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Tour Rundown: Partner events aplenty | One trophy to rule them all

Published

6 years ago

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It was a week of partner events on the PGA and Champions tours, and a reminder that unique events are a welcome respite from the 72-hole grind. In fact, team events should be mandated for each of the tours, as long as the spoils of victory make the events worthwhile. There were other goings-on this week, too. The European Tour was in action in Africa, while the ladies of the LPGA traveled to Los Angeles for a run at historic Wilshire Country Club. It’s time for a sundown Rundown of five of the world’s tours, so turn on those headlights and have a watch.

Zurich Classic triumph ironically delicious for Rahm and Palmer

Both Jon Rahm and Ryan Palmer came to the Big Easy as cast-offs, solo artists in search of a partner. By week’s end, they were champions and, in all probability, partners until the end of time. The Spaniard and the Texan entered round 4 in a tie with Scott Stallings and Trey Mullinax, who proceeded to put on a clinic on how not to bring home a win (sorry, boys.) In direct contrast, the winners shook off a 6th-hole bogey with 3 back-nine birdies, to separate themselves from a chasing field. Ryder Cup heroes Tommy Fleetwood and Sergio Garcia gave serious chase, posting 4 birdies and 1 eagle on day four. They needed to be perfect to catch the front runners, and two bogeys along the way did them in. Had they somehow reached -25, one shy of the winning total, they would certainly have given Rahm and Palmer more to consider. As things were, the victors negotiated the waters and sands of TPC Louisiana over the closing holes. A bomb of a par save at hole 15 by Rahm kept them at 26-under par, and three pars later, they were champions.

Don Jorge Campillo claims 1st European Tour win at Trophee Hassan II

Jorge Campillo did a 4-year, tour of duty at Indiana University during the mid 2000s. He embarked on a professional career in 2009, and established himself as a likely tour winner. 10 years later, perhaps more than anyone envisioned, Campillo played with less than his best at Dar Es Salaam, emerging from the battle with a 2-shot victory over 3 runners-up. Campillo has been close before, with a handful of 2nd-place results. His opportunities were there, but some errant shot or decision always did him in. On this day, he ground out a total of 9 strokes beneath par, 2 better than Julian Suri, Erik Van Rooyen and Sean Crocker. Each of the runners-up had his chance at the trophy, but (sound familiar?) errant shots and decisions did them in. The victory moved Campillo into the world’s top 70 golfers, poised to begin receiving the big-event invitations.

Los Angeles Open is Minjee’s 5th LPGA victory

When golfers like Lorena Ochoa or Annika Sorenstam won what we perceived to be every start, golf fans were spoiled. Minjee Lee, like Ariya Jutanugarn and Inbee Park, has the potential to be one of those golfers, but needs more wins. Her first four wins on tour were by 2, 1, 1 and 1 strokes. On Sunday, Lee finished 4 strokes clear of Sei Young Kim, although it can’t be called a runaway triumph. Lee’s lead was down to 1 stroke at one point, then she dug deep and separated herself from the field. In direct contrast, her 4th-round companion, Nanna Madsen, saw her weaknesses exposed. The golfer from Denmark made her only birdie of the final day at the 16th, and that after 6 bogeys over the first 15 holes. As poised as Minjee showed, the raw promise of Madsen gave way to butterflies, jitters and mistakes. In the land of dreams, often only one comes true on a given day.

Dormie Network Classic a walkaway for Zhang

As if anyone needed an explanation on why Xinjun Zhang had the 54-hole lead at the inaugural Dormie Network Classic, here it is: he shot the low daily round, each of the first three days. Opening with 63-64-65 is stunning, and the onus was on the 31-year old pro from China to hold it together on day four. A 55th-hole bogey might have unnerved him, but only for a moment. 3 birdies followed and Zhang preserved his handful-of-strokes lead through 63 holes. With no one making a run, a 1-under 35 coming home was enough to bring him his first international victory. Last week’s cup-holder, Lanto Griffin, made a game run at a 2nd consecutive triumph. He ultimately tied with Chase Seiffert, one of 4 golfers to shoot all 4 rounds in the 60s. In conclusion, have a look at the winner’s final numbers for the week: 28 birdies (11 on day one!), 2 eagles, and 6 bogies. Salute!

Top of the Rock welcomes the oldest winner in the oldest senior event

Way back … well, in the 1970s, the Legends of Golf confirmed that fans did want to see the heroes of a former age. Names like Don January, Sam Snead and Roberto DiVicenzo put eyes on the screen and feet on the fairways. From that humble origin, the Champions tour was born. In 2019, the event has a new home in the Ozark mountains, at the Top of the Rock resort. It also has a new format, folding a par-three course into the mix. One thing that hasn’t changed, is the hope that the Legends of Golf event, and its brethren, give to golfers once thought past their prime. This year, Scott Hoch became the oldest winner in the tour’s 40-year history, teaming with Tom Pernice, jr. for a 5-stroke victory. Teams played one round of four ball (better ball) over the Ozark National golf course, joined by two over the par-three Top of the Rock course. On Sunday, Hoch and Pernice played 8-under par golf over 18 holes to hold off the defending champions, Paul Broadhurst and Kirk Triplett. Their closest, overnight pursuers all fell by the wayside with over-par final rounds. It wasn’t quite a walk in the park, but it was an easier stroll than either winner anticipated.

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Ronald Montesano writes for GolfWRX.com from western New York. He dabbles in coaching golf and teaching Spanish, in addition to scribbling columns on all aspects of golf, from apparel to architecture, from equipment to travel. Follow Ronald on Twitter at @buffalogolfer.

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Tour Rundown: Bend, but don’t break

Published

3 weeks ago

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Aug 4, 2025

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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

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Jul 29, 2025

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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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News

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

Published

4 weeks ago

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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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