News

Morning 9: Bradley claims emotional win | Lexi back to winning ways | Sergio on Ryder Cup

Published

3 years ago

Oct 17, 2022

Ben Alberstadt

October 17, 2022

Good Monday morning, golf fans, as Keegan Bradley ended his long wait to get back into the winner’s circle by capturing the Zozo Championship in Japan.

*Keegan’s Odyssey Versa Jailbird pictured above*

1. Bradley ends victory drought

AP report…”Bradley raised both arms to the sky and had to choke back tears after clinching the victory with a tap-in on 18.”

“Bradley finished with a 15-under total of 265.”

“Bradley bogeyed two of the last five holes, but came through with a key birdie putt on the 17th to give him a two-shot lead going in the 18th ahead of playing partners Fowler and Putnam.”

“It’s not going to be easy, I knew it wasn’t going to be easy,” Bradley said. “Things aren’t easy for me normally.”

Full piece.

2. Fowler comes up short

Cameron Morfit PGATour.com…”As for getting back in the winner’s circle at the ZOZO CHAMPIONSHIP, with its unique circular trophy, it wasn’t to be.”

“Yeah, kind of bittersweet,” Fowler said after signing for an even-par 70 to finish 14 under par, one back of winner Keegan Bradley (68), at Accordia Golf Narashino Country Club. “Obviously wanted to get the job done and I felt very good going into today.”

“Fowler, 33, was hoping to win for the first time since the 2019 WM Phoenix Open. He had dropped to 176th in the world to start this season, and to shake things up made difficult personnel changes with a new caddie and going back to his old coach, Butch Harmon.”

“It seemed to pay immediate dividends when Fowler finished T6 at the season-opening Fortinet Championship last month. He missed the cut at the Shriners Children’s Open in Las Vegas, but that gave him more time to work with Las Vegas-based Harmon.”

Full piece.

3. Lexi wins Aramco

Golfweek’s Beth Ann NIchols…”Lexi Thompson hoisted a trophy for the first time in three years at the Aramco Team Series in New York. The 27-year-old American star, who last won at the 2019 ShopRite LPGA Classic, closed with a 69 at Trump Golf Links Ferry Point to win by three over Brooke Henderson and Madelene Sagstrom.”

“I came into today just the way I played yesterday, just playing aggressive golf, and being kind of fiery,” said Thompson.

Full piece.

4. Koepka with a LIV win

Tyler Conway for Bleacher Report…”Fifty-four holes wasn’t enough to complete the final individual competition of the LIV Golf season.

Neither was 55.”

“On the 56th hole, Brooks Kopepka finally broke through to capture the 2022 LIV Golf Jeddah Invitational in a playoff against Peter Uihlein.”

“The win is Koepka’s first on any tour since the 2021 Waste Management Phoenix Open and just his second since the end of 2019.”

“Koepka and Uihlein finished the event tied at 12 under and played through a pair of tense playoff holes as the sun was setting in Saudi Arabia. Each facing a bunker shot on the third playoff hole, unfortunate interference from a rock sent Uihlein’s approach sailing into the water and handed the event to Koepka.”

Full piece.

5. Tell us how you really feel, Emiliano

Colby Powell for Golf Channel…”Grillo’s 4th-place finish at the Zozo Championship would lead one to believe that the Argentinean would have a certain affinity for Accordia Golf Narashino Country Club, but that’s not the case.”

“Here’s what the 30-year-old had to say after the final round when asked whether the golf course suits his game.”

“Not really. I don’t like it, to be honest,” Grillo said. “But yeah, it’s a tournament you have to play. It’s a lot of points and not so many players, so obviously I feel like I want to keep playing it here. I don’t know if that’s going to be the case, but it’s been a great week.”

Full piece.

6. Strong field ahead

Golfweek’s Riley Hamel…”The field for the 2022 CJ Cup is official and we’re in for a treat.”

“Defending champion Rory McIlroy is among six of the world’s top-10 players and 15 of the top 20 headed to Congaree Golf Club in Ridgeland, South Carolina.”

“McIlroy hasn’t played on the PGA Tour since winning the Tour Championship and FedEx Cup but has made three starts on the DP World Tour, finishing inside the top five in all three (T-2, 4, T-4).”

“In fact, since his silver medal at the Masters, McIlroy’s only finish outside the top 20 is a missed cut at the FedEx St. Jude Championship in August.”

“World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler, who made his pickleball debut with Jordan Spieth Thursday night, tied for 38th at The Summit Club last season.”

Full piece.

7. Sergio on Ryder Cup

James Corrigan for the Telegraph… “Sergio Garcia claims that he has allowed his DP World Tour membership to lapse and made himself ineligible for the Ryder Cup to ensure that his presence at next year’s match in Rome does not hamper the chances of his “beloved” Europe team.”

…“I obviously would love to keep being a part of it, but when I see that so many people are against [me playing]… well, if the team is better without me, I’d rather be out of it,” Garcia told Sports Illustrated. “Unfortunately it doesn’t feel like I’m very welcome on that Tour, so I don’t want to be a bother to anyone.

“There’s obviously several guys who feel strongly that way. Tour is of the same thought. So I don’t want to be something that might hurt the team. I love the Ryder Cup too much. Obviously it’s sad for me but that’s the way they want it. I’m just helping out.”

Full Piece.

8. Fred Couples beats age to win title

Elliot Heath for Golf Monthly… “Fred Couples beat his age to shoot a 12-under-par 60 and win for the first time in five years at the SAS Championship on the PGA Tour Champions.”

“The 63-year-old, former World No.1 and 1992 Masters champion, closed his front nine with five consecutive birdies before ending his round with seven consecutive gains to post a card containing 12 birdies and six pars. He described it as “the best round I’ve ever played” after sealing his 14th title on the PGA Tour Champions.”

“He won the title at Prestonwood Country Club just outside of Raleigh, North Carolina by six strokes with a score of 20-under-par after three rounds.”

Full Piece.

9. Winning WITB: Keegan Bradley at the ‘22 Zozo Championship

Driver: Ping G430 LST (10.5 degrees)

Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Black 6 X

3-wood: TaylorMade SIM2 Max High Launch (16.5 degrees)

Shaft: Aldila Rogue White 130 M.S.I. 70 TX

Hybrid: Callaway Apex UW (19 degrees)

Shaft: Project X Smoke Black RDX 60 TX

Irons: Srixon ZX5 (3-5), Srixon ZX7 (6-PW)

Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue X100

Wedges: Cleveland RTX ZipCore (52-10M, 58-6)

Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue S400

Putter: Odyssey Versa Jailbird

Grip: Super Stroke Traxion Wristlock

Ball: Srixon Z-Star Diamond

Grips: Golf Pride Tour Velvet Plus4

Full WITB.

News

Tour Rundown: Bend, but don’t break

Published

3 weeks ago

Aug 4, 2025

Ronald Montesano

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

Tour Photo Galleries

Photos from the 2025 Wyndham Championship

Published

4 weeks ago

Jul 29, 2025

GolfWRX Staff

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.

News

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

Published

4 weeks ago

Jul 28, 2025

Brian Knudson

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)

GolfWRX

Morning 9: Bradley claims emotional win | Lexi back to winning ways | Sergio on Ryder Cup

News