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Morning 9: Augusta won’t ban LIV pros | 2022 rules controversies | Millionaires abound

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3 years ago

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By Ben Alberstadt with Gianni Magliocco and Matthew Vincenzi.

For comments: ben.alberstadt@golfwrx.com
December 21, 2022

Good Wednesday morning, golf fans, as we inch closer towards the holiday season.

1. Augusta National says it won’t ban LIV Golf players from 2023 Masters

Golf Digest’s Christopher Powers…”Augusta National announced Tuesday that it will not ban LIV Golf members from the 2023 Masters tournament.”

  • “In a statement, Augusta National and Masters chairman Fred Ridley wrote that, “Regrettably, recent actions have divided men’s professional golf by diminishing the virtues of the game and the meaningful legacies of those who built it.” However, while Ridley said he was “disappointed” in these developments, “our focus is to honor the tradition of bringing together a preeminent field of golfers.”
  • “Therefore, as invitations are sent this week, we will invite those eligible under our current criteria to compete in the 2023 Masters Tournament,” Ridley said. “As we have said in the past, we look at every aspect of the Tournament each year, and any modifications or changes to invitation criteria for future Tournaments will be announced in April.”
Full piece.

2. An upcoming Ryder Cup locale?

Jamie Hall for Bunkered…“An English country estate has launched ambitious plans to host the Ryder Cup in 2031 or 2035. Proposals have been lodged with Central Bedfordshire Council to build a championship course at Luton Hoo with the aim of bringing the biennial clash back to the country for the first time in three decades.”

  • “The estate’s owner Arora Group believes the venue could become a regular stop on the DP World Tour, according to Luton Today.”
Full piece.

3. Lavner: LIV has been good for PGA Tour

Golf Channel’s Ryan Lavner…”Yes, it stings not to have Dustin Johnson, Cameron Smith and Bryson DeChambeau teeing it up in Tour events for the foreseeable future, but LIV’s disruption forced a steady but stale product to adapt. The best players are about to get generationally wealthy (if they aren’t already). A top-70 cutoff should lead to a more competitive and cutthroat conclusion to the regular season. And while next year’s schedule is a step in the right direction – elevated events with guaranteed top fields and $20 million purses, with the fall used solely for status qualifiers – 2024 should be even more streamlined as the Tour seeks to build on its strategic alliance with the DP World Tour. The Tour’s stated mission has been to create playing opportunities for its membership, but it’s simply bad business to treat Tiger Woods and Tyler Duncan the same. The Tour has finally begun catering to the biggest names, and that can only mean good things for the product in the future.”
Full piece.
4. Most read equipment stories on GolfWRX

It’s that time of year, GolfWRXers, when we take a backward glance at some of the best content published over the past 12 months.

  • As 2023 approaches, we’re counting down the 10 most-read equipment stories of the year on GolfWRX. And after much internal discussion and impassioned debate (read: my editorial whims), we’ve decided to include WITB articles in the list.
  • A few inclusions…10. TOUR REPORT: This dominant PGA pro is using hybrids (and irons) from 11 years ago…9. Best driver 2022: Most forgiving driver…8. Best fairway woods of 2022: By expert club fitters for you!
  • Hit the link for the rest.
Full piece.

5. Rules controversies of the year

Assembled by Christopher Powers for Golf Digest…

  • One of the most notable…
  • “’You’re wrong’: Berger, Hovland and Dahmen get into spat at Players”
  • “The situation: During the weather-delayed Monday final round of the Players Championship, Daniel Berger’s second shot on the par-5 16th hole at TPC Sawgrass was so wayward that he said “water ball” almost immediately after impact. That’s when things got real testy, real fast. Berger believed his golf ball had started left of the flag stick on the 16th green, therefore crossing land up near the putting surface, where he thought he was going to drop and have a decent chance at an up-and-down par save. His playing partner, Viktor Hovland, disagreed about the line and dropping it that close to the green in an all-time #protectthefield moment. Joel Dahmen, the third member of the group, sided with Hovland, both of them believing the ball had crossed land much further back than Berger had thought.”
  • “To be honest with you, I’m not really OK with [the drop] being up there,” Hovland said. “That’s not really what I saw.”
  • “The result: Given Dahmen and Hovland were in agreement, Berger decided to drop farther back than he thought he should (he could have played two balls or dropped from where he thought it last crossed, but may have run the risk of being DQ’d after the round if it was determined that was the wrong spot). “It’s a bad drop, that’s all I’m saying,” said Berger, who later added “you know what, I’m going to drop here for the sake of you guys, but you’re wrong.”
Full piece.

6. Millionaires abound

Tod Leonard for Golf Digest…”It’s inarguable. This year, there was more talk about money in professional golf than at any time in the sport’s history. It was a conversation thrust upon us by the arrival of Saudi Arabia-backed LIV Golf, whose investment of $750 million in its first year of existence changed the way that tours and fans viewed the value of the game’s top players—as well as those who are closer to a cushy retirement than they are contending in major championships.”

  • “The dollar signs for LIV Golf were pretty staggering. Beyond the many millions numerous players are guaranteed simply to show up at events, those who performed the best earned incredible amounts. Dustin Johnson led all LIV check cashers with $35.6 million in eight starts, including an $18 million bonus for winning the season-long individual points title. Branden Grace was second by making a combined $16.6 million.”
  • “The lowest earner among those who played at least seven LIV events? South Africa’s Shaun Norris, a 40-year-old one-time DP World Tour winner who made $1,006,000, good for 52nd place in the LIV money standings, in seven appearances.”
Full piece.

7. What the players think on LIV players in Masters

Golfweek’s Adam Schupak…”Ahead of ANGC Chairman Fred Ridley’s announcement, Golfweek asked more than a dozen players, including past champions Jordan Spieth (2015) and Trevor Immelman (2008), whether LIV golfers should be allowed to play in the Masters. Here are their answers.”

  • Trevor Immelman…“If they have qualified via various criteria, yes. It is an invitational though so the Masters can decide on its own criteria.”
  • Justin Thomas…“If they’ve qualified, if they’re good enough. I don’t think it’s just a pity invite. DJ, Cam Smith, P Reed, Charl, they’ve earned it and they definitely deserve to play.”
  • Xander Schauffele…“If they’ve qualified, I don’t see why they shouldn’t be allowed to.”
  • Jim Furyk…“I’m definitely going to take the high road on this. It’s their tournament and at any private club you can invite who you want to join. In this case, it’s their tournament, their club, they started it and they can invite who they want. It’ll be interesting. They are the first major of the year and that will set a precedent, for sure.”
Full piece.

8. Six-year-old golf prodigy signs NIL deal with bag manufacturer

Our Jason Daniels…”Much has been written about the attention placed on Charlie’s shoulders at such a young age, something the 15-time major champ is keen to protect against, so imagine his thoughts at the news that a six-year-old golfer now has a NIL deal. Yes, SIX YEARS OLD!”

  • Golf gear company Sunday Golf recently held a press conference showcasing Patton Green with his father Matt, discussing the revelation that the golf phenom has signed the Name-Image-Likeness deal, making this the youngest such partnership in sports history.
  • Despite his tender years, Patton has already accumulated several titles, including the 2022 Southern California State Champion for Six and Under alongside nine other first-place finishes in competitive tournaments.
Full piece.

9. Bryson on Augusta’s decision
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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

By

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

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Jul 29, 2025

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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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