News

Morning 9: Finau going nowhere? | PNC field | PGA Tour suspends Rahm

Published

2 years ago

Dec 12, 2023

Ben Alberstadt

By Ben Alberstadt with Gianni Magliocco.

For comments: ben.alberstadt@golfwrx.com

Good Tuesday morning, golf fans, as we turn our attention to the PNC Championship.

1. Oosthuizen takes Alfred Dunhill

AP report…”Louis Oosthuizen came out on top in his final-round duel with close friend and fellow South African Charl Schwartzel to win the Alfred Dunhill Championship on Monday for his first European tour title in five years.”

“Oosthuizen closed with a 3-under 69 to win by 2 strokes, but only after a nervy finish that saw him make bogey at No. 17 and roll in a long par putt at the par-5 18th hole after hitting his drive into water.”

“Just got lucky on this one,” said the 2010 British Open champion, who finished on 18-under 270.

Full piece.

2. PNC Championship field

In case you were wondering…

40 players/20 teams

Cink, Regan

Cink, Stewart

Daly, John

Daly, Jr., John

Duval, Brady

Duval, David

Faldo, Matthew

Faldo, Nick

Furyk, Jim

Furyk, Tanner

Goosen, Leo

Goosen, Retief

Harrington, Ciaran

Harrington, Padraig

Korda, Nelly

Korda, Petr

Kuchar, Cameron

Kuchar, Matt

Langer, Bernhard

Langer, Jason

Lehman, Sean

Lehman, Tom

Leonard, Justin

Leonard, Luke

McGee, Will

O’Meara, Mark

O’Meara, Shaun

Price, Greg

Price, Nick

Singh, Qass

Singh, Vijay

Sorenstam, Annika

Stricker, Izzy

Stricker, Steve

Thomas, Justin

Thomas, Mike

Trevino, Daniel

Trevino, Lee

Woods, Charlie

Woods, Tigee

3. Lessons from the Grant Thornton

Golf Digest’s Dave Shedloski…“Mutual gushing was the order of the day through 54 holes. Each side had a lot to appreciate about the other. The women got to witness the power the men unleash with their drivers. The men saw just how well the women score with overall skill and tenacity.”

“I think it’s really cool to marry the tours together,” Tony Finau said. “They’re seeing shots that they haven’t seen with us, and vice versa. We’re seeing shots that we haven’t seen, and we only get to watch these guys on TV, they only get to watch us on TV.”

“Ko underscored perfectly what it meant to be paired with Day when she told her caddie she wanted to hang back at the men’s tee on the final hole to watch Day hit one more drive.

…”The hope among LPGA officials is that the Grant Thornton remains an annual event that also opens up other joint ventures with the PGA Tour.”

“What was there was a showcase of pure enjoyment of the game along with excellence. You know what that’s good for? Anyone? We’ll let Ko spell out it for you.”

“This week I think every player that’s here, whether it’s the PGA Tour player or LPGA player, I think we’re here for more than just the prize money and winning. It’s about the growth of the game,” she said. “It’s great that we got to win on top of that, but I think with the help of Grant Thornton, this is, I think, a start for so many more exciting things to come, and I’m excited to be a part of this partnership.”

Full piece.

4. Could TGL delay be beneficial?

Tom D’Angelo for the Palm Beach Post…”TGL, the virtual golf league launched by Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy, was scheduled to debut in one month in Palm Beach Gardens.”

“But just more than three weeks ago the venue’s roof collapsed causing the league to push back its inaugural season one year. While the delay is unfortunate, some of those who have joined the venture believe it could be beneficial.”

“We are all coming into it pretty hot,” said Justin Rose, the London resident who joined TGL in February. “I know the concept’s been around a year or so, the build out and the tech, but I’m sure there was always going to be things to work out. And as players we were going to come into it literally seeing it for the first time.”

“Said Jupiter’s Rickie Fowler: “It was already in a rushed state so I think it’s only going to benefit it to start in ’25.”

Full piece.

5. Rory strikes a blow

Our Matt Vincenzi…”Never one to shy away from controversy, Rory McIlroy has taken yet another shot at a LIV player.”

“On Saturday, the four-time major champion replied to a post on X from Lou Stagner.”

“Stagner wrote, “I wonder if @McIlroyRory also wants to change the rules so Stenson can captain the team?”

“McIlroy replied with a dagger.”

“The best thing to happen to the 2023 Euro Ryder cup team was Henrik going to LIV!”

Full Piece.

6. Spieth on Rahm exit

James Colgan for Golf.com…”Spieth, Rahm’s former compatriot on the PGA Tour, has a unique perspective on the state of golf. As one of six player directors on the Tour’s all-important advisory board, Spieth has been part of the discussions about the future of professional golf at the highest level — discussions centered around whether the Tour should welcome an investment partner (or two) and the untold billions they would pump into the Tour in exchange for equity. The PIF is, of course, the highest-profile of those possible partners.”

“In an interview with the Associated Press‘ Doug Ferguson, Spieth said he felt the real reason Rahm jumped for LIV had more to do with the state of golf than the state of his bank account. In other words, Spieth said, the PGA Tour’s present positioning hurt Rahm’s decision as much as the money helped it.”

“I don’t think for him it was the money,” Spieth said. “I believe he saw two places that neither one was in a great situation right now, and he said, ‘May as well have the money.’”

Full Piece.

7. How Chubby Chandler helped Donald Trump buy Turnberry

Our Matt Vincenzi…While speaking with GolfWRX, golf agent Chubby Chandler revealed that he helped Donald Trump buy Turnberry in 2014.

Chandler, who is perhaps best known as being the former agent of major champions such as Rory Mcilroy, Charl Schwartzel, Darren Clarke, and Louis Oosthuizen, began the tale when asked what his favorite Open Championship course is:

“[Turnberry} is such a wonderful golf course, what he’s done to that course is unbelievable,”

“I bought it, you know.” Chubby added.

“I bought it because, I got to know him (Trump) a bit in Florida in 2015 and we’d arranged a game with [Lee] Westwood and myself.”

“We were playing with Donald and I walked into the breakfast room at West Palm Beach there and he says, ‘Chubby!’. and I’ve never met him, and I’m thinking, why is he shouting at me?”

“Chubby! I want you to be my agent.”, Chubby recalled Trump saying.

“Anyway, we played and, which was quite an interesting exercise, and he said I want to buy this course, is it any good?

“Yeah, it’s very good,” Chubby replied.

“Well, I can’t go and buy it cos they’ll jack the price up and it will be difficult,” Trump replied.

“Will you front it for me?”

Chandler agreed.

Full Piece.

8. Finau staying put?

9. PGA Tour suspends Rahm

Todd Kelly for Golfweek…”Jon Rahm left for LIV Golf last Thursday. On Monday, the PGA Tour officially suspended him, which bars him from defending his title at the season-opening Sentry as well as two other Tour stops in 2024.”

“The Tour sent a memo to players alerting them of the move, which was not unexpected, “due to his association with a series of unauthorized tournaments.”

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)