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Tour Rundown: 25 or 6 to 4
Championship golf for August bid farewell with the second of three, PGA Tour playoff events. And a Korn Ferry tour championship. And a pair of standard LPGA and Euro championships. And an early-week Champions Tour tout. In other words, the type of week that golf fans need, as they cede attention (possible) to NFL football in the coming fortnight. We’ve run it all down for you, so have a read of this week’s Tour Rundown.
PGA Tour: 44 or 663-Rahm and Johnson Chicago-style the BMW Championship
Waiting for the break of day
Searching for something to say
That old Chicago band number, 25 or 6 to 4, came to mind on Sunday, when two titans did battle at Olympia Fields. First came Jon Rahm, once and future King of Golf, who re-staked a claim to world number one with his performance. Then came Dustin Johnson, current and also-future King of Golf, who nearly topped the Basque colossus. It was a Sunday that was good for golf, and reminded us why immortals need to exist in this sport of wise women and men.
Staring blindly into space
Getting up to splash my face
As bit players, Joaquin Niemann and Hideki Matsuyama did their part. Niemann surged to the lead early, but could not dig deeper under par to stake a titular claim. The Chilean finished on -2, worthy of a third-place tie with Matsu. Hideki lifted up the 54-hole lead, and his minus-one might have worked on another day. Still, he didn’t collapse, which lesser players would have done.
Wondering how much I can take
Should have tried to do some more
In regulation play, Jon Rahm kept improving. 75 to 71 to 66 to 64. The once-impenetrable OF course became vulnerable, and Rahm kept tapping the tree for more syrup. Flawless on the day, with six birdies and zero bogeys, he somehow saved the best for last. There was little more that he could have done. Johnson matched Hideki through 54 holes, and had but one hiccough on day four: a bogey at the tenth. Thanks to Rahm’s stellar execution, the lanky Palmetto found himself one in arrears as he reached the 72nd green. Facing an unreadable, indecipherable putt of 43 feet, Johnson somehow read and deciphered it, and drained it to forge a tie. He also (almost) showed emotion. OVERTIME!!!
Dancing lights against the sky
Giving up I close my eyes
Return the leviathans did, to the 18th tee. This time, it was Rahm’s turn to face the unreadable and indecipherable, except it was not 66 feet, 3 inches. Away it went , at an angle from which a homeward turn seemed impossible. And then, it began to turn, and slow, and turn some more, until it dropped for a birdie that Johnson did not match. At 25 years of age, Rahm had bested the 6 feet, 4 inch Johnson, in a championship for all time.
25 or 6 To 4, indeed.
Korn Ferry Tour: Tour Championship
Brandon Wu won the 2017 Porter Cup, a major amateur event in my backyard. This is important to me, because Brandon Wu also won the 2020 Korn Ferry Tour Championship. The two courses, Niagara Falls CC and Victoria National GC, could not be more dissimilar. The former is a mildly-classic layout north of Buffalo, where shot-shaping is requisite. The latter, possibly a former fish hatchery (never proven) is myriad lakes and ponds, demanding complete domination of the aerial game. On Sunday, Wu overcame third-round leader Greyson Sigg, who made but two mistakes, to win his first professional event. Good time for it.
Sigg continued to the lead through 64 holes on Sunday, despite Wu’s surge. Sigg’s eagle at the tenth re-established a one-shot margin over the Stanford alum. Sigg then made a bad swing, which led to a double bogey at the fourteenth hole, and his lead was now a deficit. With no more flying critters on his scorecard, Sigg came up one strike shy of a tie with Wu. Both golfers made massive moves up the money roster: Sigg jumped from 21 to 6, while Wu impressed more, from 48 to 5.
LPGA: Ernst doubles victory tally with Walmart NW Arkansas Championship win
It’s a difficult chore to overcome a 63 by anyone on Sunday, unless it’s posted by the marker who accompanies the final, unpaired golfer. Austin Ernst was neither marker nor final, unpaired golfer on Sunday. She started third, and she jumped up two spots for a two-shot win over Anna Nordqvist. The win was the South Carolina daughter’s 2nd on tour, and first in six year.
It was the two bogeys on Sunday, that made the former LSU golfer’s performance even more impressive. Ernst was compelled to collect 10 birdies on the day, to overcome the pair of stumbles. Nordqvist began the final day in first, and acquitted herself well, at two-under par on the day. When Ernst notched birdie at each of the first three holes, the game was on. The 28-year old never backed off, took a one-shot lead to the 18th, and finished the day as she began, with a final birdie for a two-shot win over the Swede.
European Tour: ISPS Handa UK Championship
Rasmus Højgaard has nearly as many wins as vowels in his name. The young and (possibly) great Dane collected a second triumph in this wraparound season, in a playoff with third-round leader Justin Walters of South Africa. Like Jon Rahm above, Højgaard improved by the day, all week long. From 73 to 69, to make the cut. From there to 67, to line up for a top-ten finish, to 65 on day four, to reach a playoff at -14.
Walters had a rough final round, with two bogies and a triple threatening to turn him into an also-ran. His grit was evident, as he clawed seven birdies from the scorecard, to reach extra holes with Højgaard. The lads went back to the venerable (if flawed) 18th at the Brabazon course, where pars caused a second return. Then, Walters flinched with bogey, Højgaard was true with his par putt, and the second tour victory was forever in his hands.
PGA Tour Champions: Charles Schwab Series at Ozarks National
Once upon a time, winning a debut event on the Champions Tour was a mythical thing. Not many had done it, not even the Big Easy, Ernie Els, earlier this calendar year. Then the falling Octopus (Jim Furyk) came along this summer, and won in week one. He was followed by Phil Mickelson this week and, let’s be honest, if anyone is going to win in his Champions Tour bow, it’s lefty. He didn’t disappoint.
Dad-Bod opened with 61 on Monday (cool way to start the week, Ozarks National. We should do more of this.) Tim Petrovic, his long-time rival (not really, but I need a story line) was three back. Philly Phil phollowed up with 64, increasing the lead over the University of Hartford alum to four (Petro had 65.) On Sunday, Phil phinished with 66, matching the unflappable Petrovic’s final day tally, and the margin remained at four.
Welcome to the next stage, Phil. We know it will be a while before we see you back, but we’ll be here. Mickelson had failed to qualify for week two of the FedEx Cup playoff series, and hoped to stay sharp for the upcoming US Open. By winning against his own standard, he may have done enough to reach contention at Winged Foot in mid-September.
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...
