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MORNING 9: McGinley: Game under threat | Homa’s ball switch | Brooks out of AT&T

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By Ben Alberstadt with Gianni Magliocco and Matthew Vincenzi.
For comments: [email protected].
May 12, 2022
Good Thursday morning, golf fans, as day one of the AT&T Bryson Nelson gets underway in Texas.
1. McGinley: The game is under threat
Mike Hall for Golf Monthly…“Paul McGinley has expressed his concern over the future of the professional game in light of the latest twist in the saga of the inaugural LIV Golf Invitational Series.”
  • “The PGA Tour has officially declined LIV Golf releases, with the DP World Tour reportedly following suit. The PGA Tour’s move led to an immediate backlash from series frontman Greg Norman, who vowed that the venture will not be stopped, and McGinley fears that the series threatens the very future of the professional game.”
  • “Speaking on SiriusXM PGA Tour Radio, the 2014 Ryder Cup-winning captain, who sits on the board of the DP World Tour, said: “The professional game at the moment is under threat from potentially a rival league who kind of want to reinvent very much what golf has been and what it will be going forward, so it’s interesting.”
2. JT hopes PGA Tour’s decision to deny Saudi releases keeps them from going
ESPN’s Mark Schlabach…”With players facing potential suspensions and/or lifetime bans, Justin Thomas hopes the PGA Tour’s decision to deny conflicting-events releases for the first event of the Saudi Arabian-backed LIV Golf Invitational Series will prevent players from going to London next month.”
  • “I would hope it would deter them from going over there,” Thomas said Wednesday, during a news conference ahead of this week’s AT&T Byron Nelson at TPC Craig Ranch.
  • “I think (PGA Commissioner Jay Monahan) made it very clear from the start of what would happen. I think a lot of people are probably like, ‘I can’t believe you did this,’ or, ‘Wow, you went through with it.’ But this is what he said was going to happen all along. And, yeah, it’s one of those things to where he just doesn’t want the competing tour, the back and forth.”
3. Bjorn named RC vice captain
AP report…“Bjorn on Wednesday became the first vice captain announced by the European team, which will look to regain the trophy from the Americans in Rome.”
  • “It will be the Dane’s fifth stint as a vice captain, while he was also captain when Europe beat the United States in France in 2018.”
  • “I trust him implicitly,” Stenson said of Bjorn, “and I know any advice he will give me will be honest and direct. He will not simply tell me what he thinks I want to hear, and that will be important.”
4. LIV Golf touts “immersive fan village” in release
From a press release…”LIV Golf today unveiled initial details on the array of fan activities taking place June 9-11 at Centurion Club, site of the first-ever LIV Golf Invitational Series tournament. All General Admission tickets will be all-inclusive of the unique activations that will engage fans of all ages in celebration of the game of golf.”
  • “Gates will open at 11 a.m. all three days of tournament play in advance of the 2 p.m. shotgun start, so guests can enjoy and take part in all of the interactive activities onsite. Grounds passes will allow fans to walk the course, view the tournament from select viewing platforms and grant entry to the massive Fan Village. This immersive area will celebrate the spirit of London with Covent Garden-style street performers and a food and drink festival atmosphere inspired by the best of Borough Market. A specially designed Kids Zone will also engage youth with children’s entertainers, face painting, soft play equipment for climbing, ‘crazy golf’ putting challenges, and educational activations based on STEM lessons.”
  • “Also in the Fan Village, LIV Golf’s Performance Centre will feature professional coaches who will offer tips as guests test their skills on swing simulators and a Zen Green Stage® with PuttView surface, recreating the challenging slopes and expert shots completed by their favorite pros at the world’s most iconic courses. Meanwhile, gamers can deploy in the Metaverse Tent, where Esports and virtual reality exhibits will take fans inside the game through friendly competition. LIV Golf will also present an Eco Village where all items will have a sustainable life cycle, including a hydration area, mobile recycling unit, eco retail store, power bikes, and recycled furniture.”
5. Koepka WD
Golf Channel’s Ryan Lavner…”Brooks Koepka’s PGA Championship tune-up ended before it began.”
