News
PGA Championship: 5 things we learned Friday
Don’t worry, we’ll get to him. You have to be patient. Some interesting stuff happened at Bethpage Black on Friday, but doesn’t something always go down in metro? Some late stumbles ensured that the plus-fours would see the weekend in a competitive fashion. Not talking knickers, mind you, but the guys who shot 72-72. All right then, enough with the musings, on with the 5 things we learned on day five of this week.
5. El Gato Con Rayas won’t be winning the Slam this season
Tiger Woods had history with BPB, doncha know?! Some things have a due date, an “it’s not you, it’s me” moment. 2k19 was that for TDubs and the Black. He fought, mind you. He birdied his 27th hole, but that was followed by 4 boges in 5 holes. He didn’t have his A nor his B game this week, so he didn’t walk away a beaten man. Just as well, as that guy who just wants respect went low again, opening up a 7-stroke lead at the halfway point. So that you know, I’ll take bets on Eldrick bagging either the U.S. or British Open championships. He’s coming out of 2019 with 16 majors, bank on it.
Another birdie.
Another roar.@TigerWoods birdies No. 9 and moves to two shots inside the projected cutline. pic.twitter.com/gpKiiN9RDq— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) May 17, 2019
4. Three of your teachers made the cut
There are 3 shields on the leader board, and they will be there until Sunday. Marty Jertson, Rob Labritz and Ryan Vermeer stood tall as Friday dusked. They looked at their loved ones and said, simply, “I can’t believe it; I did it. I made the cut.” No matter what happens over the next two days, this triumvirate might as well be named Vardon, Taylor and Braid. They showed the golfing world that fellows who work a day job in golf, can prepare and perform at the level of the world’s finest touring professionals. Cheers to you, gentlemen.
PING Golf's Marty Jertson says clubs of the future will go farther, fly higher and be more forgiving…all in one package. WATCH: pic.twitter.com/XdcGd08ieo
— GOLFTEC (@GOLFTEC) November 6, 2018
3. Spieth and Scott are done; Wallace is your man
Despite this prank, or perhaps because of it, Matt Wallace is my pick to overtake Burger King and win the 2019 PGA Championship. If you can hashtag a chip on someone’s shoulder, Wallace has had a massive one since he was snubbed by Thomas Bjorn last fall for the Euro Ryder Cup team. The Englishman made 6 birdies on day two, and shows no signs of stopping. He’ll make 8 birdies on Saturday, mark my words. That should send a signal flare that even BK notices. Oh, Jordan Spieth and Adam Scott? They had their day of glory. They’re done.
Matt Wallace spent a whole day doing promotional work.
But it was all a prank… ????#TheFakeMediaDay pic.twitter.com/SycUorgLzS
— The European Tour (@EuropeanTour) May 13, 2019
2. They might be workout bruhs, but…
…enough is enough. DJ was poised to be the schizz until BK said “?Habla usted back-to-back US Open?” He’s now on the cusp of B2BPGA, and that’s something that the golfer currently known as Paulina’s will not stomach. Not with brother Austin in his bag. Not with all of South Carolina pulling for him. Johnson won’t be paired with the leader on Saturday, so he’ll have to make some noise on the first 4 holes to get muscles’ attention. He can do it, but can he sustain it? This weekend, he will.
Are you serious, DJ?
Dustin Johnson has now birdied 5 of the last 7 holes. ???? #PGAChamp pic.twitter.com/PUON7ibJiD
— PGA of America (@PGA) May 17, 2019
1. How did this guy get an invite, again?
Just messing with you, B to the K. This guy epitomizes values: goes overseas to meet new people and learn the game the hard way; works his arse off in the gym to get large and fit; shows no fear when faced with adversity and greatness. I can’t promise I never dissed Brooks Koepka in previous pieces, but man, he sends a message. 7 birdies each day. 0 bogies day 1, 2 bogies day 2. If he keeps making buckets of birdies, t’ain’t no one gonna catch him. Here’s to you, Brooks, and whatever choice of swimwear is yours, today. Records? They nice.
