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Tour Rundown: Phoenix Open to Webb in playoff, G-Mac, Quigley Qonquest
We know that the big game, that bowl of commercials, America’s pagan holiday, got your attention last night. That’s fine. On Monday morning, however, we want you running down the weekend of great golf with us. The European, PGA, Korn Ferry and Champions tours were in action, from the middle east to the Panama canal. We had a playoff, a comeback, a rebirth, and a debut. In other words, just another week in the exciting world of professional golf. Let’s run!
PGA Tour: Phoenix Open to Webb in playoff
The enigma that is Tony Finau, became more enigmatic in Scottsdale. On Saturday, the USA international player and one-time winner, parlayed a 62 into a one-shot advantage. On his heels was the Players and US Open champion of the 2010s, Webb Simpson. Midway through round four, golfers like Adam Long, Hudson Swafford and Nate Lashley (early pursuers) had faded away. Justin Thomas was immersed in a 65 that would bring him to -14, and a tie for 3rd with Bubba Watson and Lashley. Simpson and Finau created a 2-man duel, and when Simpson dunked his tee ball on the 15th hole, Finau took a 2-shot lead to the 17th tee. Doing what most golfers would call proper, the Tongan Terror closed with pars and preserved his -17 total. Thing was, Simpson drove the 17th green and two-putted for birdie, then dropped a 20-feet putt for 3 at 18, and back they went to the 18th tee. Simpson made birdie again, and had a title for 2020.
On Saturday, Brandell Chamblee took to Twitter to prop Finau up. In his words, “At any minute, he could go off. He is more on the cusp of breaking out that (sic) any other player in golf.” Chamblee’s words proved prophetic: Finau could but didn’t. He is still on the cusp. And this makes his constant selection as an International-Team captain’s choice all the more baffling. Jim Furyk picked him in 2018 for Ryder Cup, and nada. Tiger picked him in 2019 for Prez Cup, and bupkus. Time is running out for Finau to learn to close the deal.
Korn Ferry Tour: Panama Championship heads to Hattiesburg, in the hands of Davis
It’s a known truth that the Triple-A tour is where the top tour pros learn to win. They often learn how to win, by losing. Chase Wright had a lead on Saturday evening in Panama, thanks to a round of 62. By Sunday’s end, he had played 13 more shots than the day before, and dropped 14 spots on the leader board. Left to battle thing out were Davis Riley, who signed for a fine 64 of his own on day 3; Roberto Diaz of Mexico, who closed with 65; and a host of others. Diaz was flawless in round 4, pairing 5 birdies with 13 pars. Por poco in the end; Diaz came up one shot shy. Riley was imperfect, with a pair of bogeys, but he added a birdie and a 12th-hole eagle to reach 10 beneath par. 4 golfers found their way to a tie for 3rd, at minus-eight, but no lower could they go.
Champions Tour: Morocco Champions debuts with a Quigley Qonquest
One of the scintillating aspects of Champions Tour golf, is the how is it that you win again scenario. Golfers who have passed half a decade on the fringe of contention, in the broadcast booth, or on the instructor’s tee, swiftly return to the realization that it ain’t easy! Stephen Ames had a Champions win in 2017, but earning the 2nd has been tougher than anticipated. Ames had a legitimate shot at the inaugural playing of the Morocco Champion, after opening with a stellar 63. Unfortunately for the Canadian, his tally rose in each round, and he concluded the week at 14 under par. Even more unfortunate was the presence of Brett Quigley, who never won on the youngster’s PGA Tour. Quigley opened with 69, then closed with 66 and 66. to absolutely cozen the trophy from Ames. While there were other pretenders to the top spot, only Quigley and Woody Austin (among the top 9) were able to reach the mid-60s on Sunday. Quigley stood -7 on the day through 15 holes, before his lone bogey forced him to duck and cover to the house. As for Ames, he made bogeys at 14 and 15, then followed up with birdies at 16 and 17. Needing one last chirp at the home hole to tie, he was shy with his effort, and away did the championship slip.
European Tour: Saudi International goes home with a #GirlDad
In a week that celebrated Kobe Bryant’s role as a girl dad, Graeme McDowell of Northern Ireland fulfilled a promise to himself. Vowing to show his children that he could still close the deal, the Ulsterman balanced birdies and bogeys (3 of each) on day four, and held off Dustin Johnson for his first European Tour victory in six years. The 2010 US Open champion held a 1-shot lead after three rounds; fortunately for him, his closest chaser was France’s Victor Dubuisson. If anyone was less familiar with winning than McDowell, it was Vic. Dubuisson stayed close through nine, but lost his touch at the start of the inward half. 3 bogeys and a double dropped him to -7, 5 shots out of the top spot and into a tie for 6th place. Belgium’s Thomas Pieters had the best final round of the contenders, with 7 birdies for 65. His effort brought him a solo 3rd finish, at -9. Johnson saddled himself with at least 2 bogeys each round. On Sunday, he had a pair of eagles and a birdie, but needed a bit more of this, and bit less of that, to catch GMac.
