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Friday on Tour: 5 things we learned

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6 years ago

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As you learned yesterday, it’s BOGO week, aka five will get you 10. Not 10 years, but 10 things we learned. With the Korn Ferry Tour in Florida, and the PGA Tour a bit north, on Hilton Head Island, great weather has led to super-low scoring. I have a few golf chums who resist low scoring, but I leave them to their growlers of bitterness. I love birdies and eagles. This week, we have more than we can count.

It’s Friday evening, the weekend is here, KFT is 18 holes from a winner, while PGAT has two rounds to go. Let’s learn what we learned this week, five things from each tour.

RBC Heritage: 5 things we learned

5. Nick Watney has no luck

Flashback to 2010, and Nick Watney is everyone’s pick to win at least one major. He had a rough decade, with healthy servings of injury and self-doubt. Today, Watney withdrew from the RBC, due to a positive test for COVID-19. The Californian exhibited symptoms of the virus, was tested, and confirmed positive on Friday. He withdrew after posting a 71 in round one.

4. Webb Simpson has the lead

The Carolinian made A LOT of birdies on Friday. Nine of them, to be precise, and he needed all of them. When Simpson hit a green, he was money almost all of the time. He gained six strokes on the field in putting on day two, which is obscene. Thing was, he couldn’t make the same putts for par that he made for birdie. Simpson missed nine, eleven, and 14-foot putts when he missed the green. The only time his putter rescued a par, was the sixth. Simpson got up and down for par from 90 yards on that one, draining a twelve-feet putt for four.

Let’s not dwell on the negatives, however. The pride of Wake Forest made 69 feet of birdie putts on the front, then 92 more on the back. He capped his round with a 38-foot bomb for three at the home hole. In the end, as long as the birdies outweigh the bogeys by enough, Simpson will be in the mix.

3. The weather four-putted in the PM

Not Jordan Spieth this time. He did miss a two-footer for par (yikes!) but kept it together for 70. Thunderstorms arrived and reminded us that this is still the PGA Tour and that delays will always be a thing. The second round was halted, stranding golfers for 45 minutes. In the end, no harm and no foul, as castaways made quick work of their remaining holes, and the round completed on schedule. The good news is, no more rain for at least 48 hours, which should allow the tournament to finish on schedule.

2. #BigBandTheory is back

Bryson doesn’t really have the room this week to show off his flex. No matter, he showed off his guile, to the tune of 64 and 11-under par. DeChambeau is driving the ball better than Simpson, and he is hitting more greens that the fellow currently holding the top spot. What that means is, over the course of four days, the Big Bang Theory should overtake the lead. Will it play out that way? This writer says “Yes.”

1. Predictions are in, and …

Most likely to tell you exactly what he’s feeling: Bryson DeChambeau. If I had to mic one guy on tour, it would be him. Most days, I understand his thoughts.

Most likely to break through for a win: Matthew Fitzpatrick. Crystal ball sez that it’s the Englishman’s time.

Most likely to take a high-speed elevator: Jhonnatan Vegas. If there were a stat column for shots-gap from round to round, the Venezuelan would be a strong contender for the hardware. #NeverDull

The King & The Bear: 5 things we learned

5. Vince India held court

The co-leader after 36 holes posted a clinic today. Nine birdies and one eagle allowed the man from the land of Lincoln to offset a bogey and shoot an inconceivable 62 in round three. India turned for home in 29 strokes, thanks to a six-under-in-five-holes stretch. His eagle at the 5th ignited a fuse that brought a run of four birdies to close the outward half. His only hiccough came at the par-four 12th, where he missed the green and could not recover for par. Four birdies from 13 to 18 restored his confidence, and consoled him with a four-shot lead.

4. Chris Kirk kept this thing real

The PGA Tour champion is the only golfer within six shots of the leader. Kirk was three-under through nine, and quickly realized that such a pace simply wouldn’t do for the Duke. He geared up and made five birdies for 31 on the home half. His 64 brought him to 21 deep, and kept him within four shots of the front-runner. If I were India, Chris Kirk is not the fellow I’d want in my round-four grouping. His wins on the big tour bolster his confidence, and if anyone is to catch the leader, it should be Kirk.

