News

Morning 9: LIV pursue guaranteed Open spots | Morikawa’s secret putting tweak | LIV pros could play TGL series?

Published

2 years ago

Oct 24, 2023

Ben Alberstadt

By Ben Alberstadt with Gianni Magliocco.

For comments: ben.alberstadt@golfwrx.com

Good Tuesday morning, golf fans, as the PGA Tour takes a rare week off from action.

1. DPWRT eligibility expansion

Golf Channel’s Brentley Romine…”Starting next year, PGA Tour players who finish the season ranked outside the top 125 in the FedExCup standings will have playing opportunities across the pond.”

“The DP World Tour announced the eligibility changes on Monday as for the first time it will offer full membership to Nos. 126-200 in final FedExCup points. Also, non-members can earn points with the chance of turning that into affiliate and then full membership.”

“For the Nos. 126-200 group, those players will play out of the newly created Category 12. It’s worth noting that players eligible via this category must take up membership by Nov. 22 if they want to compete in the late-2023 portion of the 2024 schedule, and only five players can play out of Category 12 per tournament.”

“As for the non-members points list, those non-members can take up affiliate membership after the fourth non-major DPWT start…”

Full piece.

2. Report: LIV in pursuit of guaranteed major spots

Our Matt Vincenzi…”LIV Golf recently received bad news that they would not be receiving OWGR points in the foreseeable future, making entry to the four major championships for so many of their professionals nearly impossible.”

“However, according to James Corrigan of The Telegraph, LIV Golf is in discussions with the R&A to ensure LIV players will be granted spots in the Open Championship.”

“Last week, the OWGR denied the application from LIV to receive world ranking points for their tournaments, leaving the pathway for LIV golfers to get in major championships in serious doubt…”

“With only five LIV golfers exempt into all four majors next year, there is clearly a sense of urgency for LIV officials to find a way to get their stars into golf’s biggest events.”

Full piece.

3. Next 10 update

Golf Channel’s Brentley Romine…”Among the 11 players who finished top 10 or better at the Zozo Championship, three of them, including Sunday’s winner Collin Morikawa, ended the FedExCup Playoffs ranked in the top 50 in points. Another four of them were non-members, leaving four guys to make significant leaps with just three events left in the PGA Tour’s new FedExCup Fall.”

“For Morikawa and runner-up Eric Cole, they’ve already locked up spots in every signature event for 2024 via the FedExCup top 50. However, Nos. 51 and beyond in points are still playing for improved status next season. Nos. 51-60 after the fall will get into the first two signature events following The Sentry, the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am (Feb. 1-4) and Genesis Invitational (Feb. 15-18). Perhaps more importantly, players inside the top 125 will retain their full cards while Nos. 126-150 will get conditional status for 2024.”

“In Japan, the other runner-up, Beau Hossler, extended his cushion as No. 51 – he’s now nearly 240 points ahead of No. 52 Taylor Montgomery and has all but clinched his Next 10 spot – while J.J. Spaun reentered the top 60.”

Full piece.

4. Morikawa’s secret putting tweak

Golfweek’s Adam Schupak…”Morikawa and his caddie JJ Jakovac found something that propelled him to one of his best putting weeks of the season and on Sunday when it mattered most, he couldn’t miss.”

“So, what did he find just hours before the tournament began that was the difference in helping him win for the first time on the PGA Tour since the 2021 British Open?”

“Yeah, yeah, we found something and we’re going to stick to it,” he said. “Look, you never know whether it’s going to be right or wrong, but something was off. Something I just couldn’t figure out. JJ and I were just looking at each other very confused and trying a bunch of different things. You know, we weren’t changing too much, we were just trying to look at putts a different way.

“We stuck to it. It was nice to see putts roll in in the first round, and then that continued. Yeah, made a lot of putts this week, it was really nice.”

Full piece.

5. Lindblad passes on Q-Series

Golf Channel’s Brentley Romine…”Despite topping the field by four shots Friday at Stage II of LPGA Q-School, Ingrid Lindblad’s qualifying journey is over.”

“The LSU fifth-year senior won’t be teeing it up in the six-round Q-Series, which begins Nov. 30 in Mobile, Alabama, because she plans on finishing her last semester of eligibility with the Tigers. LPGA rules, changed last year, stipulate that players must turn pro in order to chase an LPGA card via Q-Series, and if players choose to remain amateur, they are afforded the opportunity to defer the Epson Tour status that they’ve earned by advancing through second stage.”

Full piece.

6. 15-year-old Bermuda champ qualifier

Golfweek’s Todd Kelly…”Oliver Betschart, 15, will be the youngest golfer to tee it up on the PGA Tour since 2014 when he competes in the Butterfield Bermuda Championship in November.”

“The phenom, who lives in Bermuda, qualified for the tournament last week. He was one of three players to make it through qualifying.”

“A year ago, Betschart became the youngest to win the Port Royal Golf Club Championship. This year, he was 3-over in the 54-hole local qualifier, which was won by Eric West.”

Full piece.

7. Berkshire, by the thinnest of margins

Golf Digest’s Alex Myers…”The sport of long drive doesn’t usually bring to mind the phrase “It’s a game of inches,” but that’s exactly what it turned out to be for Kyle Berkshire on Sunday. Twice.”

“The long-haired bomber won a third career World Long Drive Championship, and this time he did it by the smallest of margins.”

“Berkshire’s best effort of 398 yards in the finals was good enough to defeat Sean Johnson by one yard. And in the quarterfinal, his sixth and final attempt barely stayed in the grid to produce a 432-yard poke that allowed him to advance past Justin James…”

Full Piece.

8. Horschel defends new PGA Tour agreement

John Turnbull for Bunkered…”Billy Horschel has defended the DP World Tour after it announced new membership opportunities for next season.

“The initiative will offer PGA Tour players, ranked 126-200 on the FedEx Cup standings, full status on the DP World Tour for the following season.

“And the American, who features regularly outside of the US, has argued against the initiative stealing spots from other players.

“Horschel posted on X: “Another way to look at it. Ten players are leaving the DP World Tour to go play PGA Tour next year.

“So, that opens ten more spots that are usually taken. Five will be filled with Challenge Tour/Q School players and another five possibly with PGA Tour conditional members.

“I’m just showing another perspective to look at the situation. And quite possibly the correct perspective to look at the situation.”

Full Piece.

9. LIV pros could play in new TGL series?

Tom D’Angelo for the Palm Beach Post…”The TGL is doing what LIV Golf promises to do.”

“The virtual golf league, backed by Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy, has built a roster with PGA Tour players the quality LIV hoped to sign in the last year, and is still anticipating this offseason.

“Patrick Cantlay and Wyndham Clark highlighted the latest and final round of signings as TGL settles on 24 players. The league starts in January and will be played Monday nights on the Palm Beach State College campus in Palm Beach Gardens.

“LIV and TGL have completely different formats and schedules and are not competing for players. But the possibility of anyone committing to a league run by LIV detractors Woods and McIlroy and also signing with LIV is unknown.

“Even if TGL is in partnership with the PGA Tour and the Tour is working on an agreement with Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, which finances LIV, to merge business interests.

“From the LIV side, Gary Davidson, who served as LIV’s acting COO before Lawrence Burian was named to the position Monday, said last week he does not believe “there would be a conflict” if a golfer who joined TGL showed interest in LIV.”

Full Piece.

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)