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.
Card III and Bacha both miss their birdie tries on the first playoff hole.
We’ll play 18 again @OspreyOpen. pic.twitter.com/vNpHTdkHDg
— PGA TOUR Americas (@PGATOURAmericas) August 3, 2025
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
- 2025 Wyndham Championship – Tuesday #1
- 2025 Wyndham Championship – Tuesday #2
- 2025 Wyndham Championship – Tuesday #3
WITB Albums
- Chandler Phillips – WITB – 2025 Wyndham Championship
- Davis Riley – WITB – 2025 Wyndham Championship
- Scotty Kennon – WITB – 2025 Wyndham Championship
- Austin Duncan – WITB – 2025 Wyndham Championship
- Will Chandler – WITB – 2025 Wyndham Championship
- Kevin Roy – WITB – 2025 Wyndham Championship
- Ben Griffin – WITB – 2025 Wyndham Championship
- Peter Malnati – WITB – 2025 Wyndham Championship
- Ryan Gerard – WITB – 2025 Wyndham Championship
- Adam Schenk – WITB – 2025 Wyndham Championship
- Kurt Kitayama – WITB – 2025 Wyndham Championship
- Camilo Villegas – WITB – 2025 Wyndham Championship
- Matti Schmid – WITB – 2025 Wyndham Championship
Pullout Albums
- Denny McCarthy’s custom Cameron putters – 2025 Wyndham Championship
- Swag Golf putters – 2025 Wyndham Championship
- Karl Vilips TM MG5 wedges – 2025 Wyndham Championship
- New Bettinardi putters – 2025 Wyndham Championship
- Matt Fitzpatrick’s custom Bettinardi putters – 2025 Wyndham Championship
- Cameron putters – 2025 Wyndham Championship
See what GolfWRXers are saying and join the discussion in the forums.
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)
‘Why would anybody want to change that swing?’ – Brandel Chamblee says PGA Tour star was wrong to change his swing
‘The stupidest freaking thing I’ve ever heard’ – Billy Horschel slams Open idea suggested by Padraig Harrington
WITB Time Machine: Brandt Snedeker’s winning WITB, 2018 Wyndham Championship
Golfer proudly posts photo of ball mark on iron, receives immediate roasting
WITB Time Machine: Matthew Wolff’s winning WITB, 2019 3M Open
Oakmont Country Club bans Wyndham Clark over locker incident; Reveals specific conditions to earn reinstatement
Adam Scott puts Callaway blades in the bag at Wyndham Championship
Report: LIV star fires caddie and coach in shock shake up
Rickie Fowler makes equipment change to ‘something that’s a little easier on the body’
The championship formula: How 3 key stats separate winners from the field
Peter Malnati WITB 2025 (August)
Peter Malnati what’s in the bag accurate as of the Wyndham Championship. More photos from the event here. Driver: Titleist...
Cameron Young’s winning WITB: 2025 Wyndham Championship
Driver: Titleist GT2 (9 degrees, A1 SureFit setting) Buy here. Shaft: Mitsubishi Tensei 1K Pro Orange 70 TX 3-wood: Titleist...
Camilo Villegas WITB 2025 (July)
Camilo Villegas WITB accurate as of the Wyndham Championship. Villegas was undecided on a 3-wood when we shot his bag. ...
WITB Time Machine: Brandt Snedeker’s winning WITB, 2018 Wyndham Championship
Brandt Snedeker fired a final-round 65 at the 2018 Wyndham Championship to outlast Webb Simpson and C.T. Pan. His 5-under...
Don
Feb 3, 2020 at 11:01 am
I seriously don’t get the finau criticism. he played great all week, went low on the weekend, beat every player except one. maybe the article should be about how great webb finished and we can stop pretending finau gave it away. webb went birdie, birdie, and then birdie on playoff. congrats to him.
winning is hard. finau hardly gave away the tournament or choked. he simply got beat by a late birdie run. it seems the guy finishing second gets more criticism than guys missing cuts. (Spieth)
Ronald Montesano
Feb 9, 2020 at 7:40 am
Hey, Don.
Sorry it took so long to respond. We had to clear the comment, and while it’s not as complex as politics and engineering for me, it is a unique and covert operation. He did give the tournament away. He didn’t make birdie on 17, which he should do all the time. He didn’t hit good drives nor wedges on 18, twice. Webb did what he had to, to extend the tournament. Tony should have won. He is fast becoming the 2nd coming of Rickie Fowler, who also doesn’t win as often as he should.
Spieth has not entered a conversation, for me, for the past year. I can’t criticize a guy whose game is so far gone from what it once was. From the outside looking in, he needs to find a new caddie (which he won’t do) and get a true sense of where he goes awry. It might be as simple as, he woke up and found out that golf was difficult, after winning 3 majors. I would not fix the chicken-wing follow through. It’s what he knows, and all he can do is get worse by doing it. I believe it is 102% mental for him.