News

Morning 9: Lexi to retire | Hadwin’s club debacle | Thorbjornsen earns card

Published

1 year ago

May 29, 2024

Ben Alberstadt

By Ben Alberstadt with Gianni Magliocco.

For comments: ben.alberstadt@golfwrx.com

Good Wednesday morning, golf fans, as we gear up for the Canadian Open and U.S. Women’s Open.

1. Lexi Thompson retiring

GolfWRX staff…”Lexi Thompson has announced that she is to retire from full-time competitive golf at this season’s end.”

“Thompson revealed her retirement plans via the USGA ahead of this week’s U.S. Open. “

“This week’s U.S Open will be Thompson’s 18th consecutive start in the U.S. Women’s Open.”

“Thompson won the 2014 ANA Inspiration (now Chevron Championship) and notched 11 LPGA Tour victories, as well as representing the United States in the Solheim Cup six times during her illustrious career.”

Full piece.

2. More on Lexi

Ron Sirak for USGA.org…”The legacy of Lexi Thompson began at a USGA championship in 2007 when the 12-year-old prodigy became the then-youngest qualifier in U.S. Women’s Open history. On Tuesday, she bookended a remarkable career at another USGA championship – the 79th U.S. Women’s Open Presented by Ally – when she announced her retirement from full-time competitive golf.”

“The stunning news from the 29-year-old known for her powerful drives and gentle manner with her many fans was another twist in a golf journey that saw many successes and a few “what if” moments.”

“When she tees it up Thursday at Lancaster Country Club it will be Thompson’s 18th consecutive start in the U.S. Women’s Open, which is a mindboggling achievement for someone who just celebrate her 29th birthday in February.”

“And while what lays ahead for Lexi remains vague, her many accomplishments are crystal clear. She won the U.S. Girls’ Junior Championship in 2008; made the cut in the 2009 U.S. Women’s Open at 14 and went 4-0-1 for the United States in the 2010 Curtis Cup at 15.”

Full piece.

3. Hadwin’s club debacle

Our Matt Vincenzi…After yet another airline debacle involving missing clubs, the 36-year-old took to X to express his displeasure with the situation.

Hadwin has a strong history at the Canadian Open, finishing T12 last year and 6th in 2019, which is the most recent time that Hamilton has hosted the event.

Hopefully, Adam will be able to compete in his country’s National Open with his own set of clubs.

Hadwin tweeted…”I know most of you feel the same way I am right now when airlines mess up. I’ve been dealing with @AirCanada all day trying to get me clubs out of Denver. Been told one thing only for something else to happen. At this point they have sat in Denver for 20 hours without making it…Onto another flight to Toronto. Unacceptable. It’s not as if Denver and Toronto are remote. Airlines need to do better.”

Full piece.

4. Slow play penalty

Our Matt Vincenzi…”A slow play penalty has proven costly for University of Virginia sophomore Ben James.”

“James finished in a six-way tie for second, missing a 15-foot birdie putt on the 18th hole that left him one shy of the winner, Hiroshi Tai from Georgia Tech.”

“While I’m sure he’d like to have the birdie putt back, what really cost James was the penalty he received during Friday’s first round of the event, when both James and Baard Skogen of Texas Tech received one-stroke penalties for slow play. The penalty was assessed on the par-4 17th hole.”

James spoke with Golf Digest about the penalty.

“It’s a crazy game. One shot. It’s the rules, but it sucks. It stings. There’s such a fine line in golf.”

He added that they were given a warning on hole 14.

“We weren’t trying to slow up play. We were just trying to play our best golf.”

“I knew the result wasn’t going to change, but I wanted to get everything out. And I think that was important. … It made me feel better giving my two cents.”

Full piece.

5. Lexi ‘very content’ with the retirement decision

Mike Hall for Golf Monthly…”Lexi Thompson has explained why she is comfortable with her decision to retire from full-time professional golf at the age of just 29.”

“Despite her relatively young age, the American will be competing in her 18th consecutive US Women’s Open this week, having first appeared at the Major when she was just 12. In an emotional press conference ahead of the Lancaster Country Club event, Thompson admitted that golf has dominated her life since her early childhood and that she is ready to try new things.”

“She said: “Golf has been my life ever since I was 5 years old, tournaments when I was 7. I haven’t really known much of a life different, but it’s been an amazing one.”

“She continued: “There’s more things to life than going to a tournament every week and doing the same training every day. There’s just more to it, and I’m looking forward to experiencing that.”

“I feel like I’m very content with where my life is and where this decision will lead me to. Yeah, I’m just looking forward to what life has in store other than golf.”

Full piece.

6. Nelly Korda pays tribute to Lexi

Ronan MacNamara for Irish Golfer…”World number one Korda has played alongside Thompson for USA in the Solheim Cup in recent years and she says Lexi will have left a lasting impact on the LPGA Tour.”

“She’s had such an amazing career, I think. I’ve gotten to be on the team with her a couple times representing our country,” said Korda who is looking for her seventh win in eight starts this week.

“I think she does an amazing job for the Tour. She spends so much time going to each Pro-Am party. She really dedicated her time to growing the game. It’s sad to see that she’s obviously leaving and not going to be out here with us anymore, but she’s had an amazing career, and I wish her the best in this new chapter of her life.”

Full piece.

7. ICYMI: Thorbjornsen secures PGA Tour card

Field Level Media report…”Michael Thorbjornsen of Stanford finished No. 1 in the PGA Tour University standings and secured his PGA Tour card as soon as he turns professional.”

“Thorbjornsen, a 22-year-old from Massachusetts, was one of the top players in college golf this season and has capitalized on the relatively new pathway for amateurs to qualify for the tour directly through college. Thorbjornsen accrued a high enough points average over the past two years to finish the 2023-24 NCAA season atop the rankings.”

“Points are awarded for playing college tournaments as well as getting into professional events. Thorbjornsen has made the cut in four professional tournaments already, most recently the 2023 John Deere Classic. He placed fourth at the 2022 Travelers Championship, where he was playing on an exemption.”

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)