News
Saturday at the Ryder Cup: Five Things We Learned
For the faint of heart, the 2025 Ryder Cup is already resigned to the history books. The Blue team is 3.5 points away from a second consecutive victory, and what would be a sixth in the eight most recent playings of the event. It would also represent the sixth win as visiting team since 1991. For the warrior, the next greatest comeback is yet to be written. Boston for Team USA and Chicago for Team Europe represent the largest comeback moments for each. Knowing NYC as we do, the Big Apple will want to top those other cities. We shall find out on Sunday if Team USA can somehow win the equivalent of ten match points, and wrest the Ryder Cup from European hands.
With this installment of five things we learned, I’m going to take a bit of an introspective look, something along the lines of Stuart Smalley on Saturday Night Live, back in an earlier day. The USA may be good enough and smart enough, and people may like its team, but it has trouble winning. What are some things that have gone sideways this week, and what might be done to rectify those missteps? Let’s take a look at five of them.
1. USA #1 golfers can’t win with a partner
Team USA has had two, longstanding world #1 golfers over the past thirty years. Both Tiger Woods and Scottie Scheffler had trouble winning with a partner. Woods was nine wins, nineteen losses, and tie with his partners. Scheffler is 0-4 in 2025 alone, having lost each of his four matches. He and Bryson are the only Team USA players to compete in each match. Bryson hasn’t fared much better, holding a 1-3 record thus far. In a moment of exasperation, the two were paired on Saturday afternoon, and they went down to defeat by 3 & 2.
In contrast, European leaders Rory McIlroy (3-0-1) and Jon Rahm (3-1) have exemplary records with very different partners. The Ryder Cup dating app has matched McIlroy with Tommy Fleetwood and Shane Lowry, while Rahm has found relationship success with Tyrrell Hatton and Sepp Straka. Would these matches have remained if roles were reversed, and Side Red had taken the early lead? Impossible to speculate, but my suspicion is yes.
Over the past matches, Europe has had less player turnover than USA. That’s a very USA thing, ironically. It’s the USA that has been more egalitarian, welcoming as many as four debutantes each year to the team. The Ryder Cup, established as an exhibition match, appears to be just that for Team USA, and something more for Team Europe.

FARMINGDALE, NY – SEPTEMBER 27: Cameron Young and Bryson DeChambeau of Team United States pose with Ludvig Aberg and Matt Fitzpatrick of Team Europe on the first hole tee box during the 2025 Ryder Cup on the Black Course at Bethpage State Park on Saturday, September 27, 2025 in Farmingdale, New York. (Photo by Darren Carroll/PGA of America)
2. Keep the Captain around
Team Europe has experimented with multi-term captaincies. Tony Jacklin did the job for four consecutive matches. Bernard Gallacher held the title for three consecutive playings. This is all since 1980, just 45 years ago. Luke Donald is in his second consecutive cycle, and sometimes, it’s the right thing to do. Keegan Bradley is a fellow who seems to love wearing the Red, White, and Blue of Team USA, and if he wants the job again in Ireland, it should be his. He’ll be wiser, for all the trappings and nuances that wisdom includes and brings. Heck, if he’s playing well and wants to be a playing captain, let him try that out. It’s an exhibition, right? Not like Team USA has the secret sauce that won Space Jam.
Bradley has passion, and he has been wise enough to listen to his team when making selections for this year’s squad and pairings. He has my vote for another chance to helm Side USA in two years.

FARMINGDALE, NY – SEPTEMBER 27: Team United States Captain Keegan Bradley reacts on the first hole tee box during the 2025 Ryder Cup on the Black Course at Bethpage State Park on Saturday, September 27, 2025 in Farmingdale, New York. (Photo by Darren Carroll/PGA of America)
3. Grow some course competitive familiarity
Bethpage Black may represent something familiar to American golf fans, but the last time it held a major professional event was 2019, for the PGA Championship. Few of the American side played Bethpage Black in 2019. In contrast, guys like Fleetwood, Lowry, Fitzpatrick, and McIlroy were there for Team Europe. Adare Manor, site of the 2027 matches, does not host a regular DP Word Tour event. Fortunately for both sides, the J.P. Mcmanus Pro-Am is contested there each year. Time to lobby for a few more spots in that coveted, unofficial event. Get to know the course, and take the proper approach.

FARMINGDALE, NY – SEPTEMBER 27: Tommy Fleetwood of Team Europe chips onto the green on the fourth hole during the 2025 Ryder Cup on the Black Course at Bethpage State Park on Saturday, September 27, 2025 in Farmingdale, New York. (Photo by Michael Reaves/PGA of America)
4. Find guys like this
Cameron Young was made for this year’s event. No matter what happens in his Sunday singles match with Justin Rose, he’ll leave Bethpage Black with at least a 2-2 record. There’s no bravado to Young, no outlandish bellows nor beatings of the chest. He shows up, he shuts up, and he grinds. He has the caddie mentality of being a part of the machine, not the entire machine. J.J. Spaun and Ben Griffin are similar to Young, but they did not have the Bethpage knowledge (state federation high school title and NY state open title) that Young gained as an amateur. Keep the quiet grinders. There’s no need for churlish, outlandish acts of desperation, in a sport that despises them.

FARMINGDALE, NY – SEPTEMBER 27: Cameron Young of Team United States putts on the sixth hole during the 2025 Ryder Cup on the Black Course at Bethpage State Park on Saturday, September 27, 2025 in Farmingdale, New York. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/PGA of America)
5. Sheath the driver and bless the putter
Every golfer, amateur and professional, can play intelligent, savvy golf by backing off from the big stick. Hitting approach shots from the short grass, as often as possible, give more opportunity to hit the ball closer to the hole. Knowing when to hit a choked-up driver, or something less, is the mark of an advancing competitor. No one can determine when the putter is going to cooperate. Many of the golfers in this year’s event, have utilized the services of the world’s top putting coaches. Why are some putting better than others? Fortune and fate. Something beyond our knowledge-scape has seized control of their flat sticks, and decreed that the ball will find its home, at the bottom of the cup. For Team USA, finding a local enchantress or warlock in County Adare might be the best alternative prescription for success, two years from now. With that last, tongue-in-cheek remark, enjoy the final day of Ryder Cup 2025. Success to all 24 competitors.
FARMINGDALE, NY – SEPTEMBER 27: Cameron Young of Team United States putts on the sixth hole during the 2025 Ryder Cup on the Black Course at Bethpage State Park on Saturday, September 27, 2025 in Farmingdale, New York. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/PGA of America)
Tour Photo Galleries
Photos from the 2026 Memorial Tournament
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
News
Tour Tech Rundown: Heroic Henley
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
News
Russell Henley’s winning WITB: 2026 Charles Schwab Challenge
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



P
Sep 28, 2025 at 2:23 pm
Sheath the driver indeed!! Both Scottie and Rors are STILL playing the Qi10 and not the 35, tell TM to quit trying to pump something out every year just because, since it’s clear that they can continue with what works and sell more of those based on the best 2 players of the world.
B k
Sep 28, 2025 at 11:54 am
Justin thomas is a hypocrite cu11t. He goads the crowd into a frenzy and then ask the crowd to quiet down like he’s nice guy.
Makex
Sep 28, 2025 at 9:56 am
2.5 points required for Team Europe (not 3.5). Right?
P
Sep 28, 2025 at 2:24 pm
Correct
mg
Sep 28, 2025 at 8:47 am
Only the PGA could destroy a Tillinghast design. Shame on you. A Sony open pitch and putt Ryder cup.