, perhaps more than anyone envisioned, Campillo played with less than his best at Dar Es Salaam, emerging from the battle with a 2-shot victory over 3 runners-up. Campillo has been close before, with a handful of 2nd-place results. His opportunities were there, but some errant shot or decision always did him in. On this day, he ground out a total of 9 strokes beneath par, 2 better than Julian Suri, Erik Van Rooyen and Sean Crocker. Each of the runners-up had his chance at the trophy, but (sound familiar?) errant shots and decisions did them in. The victory moved Campillo into the world’s top 70 golfers, poised to begin receiving the big-event invitations.

Los Angeles Open is Minjee’s 5th LPGA victory

When golfers like Lorena Ochoa or Annika Sorenstam won what we perceived to be every start, golf fans were spoiled. Minjee Lee, like Ariya Jutanugarn and Inbee Park, has the potential to be one of those golfers, but needs more wins. Her first four wins on tour were by 2, 1, 1 and 1 strokes. On Sunday, Lee finished 4 strokes clear of Sei Young Kim, although it can’t be called a runaway triumph. Lee’s lead was down to 1 stroke at one point, then she dug deep and separated herself from the field. In direct contrast, her 4th-round companion, Nanna Madsen, saw her weaknesses exposed. The golfer from Denmark made her only birdie of the final day at the 16th, and that after 6 bogeys over the first 15 holes. As poised as Minjee showed, the raw promise of Madsen gave way to butterflies, jitters and mistakes. In the land of dreams, often only one comes true on a given day.

Dormie Network Classic a walkaway for Zhang

As if anyone needed an explanation on why Xinjun Zhang had the 54-hole lead at the inaugural Dormie Network Classic, here it is: he shot the low daily round, each of the first three days. Opening with 63-64-65 is stunning, and the onus was on the 31-year old pro from China to hold it together on day four. A 55th-hole bogey might have unnerved him, but only for a moment. 3 birdies followed and Zhang preserved his handful-of-strokes lead through 63 holes. With no one making a run, a 1-under 35 coming home was enough to bring him his first international victory. Last week’s cup-holder, Lanto Griffin, made a game run at a 2nd consecutive triumph. He ultimately tied with Chase Seiffert, one of 4 golfers to shoot all 4 rounds in the 60s. In conclusion, have a look at the winner’s final numbers for the week: 28 birdies (11 on day one!), 2 eagles, and 6 bogies. Salute!

Top of the Rock welcomes the oldest winner in the oldest senior event

Way back … well, in the 1970s, the Legends of Golf confirmed that fans did want to see the heroes of a former age. Names like Don January, Sam Snead and Roberto DiVicenzo put eyes on the screen and feet on the fairways. From that humble origin, the Champions tour was born. In 2019, the event has a new home in the Ozark mountains, at the Top of the Rock resort. It also has a new format, folding a par-three course into the mix. One thing that hasn’t changed, is the hope that the Legends of Golf event, and its brethren, give to golfers once thought past their prime. This year, Scott Hoch became the oldest winner in the tour’s 40-year history, teaming with Tom Pernice, jr. for a 5-stroke victory. Teams played one round of four ball (better ball) over the Ozark National golf course, joined by two over the par-three Top of the Rock course. On Sunday, Hoch and Pernice played 8-under par golf over 18 holes to hold off the defending champions, Paul Broadhurst and Kirk Triplett. Their closest, overnight pursuers all fell by the wayside with over-par final rounds. It wasn’t quite a walk in the park, but it was an easier stroll than either winner anticipated.

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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.

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Tour Photo Galleries

Photos from the 2026 Memorial Tournament

Published

4 weeks ago

on

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

Pullout 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

Published

4 weeks ago

on

May 31, 2026

By

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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WITB

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