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GolfWRX Morning 9: McIlroy: Golf isn’t the most important thing in my life | Greenbrier’s military history | Year of the Irishman

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7 years ago

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Good morning, GolfWRX members. As most of you are signed up for our newsletters, you likely already know that I’ve been sending this little Morning 9 roundup of nine items of note.

In case you’ve missed it, or you prefer to read on site rather than in your email, we’re including it here. Check out today’s Morning 9 below.

If you’re not signed up for our newsletters, you can subscribe here.
By Ben Alberstadt (ben.alberstadt@golfwrx.com)

 

July 5, 2018

Good Thursday morning, golf fans. Hopefully, nobody is feeling the effects of one too many hot dogs and a late night watching fireworks today.  
1. McIlroy: ‘There are other things in my life that are more important than golf’

 

Rory McIlroy was his usual candid self ahead of the Irish Open (presented by his foundation). While some might say the remarks below were a calculated attempt to draw attention ahead of the tournament which benefits his charity, it’s more likely the Ulsterman was merely speaking his mind.
  • “Nothing is going to change in my life whether I win a major or not,” said McIlroy on the eve of the Irish Open. “I’d be disappointed if I didn’t but I don’t panic. It doesn’t keep me up at night.”
  • “Look, if I didn’t win another major for the rest of my career, nothing is going to change in my life whether I win one or not, but obviously I don’t feel like I’ll have fulfilled my potential,” he said.
  • “But at the same time, you know, there’s other things in my life that are more important than golf.
  • “I’d be disappointed but again, it‘s not going to change things. I don’t panic. It doesn’t keep me up at night.”
While you have to applaud his sincerity, can you imagine Woods or Nicklaus saying the above in the prime of their careers?

 

2. The Greenbrier and the military

 

“We’ve always tried to find some way to have that military tie-in and I think we just decided it was time to take it a step further and really show that commitment,” says Cam Huffman, director of communications for The Greenbrier.

 

And take it a step further they did with one of the morse interesting tournament names of on the PGA Tour:  A Military Tribute at the Greenbrier

 

While their will be plenty of interesting takes on the military tie in, Helen Ross drops some knowledge about the Greenbrier’s military history.
  • “The military connection at The Greenbrier dates back to the Civil War. The Old White Hotel, which stood on the property before The Greenbrier was built, was actually used as a hospital for both Confederate and Union soldiers at one point or other during the Civil War.
  • “The Army even bought the hotel during World War II and used it as a hospital for the wounded. Known as the Ashford General Hospital from 1942-’46, it was dubbed “The Shangri-La for Wounded Soldiers and Airmen” as service members were able to use all the facilities while they recovered. German POWs tended to the grounds and worked in the mess hall, among other duties.
  • “…Eisenhower later decided that The Greenbrier would be the perfect place to build a secret facility to house Congress in case of a nuclear attack. So construction on what was called “Project Greek Island” began in 1958.”
  • “Workers were told it would be a conference facility, and in fact, some of it was used for that purpose. Beyond those concrete walls that were 3 feet thick, though, was a facility that could house more than 1,000 government officials – complete with metal bunk beds and its own communications system.”
3. Remembering the year of the Irishman

 

The year: 2008. The golf world: dominated by a man from the Emerald Isle Jeff Shain of the NYT reflects.
  • “One began with a wrist injury painful enough that it nearly prompted him to withdraw. The other featured a bout of dehydration that left him flirting with the cut line.”
  • “In both cases, Padraig Harrington came away with a major championship.”
  • “Things fell into place,” the Irish pro, 46, recalled with a wry smile. “But you know, that’s what happens in this game. Those wins kind of find you.”
  • “It’s been 10 years since Harrington swept through the British Open and the P.G.A. Championship, grabbing the limelight in a summer void of Tiger Woods once reconstructive knee surgery followed Woods’s epic United States Open triumph.”
  • “Historical looks at Woods’s 19-hole playoff victory at Torrey Pines in San Diego were a staple of last month’s U.S. Open run-up. Now as Harrington sets for his 23rd consecutive Irish Open, which begins Thursday at Ballyliffin Golf Club, his double conquest commands attention.”
Shain does an excellent job of the aforementioned: read it.
4. Back to the espresso machine…

