News
Rickie pays tribute to Payne
As of this writing, Rickie Fowler is still warming up for his 8:13 a.m. tee time at Pinehurst No. 2, but he’s already making headlines.
Why you ask? Take a look at this photo tweeted by Pinehurst Resort.
Fowler, a man known for his singular sartorial decisions and flamboyant attire, is paying tribute to another golfer with a similar reputation: the late, great Payne Stewart.
Stewart, of course, won the 1999 U.S. Open at Pinehurst in what is widely regarded as one of the best U.S. Opens of all time. Clearly the man and his memory inspire the young Oklahoma State grad. As he tweeted prior to hitting the course:
Fowler tied for 10th at last year’s U.S. Open. Let’s hope the classy gesture sees him improving upon that finish this year.
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
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
- 2025 Wyndham Championship – Tuesday #1
- 2025 Wyndham Championship – Tuesday #2
- 2025 Wyndham Championship – Tuesday #3
WITB Albums
- Chandler Phillips – WITB – 2025 Wyndham Championship
- Davis Riley – WITB – 2025 Wyndham Championship
- Scotty Kennon – WITB – 2025 Wyndham Championship
- Austin Duncan – WITB – 2025 Wyndham Championship
- Will Chandler – WITB – 2025 Wyndham Championship
- Kevin Roy – WITB – 2025 Wyndham Championship
- Ben Griffin – WITB – 2025 Wyndham Championship
- Peter Malnati – WITB – 2025 Wyndham Championship
- Ryan Gerard – WITB – 2025 Wyndham Championship
- Adam Schenk – WITB – 2025 Wyndham Championship
- Kurt Kitayama – WITB – 2025 Wyndham Championship
- Camilo Villegas – WITB – 2025 Wyndham Championship
- Matti Schmid – WITB – 2025 Wyndham Championship
Pullout Albums
- Denny McCarthy’s custom Cameron putters – 2025 Wyndham Championship
- Swag Golf putters – 2025 Wyndham Championship
- Karl Vilips TM MG5 wedges – 2025 Wyndham Championship
- New Bettinardi putters – 2025 Wyndham Championship
- Matt Fitzpatrick’s custom Bettinardi putters – 2025 Wyndham Championship
- Cameron putters – 2025 Wyndham Championship
See what GolfWRXers are saying and join the discussion in the forums.
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)
‘Why would anybody want to change that swing?’ – Brandel Chamblee says PGA Tour star was wrong to change his swing
‘The stupidest freaking thing I’ve ever heard’ – Billy Horschel slams Open idea suggested by Padraig Harrington
WITB Time Machine: Brandt Snedeker’s winning WITB, 2018 Wyndham Championship
Golfer proudly posts photo of ball mark on iron, receives immediate roasting
WITB Time Machine: Matthew Wolff’s winning WITB, 2019 3M Open
Oakmont Country Club bans Wyndham Clark over locker incident; Reveals specific conditions to earn reinstatement
Adam Scott puts Callaway blades in the bag at Wyndham Championship
Report: LIV star fires caddie and coach in shock shake up
Rickie Fowler makes equipment change to ‘something that’s a little easier on the body’
The championship formula: How 3 key stats separate winners from the field
Peter Malnati WITB 2025 (August)
Peter Malnati what’s in the bag accurate as of the Wyndham Championship. More photos from the event here. Driver: Titleist...
Cameron Young’s winning WITB: 2025 Wyndham Championship
Driver: Titleist GT2 (9 degrees, A1 SureFit setting) Buy here. Shaft: Mitsubishi Tensei 1K Pro Orange 70 TX 3-wood: Titleist...
Camilo Villegas WITB 2025 (July)
Camilo Villegas WITB accurate as of the Wyndham Championship. Villegas was undecided on a 3-wood when we shot his bag. ...
WITB Time Machine: Brandt Snedeker’s winning WITB, 2018 Wyndham Championship
Brandt Snedeker fired a final-round 65 at the 2018 Wyndham Championship to outlast Webb Simpson and C.T. Pan. His 5-under...
KK
Jun 16, 2014 at 7:07 pm
Ball don’t lie– T2 and his best major finish ever. For my grammar Nazis, ball doesn’t lie. Maybe Payne is not displeased.
Alex
Jun 13, 2014 at 1:55 am
Some of you guys are certified grinches. And that’s being generous.
Rich
Jun 12, 2014 at 10:01 pm
Even Rickie Fowler has nay sayers? Amazing! Seems like the nicest guy. He gets masses of publicity whatever he’s wearing. Why would he do this as a publicity stunt? There’s no reason. Good work Rickie, I think it’s a cool idea. RIP Payne Stewart.
Wade
Jun 12, 2014 at 7:01 pm
Gentlemen,
With all due respect, though none seems due hear, I love it when someone displays there lack of knowledge for the world to see. You make judgements about Fowler’s character and motives, yet the only thing you know about him is what you read or see in a short blurb on tv. Mr. Fowler was just given an award by the Folds of Honor Foundation for his selfless efforts to support the men and women who serve in our armed forces. Especially those who paid the ultimate sacrifice with their lives. He has given so much of his time and resources to provide for the families of those soldiers that did not come home. If you only knew half the things he has done behind the scenes, I think you would be more than embarrassed by your fact-less judgements. I have spent quite a bit of time with him at the Patriot tournament every year on Memorial Day in Tulsa. This young man has so much character and sense of responsibility and gratitude. He gives freely of his time. He puts his money where his mouth is. The country would do well to have more 20 something’s just like him. Would love for my son to turn out just like him. Definite role model material here. Spend five minutes with him before you judge based on what you read online or see on tv. Better to remain silent and be thought a fool, than to speak and remove all doubt! (Lincoln, Twain) Sorry, but makes my blood boil to see someone crucified for nothing.