  • “Koepka withdrew from the AT&T Byron Nelson early Wednesday morning, with no reason given. He was replaced in the field by Satoshi Kodaira.”
  • “Koepka’s withdrawal puts into question his readiness for the PGA Championship, which he won in both 2018 and ’19. His manager did not immediately respond to a request for comment.”
6. On Shane Ryan’s latest
Golfweek’s Adam Schupak…”No offense to the many other accounts of the Ryder Cup through the years, but “The Cup They Couldn’t Lose: America, the Ryder Cup and the Long Road to Whistling Straits (Hachette, $29),” provides the definitive explanation for the European renaissance in the Ryder Cup and how America got its groove back.”
  • “Heading to Whistling Straits last September, the great mystery of the Ryder Cup had been that America routinely lost despite having the superior team. “You know, if I could put my finger on it, we would have changed this bleep a long time ago,” said losing 2018 U.S. Ryder Cup Captain Jim Furyk.”
  • “That quote from the prologue perfectly encompasses what author Shane Ryan sets out to do in the 289 pages that follow. He puts more than a finger on it; he diagnoses what he terms “the 40-year disease” in astounding detail, artfully piecing together the history of this biennial match-play event pitting teams of 12 players each from the United States versus initially, Great Britain and Ireland, and since 1979, players from throughout Europe.”
7. Max Homa’s interesting reason for a ball switch
Our Andrew Tursky writing for PGATour.com…”On Tuesday, two days after his Wells Fargo victory, Homa explained why he changed into the newer model of Titleist’s Pro V1 despite his reluctance to make a switch in that department. Homa had no intentions to switch from the 2019 version of the Pro V1 after starting this season with a win at the Fortinet Championship. But he used the 2021 Pro V1 to win at Wells Fargo.”
  • “I hate switching the golf ball,” Homa told GolfWRX. “(Titleist) sent me one of those prototype boxes of the 2021 Pro V1, and I didn’t even touch it. I was playing good with my ’19. I was like, ‘Why would I switch this out?’”
  • “During the January trip to Oceanside, however, Homa was convinced to make the change into the new model for two main reasons. First, the driving ranges at PGA TOUR events use the 2021 model of the ProV1, not the 2019 that he had been using. The newer version also has similar performance and feel on longer shots while spinning more on short-game shots.”
  • “When I went down (to Oceanside), JJ was like, ‘Listen, we want you to switch to the new ball for two reasons. Obviously it’s the new ball, but second, it’s going to be easy for you, when you practice, because the balls on the road are the 2021. We don’t have the ’19,’” Homa said. “I’m like, ‘OK, JJ, I’m playing some friggin’ golf right now, I don’t want to change the most important part of the game, like the one thing we hit every time.’”
  • “Although he was reluctant to make the switch, Homa spent time testing the newer 2021 Pro V1 model, and sure enough, he found the performance to be “so similar” through the bag, except he gained spin around the greens.”
  • “Most times you’ll get a golf ball and you’re like, ‘This is awesome off the tee,’ and then you’ll look at the irons and it changed the irons a little bit – the distances and the spin – and then you’ll go to the green and be like, ‘Oh it’s not spinning as much as my old one, or it’s spinning more than my old one,’” Homa said. “This one (the 2021 Pro V1), I felt like it was a really similar change from driver and irons, and then I just had to get a little bit used to it around the greens. Like I said, it spins a shade more for me.”
8. Rory McIlroy pinpoints reason for major drought
Jamie Hall for Bunkered…“In an appearance on 5 Live Sport’s All About: The Open podcast, the 33-year-old was asked about his eight-year drought.
  • “I think I haven’t given myself enough chances,” McIlroy said.
  • “I think if I would have had more chances, and realistic chances, it’s a bit like tournaments as well – the more you just keep putting yourself in those positions, the more comfortable you’re going to feel up there.
  • “Sooner or later, if you keep knocking on the door, one of those doors is going to open for you.”
9. Photos from the Byron Nelson
GolfWRX is live from this week’s Byron Nelson, where we have selected galleries including plenty of WITBs in our forum.

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

Pullout Albums

 

 

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Tour Tech Rundown: Heroic Henley

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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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