With that birdie, Brooks Koepka sets the 36-hole score record (128) in Major Championship history.#PGAChamp pic.twitter.com/L5Zqr1XXla
— PGA of America (@PGA) May 17, 2019
With the second major of 2026 now behind us, the PGA Tour arrives in Texas for the CJ Cup Byron Nelson.
GolfWRX Tour Photographer, Greg Moore, is on site at TPC Craig Ranch in McKinney, Texas, and he’s already captured several WITBs and a look at some new colorways of just-spotted L.A.B. Golf VZN.1i putters.
Check out links to all our photos below.
General Albums
- 2026 CJ Cup Byron Nelson – Monday #1
- 2026 CJ Cup Byron Nelson – Monday #2
- 2026 CJ Cup Byron Nelson – Monday #3
WITB Albums
- Brennan Little (Gary Woodland’s caddy) – WITB – 2026 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- Adam Svensson – WITB – 2026 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- Martin Laird – WITB – 2026 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- Lee Hodges – WITB – 2026 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- Aaron Wise – WITB – 2026 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- Dylan Wu – WITB – 2026 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- AJ Ewart – WITB – 2026 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
Pullout Albums
- New Graphite Design Tour AD shafts – 2026 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- L.A.B. Golf VZN.1i putters (new colors) – 2026 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
See what GolfWRXers are saying and join the discussion in the forums.
Aaron Rai upset the odds to win his first major championship on Sunday at Aronimink, firing a final round of 5-under par to see off his competitors and claim the winner’s check for $3,690,000.
Jon Rahm and Alex Smalley were the best of the chasing pack, with both men sharing runner-up spot which was good enough for each to receive a check for $1,804,000.
With a total prize purse of $20.5 million up for grabs, here’s a look at how much each player won at the 2026 PGA Championship.
Players who missed the PGA Championship cut each received $4,300 each.
1: Aaron Rai, $3,690,000
T2 : Jon Rahm, $1,804,000
T2 : Alex Smalley, $1,804,000
T4: Justin Thomas, $843,866
T4: Ludvig Aberg, $843,866
T4: Matti Schmid, $843,866
T7: Cameron Smith, $637,050
T7: Rory McIlroy, $637,050
T7: Xander Schauffele, $637,050
T10: Kurt Kitayama, $496,707
T10: Chris Gotterup, $496,707
T10: Justin Rose, $496,707
T10: Patrick Reed, $496,707
T14: Matt Fitzpatrick, $364,762
T14: Scottie Scheffler, $364,762
T14: Max Greyserman, $364,762
T14: Ben Griffin, $364,762
T18: Maverick McNealy, $229,128
T18: Jordan Spieth, $229,128
T18: Stephan Jaeger, $229,128
T18: Padraigh Harrington, $229,128
T18: David Puig, $229,128
T18: Harris English, $229,128
T18: Min Woo Lee, $229,128
T18: Joaquin Niemann, $229,128
T26: Nick Taylor, $125,523
T26: Alex Noren, $125,523
T26: Cameron Young, $125,523
T26: Andrew Novak, $125,523
T-26: Daniel Hiller, $125,523
T26: Tom Hoge, $125,523
T26: Sam Burns, $125,523
T26: Hideki Matsuyama, $125,523
T26: Bud Cauley, $125,523
T35: Christiaan Bezuidenhout, $78,805
T35: Patrick Cantlay, $78,805
T35: Ryo Hisatsune, $78,805
