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Morning 9: Distance Insights Project report finally on the horizon? | The PGA Tour’s “nice guys” | DL3 to CBS

Published

6 years ago

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By Ben Alberstadt
Email me at ben.alberstadt@golfwrx.com and find me at @benalberstadt on Instagram and golfwrxEIC on Twitter.

October 30, 2019

Good Wednesday morning, golf fans. Get your golf-related Halloween costumes ready…
 
**Just a reminder we’re looking for advertisers for 2020. Drop me a line if you’d like to talk about getting your message in front of the M9 readership.** 

 
1. Distance Insights report slated for February? 
The vaunted release is finally on the horizon. 2017: 3-yard gain across all major tours. 2018: 1.8-yard gain. 2019: TBD + other revelations?
  • Golf Channel’s Will Gray reports…“The USGA and R&A announced Tuesday that a joint report on a multi-year distance insights project will be released by Feb. 4, 2020.”
  • “The two governing bodies first announced the creation of the project in May 2018, and the relevant data from discussions with industry leaders and golfers from all ranks was collected through the early portion of 2019. While the full report was initially expected to be released sometime this year, that deadline has now been revised.”
  • “Reinforcing our commitment to ensure that the report is the most comprehensive review of distance to date, we are taking more time to complete our due diligence,” the statement read. “We appreciate the contributions and support we have received and believe that the data and discussion will benefit the entire golf community.”

Full piece.

2. Mr. Nice Guy
Golf Digest’s ranking of the nicest guys on the PGA Tour has returned (and the feature includes some genuinely curious caricatures).
Anyway, Golf Digest’s Dave Shedloski with a look at what it takes to be a tour “nice guy.” (and yes, Matt Kuchar is on the roll at No. 25) in general, and a specific roundup of the remarks for the No. 1 guy on the list, Rickie Fowler.
  • “Sky Sports broadcaster and former PGA champion Rich Beem: “I met a young man this year from the Shriners Hospitals and brought him inside the ropes with me at Quail Hollow. After the round, Rickie went out of his way to hang out with this kid after a long day of already being on the golf course.”
  • “Sport psychologist Gio Valiante: “He’s a really likable guy, and he’s just as nice. There’s no phoniness about him.”
  • “Caddie Brandon Antus: “I’ve seen Rickie under any situation, a child, a woman, a 70-year-old man … it doesn’t matter; he treats everybody the same way, and he’s very patient with everyone.”

Full piece.

3. College golfers can now profit from their likenesses 
Golf Channel’s Brentley Romine…“When California governor Gavin Newsom signed SB 206 into law last month, he called the decision the “beginning of a national movement.”
  • “…On Tuesday, as more states continue to move forward with similar legislation, the NCAA finally got on board. In an unprecedented move, the NCAA’s top governing board voted unanimously to allow student-athletes to benefit from and be compensated for the use of their name, image and likeness.”
  • “While details were unclear, the NCAA indicated that it would modernize its rules on amateurism by January 2021, and has asked each of its three divisions to immediately consider updates to its policies and bylaws.”

Full piece.

4. East Lake Cup
Golf Channel’s Brentley Romine with the update…”Aman Gupta’s 2-up victory over Wake Forest’s Eric Bae gave Oklahoma State a 3-2 win in Tuesday’s semifinals, earning the Cowboys a ticket to the final against top-seeded Texas, which downed Vanderbilt, 4-0-1.”
  • “It will be a rematch of last year’s NCAA semifinal, where the Longhorns upset the top-ranked Cowboys, led by Matthew Wolff and Viktor Hovland.”
  • “…On the women’s side, Auburn and Wake Forest will play for the title. The Tigers knocked off top seed Duke, 3-2, while the Demon Deacons defeated Arizona, 3-1-1.”
5. DL3 joins CBS
Our Gianni Magliocco…“Following the departure of long-standing announcers Peter Kostis and Gary McCord, CBS has revealed that Davis Love III has been added to the broadcasting team beginning 2020.”
  • “Following the news, Davis Love III said in a statement”
  • “I have long considered CBS Sports the gold standard in golf coverage. Whether playing or coaching, I have always loved the team aspect of golf, and I am thrilled to now be a member of the best team in television.”

Full piece.

6. Casey Martin could be facing amputation
…let’s hope not, but, here’s the story…
Golf Channel’s Ryan Lavner…”Casey Martin’s worst fear was realized earlier this month when he stepped off a curb and fractured his right tibia.”
  • “That’s the leg that has been affected since birth by a debilitating condition called Klippel-Trenaunay-Weber Syndrome that makes walking difficult.”
  • “Pain has been a common theme in my life,” Martin said by phone Tuesday, “but not like this.”
  • “Three weeks ago, Martin, the head coach at Oregon, was bringing in his garbage can when he stepped awkwardly on a road that was under construction. His foot slipped and he landed awkwardly, fracturing his leg.”

Full piece.

7. Xander’s perspective
Interesting stuff, per Steve DiMeglio…
  • “…Trouble is, Schauffele is thirsting to deliver his best performances on more stages.”
  • “If I just would be in contention more, that would be awesome,” Schauffele said. “I don’t even think I’ve held a 54-hole lead. So the way I look at it and the way my team looks at it, I haven’t really done a whole lot.
  • “It’s a little bit harsh, but it’s just sort of how I’m judged at certain times by either my dad or people on my team that give me advice, and it’s true at times. I didn’t hit some of my goals last year. It was definitely a year to build off of.”

Full piece.

8. Zambia’s first PGA pro
Vincent Kabaso for Golf Digest with a helluva story...”I grew up in Luanshya, a small town in Zambia. My father worked for a copper mine, which owned a golf course. Somebody gave my dad clubs, and he tried to get me and my six siblings to try. I was the only one interested. I was 9 years old, and when I came to the club, Roan Antelope, it was like walking into a different world.”
  • “…I never had a formal lesson. I had this weird stance, and I played with a persimmon 1985 Slazenger wood all the way through my teens. There were frustrating days when I felt lost. But I kept practicing. I became a scratch handicap and won the junior national championship by 15 and represented my country on the national team at 16.”

Full piece.

9. What Haney never questioned
A man who made plenty of bones commenting on and criticizing Tiger Woods, Hank Haney said he never doubted Woods’ course management abilities.
  • Luke Kerr-Dineen for Golf.com…“On his new “Hank Haney Podcast,” Haney lavished praise on Tiger’s course management skills, saying that in all his years he had never once questioned Tiger’s decision making, because he never made a mental mistake.”
  • “The thing that Tiger can do, what he said in his interview afterwards: ‘I can think my way around the golf course.’ Rarely, did he ever, ever make a mental mistake. When I used to coach players on the tour…after every round of every tournament, I would go through every shot. This swing on No. 2; this putt on No. 4; this chip on No. 8; what were you thinking on No. 10 when you make this play? And what were you thinking on No. 18? Why didn’t you do this? Why’d you do that? Not one time, did I ever in six years of coaching Tiger, did I ever question how he played a hole. I really never did. He just never made course management mistakes.”

Full piece.

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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News

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

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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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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