3. Will Z won’t give up

The Calixan (Californian and Texan) by way of Wake Forest is learning the most basic of questions in professional tournament golf: What do I have to do to win out here? Rounds of 65-66-66 have him at 19-under par, tied with two others. As we know by now, that’s two back of the chaser, and six behind the leader. Zalatoris posted two eagles on Wednesday, and one each the next two days. He has 16 birdies, to boot. It’s the others, the three bogeys and the double, that relegated him to long chaser. Eliminate the double and he’s tied with Kirk. Ditch the others, and he’d be one back of the lead. Sometimes, your best isn’t good enough. Through three rounds, that might be WZ’s thinking. If he tossed a 64 on Saturday, he’ll give India something to think about.

2. Might we see a 59?

It’s doubtful, but 60 or 61 are under consideration. Only one golfer (India) has anything to lose. The rest are playing for glory, and will go as low as they possibly can. Eagles are commonplace on the par-five holes, and the two-shotters have given up an enormous amount of threes. The low round won’t come from the last grouping, but someone like Braden Thornberry or Scott Langley might get hot early and sustain momentum. If India gets to 30-under par, the tournament is his. If not, the early, low round might cart the trophy off.

1. Predictions on the menu

Most likely to jump into the top ten: Davis Riley. He rooms with Zalatoris, and need to close the gap with his roomie. I’m guessing 65 for the Alabama golfer.

Most likely to fall out of the top ten: Brett Coletta. The first-round leader has worsened each round, from 63 to 66, to 70. His best is behind him, at least for this week.

Most likely to shoot that 61: I’ve mentioned Langley and Thornberry already, so let’s add a third name: long-hitting Canadian, Taylor Pendrith.

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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.

2 Comments

2 Comments

  1. Gunter Eisenberg

    Jun 21, 2020 at 11:30 am

    I beg PGA tour players not to contract Covid-19. Please wash your hands frequently, maintain social distancing, and above all, not consume bat fried rice or soup.

    Reply Report comment

  2. AOC

    Jun 20, 2020 at 1:18 pm

    I can’t believe they are still playing! Defind the PGA tour! Defund the PGA tour!

    Reply Report comment

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News

2026 PGA Championship betting odds

Published

1 day ago

on

May 12, 2026

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Scottie Scheffler leads the betting ahead of the second major championship of the year, with the World Number One a +345 favorite to get his hands on a second PGA Championship.

Rory McIlroy who won the Masters back in April is a +800 shot to complete half of the calendar slam at Aronimink Golf Club this week, while Jordan Spieth can be backed at +5900 to become a career grand slam winner.

Here is the full betting board for the 2026 PGA Championship courtesy of DraftKings.

Scottie Scheffler +345 – (Check 0ut his WITB here)

Rory McIlroy +800 – (Check out his WITB here)