 

Sam Locke, who works in the cafe at Paul Lawrie’s academy, qualified for The Open. He was back to his post behind the counter the next day.
  • James Corrigan writes...”Sam Locke did not have time to allow his Open dream to percolate. A little more than 12 hours after qualifying for Carnoustie, the 19-year-old amateur was back making coffees in the café where he works in the Paul Lawrie Academy.”
  • “Locke could have taken the day off after seeing off experienced professionals and earning one of three spots on offer in the 36-hole shoot-out at The Renaissance Club. But Lawrie, his fellow Scotsman, who, of course, lifted the Claret Jug at Carnoustie in 1999, was not surprised to see the Aberdonian across the counter….”He makes a mean latte does our Sam,” Lawrie tweeted. “He’s got loads of time to prepare… He’s a top lad who deserves all the plaudits coming his way.”
5. (Some) pros celebrate the 4th as you’ve come to expect

 

Is Justin Thomas’ photo above refreshing? Fun? Funny? Inspirational? I don’t know. I guess I’m getting old.
  • Applaud the pros’ patriotism, yes, but I’m not sure how life-enhancing images of red-white-and-blue beachside brofests are from the Fowlers and Thomases of the world are. Good to see them letting loose in the collegiate fashion, enjoying their lives, and proud to be Americans, I suppose.
  • Am I being more cynical than usual? Pass me a red Solo cup…
6. Lincicome prepares to battle the boys

 

Lincicome will tee it up in the Barbasol Championship in two weeks time, where she hopes to make the cut (something no woman has ever done on the PGA Tour).
  • Golfweek’s Forecaddie wrote this of her preparations…”Brittany Lincicome recently played Concession Golf Club in Bradenton, Fla., from the tips at 7,470 yards. She hit hybrids into half the greens, three-putted twice and shot even par. During off weeks Lincicome typically plays from the back tees with her husband, a long-drive competitor, and club pros. That’s all she knew from high school, too, playing No. 1 on the boys’ team.”
  • “Lincicome has no plans to visit Keene Trace Golf Club outside Lexington, Ky., before competing in the PGA Tour’s Barbasol Championship on July 19-22, opposite the British Open. She once did an early visit for a U.S. Women’s Open and felt like she put more pressure on herself as a result. The eight-time LPGA winner plans to arrive Tuesday and play a nine-hole practice round, as she would for any other tournament. She hopes to be included in the Wednesday pro-am.”
7. Composite course fun: Most difficult major test

 

Golfweek’s Brentley Romine wonders…”What if a golfer had to play a round on the 18 toughest holes in recent major history?”

 

“Using scoring averages from the last 25 years of majors and a par-70 template (35-35 with 12 par 4s, four par 3s and two par 5s), here is arguably the most difficult “composite” major venue.
 
“Grab your clubs – and some Tylenol plus a few Band-Aids – and we’ll see you on the first tee. And don’t sweat being over par – the composite total score for these holes in majors since 2003 is 78.65 (versus a par of 70)”

 

His first selection.…1st Hole: No. 1, Oakmont Country Club…Par 4, 482 yards…U.S. Open (2007, ’16)…Scoring average: 4.515 in 2007

 

 

8. For your listening/viewing pleasure

 

GolfWRX dropped a pair of tasty media morsels yesterday, ICMYI in the course of your 4th of July revelry.
  • First, Johnny Wunder talked with company engineer Marty Jertson about Ping’s new i500 irons…as well as the incredible fact that Jertson qualified for this year’s PGA Championship.
  • Second, Andrew Tursky talked with David Edel about the making of Bryson DeChambeau’s U.S. Am-winning single-length irons…and got an in-hand look.
9. Place your bets!