T35: Daniel Berger, $78,805
T35: Ryan Fox, $78,805
T35: Haotong Li, $78,805
T35: Aldrich Potgieter, $78,805
T35: Si Woo Kim, $78,805
T35: Martin Kaymer, $78,805
T44: Chris Kirk, $53,743
T44: Matt Wallace, $53,743
T44: Shane Lowry, $53,743
T44: Jhonattan Vegas, $53,743
T44: Denny McCarthy, $53,743
T44: Chandler Blachet, $53,743
T44: Taylor Pendrith, $53,743
T44: Dustin Johnson, $53,743
T44: Nicolai Hojgaard, $53,743
T44: Michael Kim, $53,743
T44: Kristoffer Reitan, $53,743
T55: Collin Morikawa, $34,186
T55: Corey Conners, $34,186
T55: Andrew Putnam, $34,186
T55: Brooks Koepka, $34,186
T55: Mikael Lindberg, $34,186
T60: Sami Valimaki, $29,218
T60: Sahith Theegala, $29,218
T60: Rico Hoey, $29,218
T60: Rickie Fowler, $29,218
T60: Brian Harman, $29,218
T65: Casey Jarvis, $26,900
T65: Jason Day, $26,900
T65: Rasmus Hojgaard, $26,900
T65: Keith Mitchell, $26,900
T65: Sam Stevens, $26,900
Justin Rose WITB 2026 (April): Full WITB breakdown with new McLaren irons
RBC Heritage Tour Report: More minis, course-specific setups, Spider & GTS launches
What’s the story behind Webb Simpson’s custom-stamped irons?
Cadillac Championship Tour Report: Spieth’s sizable changes, McLaren Golf launches, and more
Kristoffer Reitan’s winning WITB: 2026 Truist Championship
Cameron Young’s winning WITB: 2026 Cadillac Championship
Aaron Rai’s winning WITB: 2026 PGA Championship
Nelly Korda WITB 2026 (April)
Justin Rose on the switch to McLaren Golf, learnings from previous equipment moves
Photos from the 2026 PGA Championship
Patrick Reed WITB 2026 (May)
Driver: Titleist GT3 (9 degrees) Buy here. Shaft: Aldila Rogue Silver 130 M.S.I. 70 TX 3-wood: TaylorMade Qi35 (15 degrees)...
Aaron Rai’s winning WITB: 2026 PGA Championship
Driver: TaylorMade M6 (9 degrees) Shaft: Aldilda Synergy Blue 70 TX 3-wood: TaylorMade Qi10 (15 degrees) Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Blue...
Michael Block WITB 2026 (May)
Driver: TaylorMade Qi4D (9 degrees) Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Black VeloCore+ 5 X 3-wood: TaylorMade Qi4D (15 degrees @14.25) Shaft: Mitsubishi...
Bryson DeChambeau WITB 2026 (May)
Driver: Krank Formula Fire Pro (6 degrees) Shaft: Project X Prototype 3-wood: Krank Formula Fire (10 degrees) Shaft: LA Golf BAD...
-
Whats in the Bag3 weeks agoKristoffer Reitan’s winning WITB: 2026 Truist Championship
-
Whats in the Bag2 weeks ago
Aaron Rai’s winning WITB: 2026 PGA Championship
-
Tour Photo Galleries3 weeks agoPhotos from the 2026 PGA Championship
-
Equipment2 weeks agoGolfWRX Launch Report: 2026 Titleist GTS drivers
-
Equipment2 weeks agoPGA Championship Tour Report: Fitzpatrick, Koepka among big-name putter switches for Aronimink
-
News2 weeks agoWITB Time Machine: Phil Mickelson’s winning WITB, 2021 PGA Championship
-
Equipment2 weeks agoWhich of Tiger’s major winning irons are your favorite? – GolfWRXers discuss
-
Equipment2 weeks agoLead Tape Report: Adjusting the swingweight of the Wanamaker Trophy
thomas
May 18, 2019 at 9:16 am
pull your shorts up, turn your hat back around, tie your shoes, and get your hands outta my bag… speak english, you’re not writing an article for the MS 13 golf team.
