News

5 Things we Learned: Day 1, Men’s Olympics 2024

Published

1 year ago

Aug 1, 2024

For stalwart fans of the DP World Tour, Le Golf National is a known commodity. For Ryder Cup-only aficionados, LGN is an “isn’t that the course with all the water at the end” sort of memory. A wee lightning delay turned into a suspension of play, leaving one-fifth of the field stranded off the course for much of the day. Victor Pérez of the host nation hit the first tee shot and the sun rose high for the first day of Olympic golf 2024. 41 of 60 competitors stood below par at nightfall, with eight under in the lead, and five over in the caboose.

What’s not to love about the Olympics? It should be a treat and a privilege to represent your country, and not everyone should be around to contend for the title. There is a sense of entitlement, both for the fans and the players, that all of the best should be there. With numerous players from non-traditional golf countries, there’s much to relish about this competition. We learned five things on day one of the men’s competition, one for each Olympic ring.

Jon Rahm chips in from the greenside rough on 12! ???

? #ParisOlympics on Golf Channel and Peacock pic.twitter.com/0pYakMlEJb

— Golf Channel (@GolfChannel) August 1, 2024

1. Hello, Hideki

We’ve all wondered if the 2021 Masters tournament was a one-off for the titan from the land of the rising sun. Matsuyama has so much game, that it seems unfathomable that a solitary major title will be his legacy. Hideki was flawless on Thursday, matching eight birdies with ten pars. His 63 has him ahead by a pair of shots. If you didn’t know, Hideki already owns one gold medal. He stood atop the podium at the 2011 World University Games in China. After round one, he has a solid chance to acquire a second medallion and make it a collection.

Deep Thoughts from Hideki: Today’s result was good. So I’ll take that as a positive. My putts went in the cup well today. My shots went into the fairway, too. So I had a lot of chances, so I’m happy.

Hideki Matsuyama is SIX-UNDER through ten holes and leading the #ParisOlympics first round. ???

? Golf Channel and Peacock pic.twitter.com/DQZ4RJlWzh

— Golf Channel (@GolfChannel) August 1, 2024

2. It’s been a minute, Xander

Literally, about a minute. Not one of those trendy, forever-minutes of the post millenial generation. Xander Schauffele seems driven to keep his spot warm on the Olympic podium. The 2021 gold medal winner, fresh off a pair of major titles, nearly tracked Matsuyama down. He signed for 65 on the day, a solid, six shots under par. Schauffele was seven-deep on the 17th tee, when he tugged his shot left, into the thick stuff. He chunked a recovery within pitching distance of the green, but was unable to get up and down from twenty yards. His lone bogey relieved him of a shot, but the day was an assured success.

Deep Thoughts from Xander: I think when I look back to being on the podium, it would have been really cool with fans but it was really intimate having my dad be the only person that was there with me besides Austin.

So when you hear the anthem and you come off green and I’m able to sort of share the medal with him, it was kind of as cool as it gets for me, being something that I can deliver to him that he’s always wanted. I think for starters, just being an Olympian is something he always wanted, so that was already a huge delivery just in that sense.

OLYMPIC XANDER IS BACK. ???

Chip-in birdie to open his #ParisOlympics gold medal defense!

? Golf Channel and Peacock pic.twitter.com/awy8kDzG8Y

— Golf Channel (@GolfChannel) August 1, 2024

3. Three-Five-Three is another story

Code Break: it means three golfers at five-under par, in a tie for third place. Those lads would be Chile’s Joaquín Niemann, Korea’s Tom Kim, and Argentina’s Emiliano Grillo. Among the trio, only Kim was bogey-free on the day. Niemann had one stumble and Grillo counted two lost shots on the day. Niemann ignited his round with a 370-yard drive on the par-five third hole. His 190-yard approach settled ten feet from the flag, and he converted the putt for an eagle three. Only a wayward drive at the last kept him from six-below. Grillo’s bogeys came at the 4th and 12th holes, but his seven birdies on the day was the second-low tally for the round, behind Hideki.

Deep Thoughts from Tom Kim: (On the topic of exemption from military service for an Olympic medal) I think that’s — it doesn’t worry me at all. It’s the way our country works and if golf takes care of everything — just because it happened to him doesn’t mean it happens to other people. You can’t say that it affected him at all. There could be different things that happened. It’s not on my mind at all and I’m trying to focus on my game.

4. Olympic veterans on the day

Justin Rose won the 2016 gold medal in Rio, and was joined on the podium by Henrik Stenson and Matt Kuchar. Neither Stenson nor Kuchar qualified for their respective 2024 Olympic sides. Despite a resurgent 2024 season, Rose failed to displace Matt Fitzpatrick and Tommy Fleetwood from England’s squad. Moving to Japan and 2021, two of the three medalists have returned to compete for another metallic circle. We know what Schauffele did, and we also know that Rory Sabattini did not return for Slovakia this year. That leaves bronze medalist C.T. Pan. The man from Chinese Taipei posted a fine 69 on day one, courtesy of one eagle, three birdies, and three bogies. Despite closing with bogey at two of his final three holes, Pan can return to contention with a nice low round on Friday.

Defending Olympic bronze medalist C.T. Pan for EAGLE at the third! ?

? #ParisOlympics on Golf Channel and Peacock pic.twitter.com/eRLKEYkvo4

— Golf Channel (@GolfChannel) August 1, 2024

5. Many big names join the chase

Jon Rahm relaxes at four-under par, joined by Scottie Scheffler and Tommy “Fairway Jesus” Fleetwood. One shot behind that talented triumvirate are Ludvig Aberg and Rory McIlroy. Roars was all over the course with his game on Thursday, but was able to rise to the occasion often enough, to stay in touch with the leaders. McIlroy ripped consecutive, 280-yard shots on the ninth hole, then calmly stroked a five-feet putt for eagle, into the heart of the hole. Despite four bogeys, including a three-putt on the final green, McIlroy is within shouting distance of Hideki, with 54 holes ahead.

Deep Thoughts from Rory McIlroy: Unbelievable. It was surprising. With so many events going on spread all across the city, for people to venture out here and to watch us play, it was a really cool atmosphere to play in.

Rory McIlroy with an eagle at the ninth during round 1 at #PARIS2024 #golf pic.twitter.com/zA6RmaLhiG

— James McMahon (@mcmahon31j) August 1, 2024

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)