 

The favorites for the Greenbrier (c/o Bovada)
  • Tony Finau: +1200
  • Bubba Watson: +1400
  • Phil Mickelson: +1600
  • Russell Henley: +1800
  • Webb Simpson: +1800
  • Xander Schauffele: +2200
  • Joaquin Niemann: +2500
  • J.B. Holmes: +2800
  • Brian Harman: +3300
  • Charles Howell III: +3300

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 Rundown: Bend, but don’t break

Published

3 weeks ago

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Aug 4, 2025

By

I’m going to gush in this intro paragraph, to get the emo stuff done early. I’ve not pulled harder for a professional to win, than Cameron Young. I coach golf in New York state, and each spring, my best golfers head to a state championship in Poughkeepsie. I first saw Cameron there as a 9th grade student. I saw him three more times after that. I reconnecected with Coach Haas from Wake Forest, an old interview subject from my days on the Old Gold and Black, the Wake newspaper. He was there to watch Cameron. After four years at Wake Forest, Young won on the Korn Ferry Tour, made it to the big tour, almost won two majors, almost won five other events, and finally got the chalice about 25 minutes from the Wake campus. Congratulations, Cameron. You truly are a glass of the finest. #MotherSoDear

OK, let’s move on to the Tour Rundown. The major championship season closed this week in Wales, with the Women’s Open championship. The PGA Tour bounced through Greensboror, N.C., while the PGA Tour Americas hit TO (aka, Toronto) for a long-winded event. The Korn Ferry lads made a stop in Utah, one of just two events for that tour in August. The many-events, golf season is winding down, as we ease from summer toward fall in the northern hemisphere. Let’s bask in the glory of an August sunrise, and run down a quartet of events from the first weekend of the eighth month.

LET/LPGA @ Women’s Open: Miyu bends, but she doesn’t break

Royal Porthcawl was not a known commodity in the major tournament community. The Welsh links had served as host to men’s senior opens, men’s amateurs, and Curtis and Walker Cups in prior years, but never an Open championship for the women or the men. The last-kept secret in UK golf was revealed once again to the world this week, as the best female golfers took to the sandy stage.

Mao Saigo, Grace Kim, Maja Stark, and Minjee Lee hoped to add a second major title to previous wins this season, but only Lee was able to finish inside the top ten. The 2025 playing of the Women’s Open gave us a new-faces gallery from day one. The Kordas and Thitikulls were nowhere to be found, and it was the Mayashitas, Katsus, and Lim Kims that secured the Cymru spotlight. The first round lead was held at 67 by two golfers. One of them battled to the end, while the other posted 81 on day two, and missed the cut. Sitting one shot behind was Miyu Yamashita.

On day two, Yamashita posted the round of the tournament. Her 65 moved her to the front of the aisle, in just her fourth turn around a women’s Open championship. With the pre-event favorites drifting off pace, followers narrowed into two camps: those on the side of an underdog, and others hoping for a weekend charge from back in the pack. In the end, we had a bit of both.

On Saturday, Yamashita bent with 74 on Saturday, offering rays of hope to her pursuing pack. England’s Charley Hull made a run on Sunday closing within one shot before tailing off to a T2 finish with Minami Katsu. Katsu posted the other 65 of the week, on Saturday, but could not overtake her countrywoman, Yamashita. wunderkind Lottie Woad needed one round in the 60s to find her pace, but could only must close-to’s, ending on 284 and a tie with Minjee for eighth.

On Sunday, Yamashita put away the thoughts of Saturday’s struggles, with three-under 33 on the outward half. She closed in plus-one 37, but still won by two, for a first Major and LPGA title.

PGA Tour @ Wyndham: Young gathers first title near home

Cameron Young grew up along the Hudson river, above metro New York, but he also calls Winston-Salem home. He spent four years as a student and athlete at Wake Forest University, then embarked on tour. This week in Greensboro, after a bit of a break, Young opened with 63-62, and revved the engine of Is this the week once more. Runner-up finishes at the Open, the PGA, and a handful of PGA Tour events had followers wonder when the day would come.

On Saturday, Young continued his torrid pace with 65, giving him a five-shot advantage over his closest pursuer. Sunday saw the Scarborough native open with bogey, then reel off five consecutive birdies to remind folks that his time had, at last, arrived. Pars to the 16th, before two harmless bogeys coming home, made Young the 1000th winner of an official PGA Tour event (dating back to before there was a PGA Tour) throughout history. What’s next? I have a suspicion, but I’m not letting on. Mac Meissner closed with 66 to finish solo 2nd, while Mark Hubbard and Alex Noren tied for third.