Ronald Montesano
May 18, 2019 at 10:25 am
Who hurt you, thomas?
Keep reading our stuff. We’ll make you whole again.
Tartan Golf Travel
May 18, 2019 at 9:02 am
Terrible writing! You’re trying way to hard to act cool. Oh and I’ll take that bet all day long. These guys are really good. Tiger is not THE MAN anymore. Doesn’t mean he can’t win but he shouldn’t even be close to the favorite at anything but Augusta.
Ronald Montesano
May 18, 2019 at 10:28 am
Don’t shout, Tartan Golf Travel. “too hard” might work better for the point you wish to make.
Didn’t say he was going to be the favorite, did I? Said he was going to win, I did…Yoda.
Greg V
May 18, 2019 at 7:55 am
I’ll take the other side of the Tiger US Open, Open Championship bet. Pebble and Portrush are too tight for him off the tee.
BTW – knickers, 4″ below the knee. 4 above would be short shorts.
Ronald Montesano
May 18, 2019 at 10:26 am
Hah! You’re right. I’m thinking 1970s NBA shorts. Good catch.
Tiger will hoist!!
Ronald Montesano
May 18, 2019 at 6:42 am
Language Primer For This Article (we have heard your pain)
El Gato Con Rayas-Spanish for The Cat With Stripes
Anything with BK in it (Burger King, B to the K)-a reference to Brooks Koepka
Bruh-nee Bro, nee Brother. As in, actual siblings (not the case) or tight friendship (the case)
Workout-a fitness activity
?Habla usted?-Again, Spanish for “Do you speak…”
B2BPGA-Acronym for back-to-back PGA
Plus-Fours: four inches above the knee, what Americans call “knickers.” Knickers are underwear in England. The reference here, however, is to golfers at 4-over par, not to foppish golf apparel.
OK, then, if any other vocabulary demands explication, don’t hesitate to click “Shank” and write your disapproval.
B
May 18, 2019 at 4:27 pm
Ya forgot to say it was short for Knickerbockers
K
May 18, 2019 at 3:02 am
Give Eldrick a course with no rough and wide open fairways, he’ll be fine. Oops sorry Augusta, I guess you can help him win 4 more there, huh
Ronald Montesano
May 18, 2019 at 6:33 am
No one gives any golfer a major. That said, BPB was the biggest ask of the 4 large events. A super-long walk, bodacious hill climbs, pretty thick rough. The other two are in his range. He’ll hoist the winner’s platter at one of them.
Johnny Penso
May 18, 2019 at 12:11 am
Can you please write in formal English. This edgy form of English is designed to appeal to an audience that isn’t reading anything on Golf WRX
Ronald Montesano
May 18, 2019 at 6:34 am
Are you saying you didn’t understand what I had to say, or that you disagree with it? That’s the key here, I think.
Greg V
May 18, 2019 at 7:52 am
You have to understand that Ron is a Spanish teacher in real life.
dat
May 17, 2019 at 10:26 pm
Get this zoomer/millennial speak out of here.
Mower
May 17, 2019 at 10:45 pm
LOL!
Ronald Montesano
May 18, 2019 at 6:35 am
dat so?
KP
May 17, 2019 at 9:57 pm
I couldn’t understand this either. There’s a very real probability that this guy had a few drinks before writing this article.
Ronald Montesano
May 18, 2019 at 6:44 am
I’ll put this one to bed: negative on the “few drinks.” Sometimes you feel a different rhythm when you write. Different rhythms/cadences/styles don’t please everyone. Hope that doesn’t drive you away from reading “5 Things We Learned On Saturday” this evening.
W
May 17, 2019 at 9:48 pm
What language was this written in? I didn’t understand any of it
Ben
May 17, 2019 at 9:18 pm
I could not understand half of this. I’m old.
Garrick
May 17, 2019 at 9:15 pm
i have seen the future of golf and its name is brooks koepka