  • Jon Rahm +1300 
  • Cameron Young +1500
  • Bryson DeChambeau +1700
  • Xander Schauffele +1850
  • Matt Fitzpatrick +1950
  • Ludvig Aberg +2000
  • Tommy Fleetwood +2600
  • Collin Morikawa +3500
  • Brooks Koepka +3900
  • Justin Rose +4300
  • Russell Henley +4600
  • Si Woo Kim +4700
  • Justin Thomas +4800
  • Robert MacIntyre +5300
  • Patrick Cantlay +5300
  • Viktor Hovland +5400
  • Tyrrell Hatton +5500
  • Jordan Spieth +5900
  • Sam Burns +6000
  • Hideki Matsuyama +6200
  • Adam Scott +6400
  • Rickie Fowler +7000
  • Chris Gotterup +7400
  • Patrick Reed +7400
  • Min Woo Lee +7800
  • Ben Griffin +8000
  • Sepp Straka +8400
  • Shane Lowry +9000
  • Akshay Bhatia +9200
  • Maverick McNealy +9200
  • Joaquin Niemann +9200
  • Jake Knapp +9200
  • Jason Day +9600
  • Kurt Kitayama +10000
  • J.J. Spaun +10000
  • Harris English +10500
  • Nicolai Hojgaard +11000
  • Gary Woodland +11000
  • David Puig +11000
  • Michael Thorbjornsen +12000
  • Jacob Bridgeman +12000
  • Keegan Bradley +12500
  • Corey Conners +14000
  • Alex Fitzpatrick +15000
  • Sungjae Im +15500
  • Sahith Theegala +15500
  • Harry Hall +15500
  • Alex Noren +16000
  • Thomas Detry +16500
  • Marco Penge +16500
  • Kristoffer Reitan +17000
  • Alex Smalley +17000
  • Wyndham Clark +17500
  • Sam Stevens +17500
  • Keith Mitchell +17500
  • Daniel Berger +18500
  • Ryan Gerard +20000
  • Nick Taylor +20000
  • Rasmus Hojgaard +21000
  • Dustin Johnson +21000
  • Pierceson Coody +23000
  • Aaron Rai +24000
  • Jordan Smith +24000
  • Angel Ayora +24000
  • Bud Cauley +25000
  • Matt McCarty +26000
  • Jayden Schaper +26000
  • Brian Harman +27000
  • Taylor Pendrith +27000
  • Ryan Fox +27000
  • J.T. Poston +27000
  • Cameron Smith +29000
  • Ryo Hisatsune +29000
  • Michael Kim +29000
  • Max Homa +29000
  • Denny McCarthy +29000
  • Tom McKibbin +30000
  • Rico Hoey +32000
  • Matt Wallace +32500
  • Ricky Castillo +33000
  • Haotong Li +33000
  • Michael Brennan +34000
  • Max Greyserman +36000
  • Stephan Jaeger +37500
  • Christiaan Bezuidenhout +37500
  • Rasmus Neergaard-Petersen +39000
  • Aldrich Potgieter +40000
  • Andrew Novak +42000
  • Patrick Rodgers +42500
  • Daniel Hillier +42500
  • Max McGreevy +46000
  • Billy Horschel +48000
  • Chris Kirk +48000
  • Ian Holt +49000
  • Casey Jarvis +49000
  • William Mouw +50000
  • Steven Fisk +50000
  • John Parry +50000
  • Nico Echavarria +52500
  • Garrick Higgo +52500
  • John Keefer+55000
  • Matthias Schmid +57500
  • Austin Smotherman +57500
  • Sami Valimaki +60000
  • Andrew Putnam +60000
  • Lucas Glover +62500
  • Daniel Brown +62500
  • Jhonattan Vegas +75000
  • Emiliano Grillo +80000
  • Mikael Lindberg +85000
  • Adrien Saddier +100000
  • Bernd Wiesberger +100000
  • Elvis Smylie +110000
  • Stewart Cink +130000
  • Kota Kaneko +130000
  • David Lipsky +150000
  • Chandler Blanchet +150000
  • Andy Sullivan +150000
  • Joe Highsmith +180000
  • Adam Schenk +200000
  • Travis Smyth +200000
  • Davis Riley +225000
  • Martin Kaymer +400000
  • Brian Campbell +400000
  • Padraig Harrington +450000
  • Kazuki Higa +450000
  • Jordan Gumberg +450000
  • Ryan Vermeer +500000
  • Austin Hurt +500000
  • Tyler Collet +500000
  • Timothy Wiseman +500000
  • Shaun Micheel +500000
  • Y.E. Yang +500000
  • Michael Block+500000
  • Mark Geddes+500000
  • Luke Donald+500000
  • Bryce Fisher+500000
  • Jimmy Walker +500000
  • Jason Dufner +500000
  • Jesse Droemer +500000
  • Jared Jones +500000
  • Garrett Sapp +500000
  • Francisco Bide +500000
  • Zach Haynes +500000
  • Paul McClure+500000
  • Derek Berg +500000
  • Chris Gabriele +500000
  • Braden Shattuck +500000
  • Ben Polland +500000
  • Ben Kern +50000

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Tour Photo Galleries

Photos from the 2026 PGA Championship

Published

2 days ago

on

May 11, 2026

By

GolfWRX is on site for the second major of 2026: The PGA Championship from Aronimink in Newtown Square, Pennsylvania.