Korn Ferry Tour @ Utah Championship: Are you Suri it’s Julian?

Who knows exactly when the flower will bloom? Julian Suri played a solid careet at Duke University, then paid his dues on the world’s minor tours for three years. He won twice on two tours in Europe, in 2017. Since then, the grind has continued for the journeyman from New York city. At age 34, Suri broke through in Beehive state, outlasting another grinder (Spencer Levin) and four others, by two shots.

Taylor Montgomery began the week with 62, then posted 64, then 68, and finally, 70. That final round was his undoing. He finished in that second-place tie, two back of the leader. Trace Crowe, Barend Botha, and Kensei Hirata made up the last of the almost quintet. As for Suri, his Sunday play was sublime. His nines were 32 and 31, with his only radar blip a bogey at ten. He closed in style with one final birdie, to double his winning margin. Hogan bloomed late…might Suri?

PGA Tour Americas @ Osprey Valley Open presented by Votorantim Cimentos – CBM Aggregates

Some tournament names run longer than others. This week in Toronto, at the Heathlands course at TPC Toronto, we might have seen the longest tournament title in recorded history. The OVOPBVCCBMA was a splendid affair. It saw three rounds of 62 on Thursday, but of those early risers, only Drew Goodman would stick around until the end. 64 was the low tally on day two, and two of those legionnaires managed to finish inside the top three at week’s end. Saturday brought a 63 from Patrick Newcomb, and he would follow with 64 on Sunday, to finish solo fourth.

Who, then, ended up winning the acronym of the year? It turns out that Carson Bacha had the right stuff in TeeOhhh. Bacha and Jay Card III posted 63 and 64, respectively, on day four, to tie for medalist honors at 23-under 261. Nathan Franks was one shot adrift, despite also closing with 63. If you didn’t go low on Sunday, it was about the check, not the championship.

Bacha and JC3 returned to the 18th hole twice in overtime. Card nearly chipped in from the thick stuff for birdie, while Bacha peeked and shoved a ten-feet attempt at the win. On the second go-round, Card was long with his approach, into the native grasses once more. He was unable to escape, and a routine par from the fairway was enough to earn the former Auburn golfers a first KFT title.

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Tour Photo Galleries

Photos from the 2025 Wyndham Championship

Published

4 weeks ago

on

Jul 29, 2025

By

GolfWRX is live this week from the final event of the PGA Tour’s regular season, the Wyndham Championship.

Photos are flowing into the forums from Sedgefield Country Club, where we already have a GolfWRX spirit animal Adam Schenk WITB and plenty of putters for your viewing pleasure.

Check out links to all our photos below, which we’ll continue to update as more arrive.

General Albums

WITB Albums

Pullout Albums

See what GolfWRXers are saying and join the discussion in the forums.

 

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BK’s Breakdowns: Kurt Kitayama’s Winning WITB, 3M Open

Published

4 weeks ago

on

Jul 28, 2025

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Kurt Kitayama just won his 2nd PGA Tour event at the 3M Open. Kurt is a Bridgestone staffer but with just the ball and bag. Here are the rest of the clubs he used to secure a win at the 2025 3M Open.

Driver: Titleist GT3 (11 degrees, D1 SureFit setting)
Shaft: Graphite Design Tour AD VF 7 TX

3-wood: Titleist GT1 3Tour (14.5 degrees, A3 SureFit setting)
Shaft: Graphite Design Tour AD DI 8 TX

7-wood: Titleist GT1 (21 degrees, A1 SureFit setting)
Shaft: Graphite Design Tour AD DI 9 TX

Irons: TaylorMade P7CB (4), TaylorMade P7MB (5-PW)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue X100

Wedges: Titleist Vokey Design SM10 (52-12F, 56-14F), Vokey Design WedgeWorks (60-K*)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue S400

Putter: Scotty Cameron Studio Style Newport 2 Tour Prototype
Grip: SuperStroke Zenergy 1.0PT

Grips: Golf Pride Tour Velvet

Ball: Bridgestone Tour B XS (with Mindset)

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WITB

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