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Tour Rundown: New event, familiar name, terrific finish
Not many folks knew that a 26-event streak was in the offing, unless you were an ardent follower of the LPGA circuit. You had to swear that a player had won twice this year. There were two different golfers named Kim. There were two sisters named Iwai. Along came Lydia, Minjee, Jeeno, Charley, and Brooke. Lottie seemed to appear out of nowhere, and Grace came back, seemingly out of nowhere. There was even a partner event, and neither winner won on her own. Finally, in October, a golfer repeated as a 2025 winner, a feat that almost didn’t happen. That’s parity of the highest sort. Do fans like bushels of great golfers, or do they want one or two super-great ones? Impossible to say in this moment, but it gives us plenty to consider (unless someone wins three or four of the closing six events).
We also have plenty “tour” to run down this week. I was at “The Bridges of Madison County” on Friday, and “The Notebook” on Sunday, so I’ve had quite the fill-up of musical drama for the weekend. Now it’s time to lay out a different sort of drama, the kind that only golf brings.
PGA @ Baycurrent: New event, familiar name, terrific finish
Xander Schauffele has had a few moments in Japan. He tied for 10th at the Zozo in 2019, and won an Olympic gold medal in 2021. This year, he waged battle with Max Greyserman and Michael Thorbjornsen over the weekend, and came out on top of the renamed PGA Tour in event in Nippon, the land of the sun’s origin.
Greyserman had reached 130 strokes over two days’ play. He stood alone in first place, four shots clear of Schauffele and Alex Smalley. On Saturday, MG had some engine trouble, and coughed his way through a paucity of birdies, to a 71. This gave Schauffele the opening he needed, and his 67 drew him even with 18 to play. Lurking was the young Stanford alumnus with the Scandinavian name. Thorbjornsen posted the low round of day-three competition, and moved into position for an upset. On Sunday, the trio posted two 64s and a 65. Schauffele had one bogey and eight birdies, the last coming at the par-three 17th hole. He reached 19-under par on the week. Thorbjornsen had an early burst of eagle and four birdies, but the inward nine at Yokohama held him at bay. He needed 61 to tie Schauffele but birdie at the last could bring him just to minus-16, good for solo third. Greyserman posted birdie at the last for stand-alone second, but the 13th victory of his PGA Tour career came instead to Schauffele.
LPGA @ Buick Shanghai: End of the streak and second for Jeeno
We detailed the streak of one-time winners this LPGA season, so let’s focus now on how the streak came to an end. For a long time on Sunday, it was destined to continue. Minami Katsu was cruising to a 65, headed toward a 24-under finish, buoyed by a round-two 61. Minjee Lee would finish five shots back, apparently the closest pursuer. Then came Jeeno Thitikul.
Beginning at the 14th hole, the Thai champion ran off three birdies and an eagle to jump out of a tie with Minjee into contention. She and Katsu would finish at the same address: 264 Winner’s Lane. Off they went to a playoff to determine who would hoist the winner’s silver. After two pars each at 18, the duo moved to the 10th, where more pars were recorded. The fourth hole returned to 18, but pars again called for another trip down 10. Finally, on the fifth playoff hole, Jeeno knocked her approach close, for the only birdie of the extra session. Katsu was close, but Jeeno had a second 2025 win, and the streak was a memory.
Korn Ferry @ Tour Championship: Blanchett bags a big one
There were a lot of eyes this week on Johnny Keefer. The lad was poised to win the champion’s belt by even more strokes and move into the world top fifty despite not playing a PGA Tour schedule. Keefer played solid golf, but never broke into the 60s, a must for a win at Pete Dye’s French Lick course.
Neal Shipley, runner-up to Nick Dunlap in the 2023 U.S. Amateur, was the lead pony after round two in Indiana. Barend Botha of South Africa moved to the top after 54 holes, but the trophy and glory were anyone’s to grasp. On day four, it was Chandler Blanchett who made the big move. Coming from 4th position, Blanchett posted 66 on the day to eclipse Botha, Shipley, and all others. He moved from 7th to 2nd on the season-long points race, trailing only the aforementioned Johnny Keefer.
Blanchett did his work early. He reached 7 under on the day through thirteen holes, then eased up on the gas pedal. He closed in 1 over figures over the final five holes, but his 66 was enough to keep Botha at bay. The South African challenger simply could not find consistency on the day. Botha ran birdie-bogey-birdie-bogey-par over the closing pentathlon to claim solo second.
DP World Tour @ Open de España: It’s Penge in overtime
He’s not an overnight success story. He’s not a wunderkind with decades of professional golf ahead. He’s the English lad with the Italian name, and he is the breakout story of 2025 for the DP World Tour. Mike Keiser once proposed that one golf course is a curiosity, but two make it a destination. For Penge, if a first win in April made him a curiosity, then wins two and three, in August and October, make him something more.
Despite the two earlier wins, Penge still must learn to win from in front. He held a sizable advantage through 54 holes, but his plus-one closer gave hope to many. Joel Girbach made a run but finished on 14 under par, one behind the lead pair. Countryman Daniel Brown signed for a second, weekend 67 and matched Penge at 15 under par. With all the wind in his sails, Brown made par at the first extra hole…and lost. Penge summoned masterful strokes from somewhere and posted a birdie on the hole he parred moments before.
PGA Tour Champions @ SAS: It’s Cejka at the tape
You know that Ernie Els will show up at the close of play, but you’re never quite certain that he and his pit crew will have the winning formula. Els has one win and three runner-up finishes this year on Tour Champions, and that seems to be the story of his competitive career. He has 79 career victories across the world’s major tours, seven of them on the senior circuit. Els wins often, and perhaps that unfairly made us want him to win always. It’s impossible, right?
Els and Alex Cejka were matched in round four. The German champions, one-time World Cup partners, went back and forth all day. Els was better over the course of the round, but needed a lower number to truly put pressure on Cejka. Over the final three holes, the Big Easy was one under par and reached minus-six for the week. After a bogey at 15 brought him back to minus-seven and a bit of doubt, Cejka closed with birdies at 17 and 18 to claim a three-shot win.
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...