The tournament’s location, just outside Philadelphia, and its status as a major championship mean GolfWRXers are in for a treat: WITBs from a strong field, custom gear celebrating the PGA Championship, and the rich culture of the City of Brotherly Love — we have noted a relative absence of cheesesteak-themed items thus far this week, but most of the rest of the usual suspects are well represented.

Check out links to all our photos below.

General Albums

WITB Albums

Pullout Albums

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News

How much each player won at the 2026 Truist Championship

Published

2 days ago

on

May 11, 2026

By

Kristoffer Reitan held his nerve at Quail Hollow on Sunday to claim his first PGA Tour victory and the $3.6 million winner’s check that came with it. The Norwegian fended off a packed leaderboard on a dramatic final day, with Rickie Fowler and Nicolai Højgaard both taking home $1.76 million for their runner-up finishes.

With a total prize purse of $20 million up for grabs, here’s a look at how much each player won at the 2026 Truist Championship.

1: Kristoffer Reitan, $3,600,000

T2: Rickie Fowler, $1,760,000

T2: Nicolai Hojgaard, -$1,760,000

4: Alex Fitzpatrick, $960,000

T5: Tommy Fleetwood, $730,000

T5: Sungjae Im, $730,000

T5: J.J. Spaun, $730,000

T8: Ludvig Aberg, $600,000

T8: Harry Hall, $600,000

T10: Patrick Cantlay, $500,000

T10: Matt McCarty, $500,000

T10: Cameron Young, $500,000

13: Justin Thomas, $420,000

T14: Min Woo Lee, $360,000

T14: Chris Gotterup, $360,000

T14: Nick Taylor, $360,000

T17: Alex Smalley, $310,000

T17: Gary Woodland, $310,000

T19: Austin Smotherman, $242,100

T19: Rory McIlroy, $242,100

T19: Keegan Bradley, $242,100

T19: Sudarshan Yellamaraju, $242,100

T19: Kurt Kitayama, $242,100

T24: Patrick Rodgers, $156,643

T24: Pierceson Coody, $156,643

T24: Adam Scott, $156,643

T24: Andrew Novak, $156,643

T24: Harris English, $156,643

T24: J.T. Poston, $156,643

T24: David Lipsky, $156,643

T31: Brian Harman, $114,416.67

T31: Viktor Hovland, $114,416.67

T31: Alex Noren, $114,416.67

T31: Tony Finau, $114,416.67

T31: Nico Echavarria, $114,416.67

T31: Corey Conners, $114,416.67

T37: Sam Burns, $82,187.50

T37: Maverick McNealy, $82,187.50

T37: Akshay Bhatia, $82,187.50

T37: Taylor Pendrith, $82,187.50

T37: Matt Wallace, $82,187.50

T37: Andrew Putnam, $82,187.50

T37: Bud Cauley, $82,187.50

T37: Lucas Glover, $82,187.50

T45: Justin Rose, $60,000

T45: Daniel Berger, $60,000

T45: Ryo Hisatsune, $60,000

T48: Denny McCarthy, $50,000

T48: Aldrich Potgieter, $50,000

T48: Webb Simpson, $50,000

T48: Michael Kim, $50,000

T52: Mackenzie Hughes, $45,187.50

T52: Max Homa, $45,187.50

T52: Brian Campbell, $45,187.50

T52: Jhonattan Vegas, $45,187.50

T52: Matt Fitzpatrick, $45,187.50

T52: Chandler Blanchet, $45,187.50

T52: Jordan Spieth, $45,187.50

T52: Jacob Bridgeman, $45,187.50

T60: Xander Schauffele, $42,500

T60: Robert MacIntyre, $42,500

T60: Ricky Castillo, $42,500

T63: Ben Griffin, $41,250

T63: Sepp Straka, $41,250

T65: Ryan Gerard, $40,250

T65: Si Woo Kim, $40,250

67: Ryan Fox, $39,500

68: Jason Day, $39,000

69: Sahith Theegala, $38,000

70: Sam Stevens, $37,500

71: Hideki Matsuyama, $37,000

72: Tom Hoge, $36,000

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