RSinSG
Jun 12, 2014 at 7:25 pm
Well said. I think Ricky is one of the good guys. His Asian grandfather plays in my men’s leagues and we get to hear some of the family stories. Granted, they are from a proud grandpa but from all I see we could use more of him.
steve
Jun 12, 2014 at 8:09 pm
And that has nothing to do with the subject matter here. No one is judging his character, judging his motives. Two different things. Because he dresses for attention doesn’t make him a bad person. Sad that parents look for famous people to be role models for their kids. I will be my kids role model like my father and mother were to me.
Wade
Jun 12, 2014 at 9:26 pm
It has everything to do with his character. And I’m sure you are a great role model as am I. Do you think kids can only look up to one person? It’s not a bad thing to have more than one. Don’t be silly. Ricky’s motives are in question and that’s a character judgement. Now you are making judgements about my character when you most certainly don’t know me either. Obviously we should just agree to disagree and leave it at that my friend.
Me
Jun 12, 2014 at 10:55 pm
You might want do pull up you pants, your brains are showing. Motives are a formulated by character and this a direct result of character, the two are inseparable. To argue otherwise only highlights ones lack of vocabulary. I’ve got news for you, Payne was a very flashy dresser as well, well before he won anything. Why would you want to be your child’s only role model? Do you want them to be exactly like you? Your vanity will unfortuey limit your child’s growth as human being. I for one want my child to be an improvement over me. Also, just because you think you are your kids role model, doesn’t make it so.
steve
Jun 13, 2014 at 6:50 pm
Is it character formulated by motives or motives formulated by character? Let me know. Either way thanks for the interest and for following.
Enjoy Ricki and the golf.
steve
Jun 12, 2014 at 5:58 pm
Do really think it was about Payne Stewart? He didn’t even know the guy. Wasn’t he into dirt biking when he was very young then got into golf in his teen years. Payne died when he was eleven. Get attention with your game and not your clothes already. I love the guy that compares Ricki and Payne, who ever compared them to each other. I love when someone makes a point and then it gets twisted
Alex
Jun 13, 2014 at 1:59 am
I guess I couldn’t pay homage to Bobby Jones, or consider him a favorite because I wasn’t playing golf when he was?
Think about what you’re saying before you say it, please.
steve
Jun 13, 2014 at 6:51 pm
Exactly
Alex
Jun 14, 2014 at 1:25 am
Quote possibly the most ridiculous and illogical statement I’ve read.
steve
Jun 14, 2014 at 8:40 am
Your to hard on yourself.
Thanks for following
cheesehead42
Jun 13, 2014 at 9:00 am
So all of the years growing, I wore Micheal Jordan’s shoes, played Tiger’s clubs, and used the same baseball glove as Ken Griffey Jr.
Apparently I was wrong for being inspired by them because I didn’t personally know them? Crap, all those years down the drain.
steve
Jun 13, 2014 at 6:53 pm
You were paying homage to them?
bradford
Jun 19, 2014 at 7:27 am
So, you knew Payne?
Tom Stickney
Jun 12, 2014 at 5:22 pm
I do miss Payne…cool deal.
William
Jun 12, 2014 at 2:22 pm
Someone once posted that Ricky is the male Natalie Gulbis. Lots of flash, not so much game. To pull off the Payne Stewart gig, he needs more game to back it up.
Steve
Jun 12, 2014 at 4:07 pm
I played against Natalie in high school and my cousin played against Richie in Stockton. I would say that this statement is completely off…Richie is twice the golfer Natalie is on her best day.
Me
Jun 12, 2014 at 4:40 pm
Considering that Payne couldn’t get a playing card his first try, and Ricki did, and that Payne had to play a few years on the Asian tour, while Ricki is playing in the big show from the get go. And that Payne took nine professional years to win a major, I think ricki is more than holding his own. Payne should be honored that young golfers even know who he is. Honestly, if he hadn’t died he would have been just another 2nd tier golfer, with a few majors, in the Tiger era.
snapjack
Jun 12, 2014 at 1:57 pm
Looks like he’s putting with a model airplane but I like the duds!
robert
Jun 12, 2014 at 2:07 pm
Fowler is a walking billboard who has made 100 times as much money plugging corporate sponsors as he has playing. Even in the post round interview he’s standing there with a Red Bull in his hand,label facing camera. Please. None of this is unintentional, the guy knows exactly what he’s doing even if most people haven’t a clue. The Media sells his image to young kids not because he is a terrific golfer but because he has hip appeal and they are desperately scouring the field as Tiger and Phil age.
JJ
Jun 12, 2014 at 2:23 pm
None of what you stated has anything to do with paying homage to Payne. I didn’t see any Puma logos on his pants or socks. Keep your negativity at home, just because Ricky has a Red Bull, logo out, on his post round interview, doesn’t have anything to do with this outfit. I guess you should get mad at Phil for plugging KPMG on the front of his hat, or any other player with a brand on their gear. It’s ALL Marketing, moron, not just Ricky, and almost all of them make incrementally more amounts off course then on.
Jason
Jun 12, 2014 at 3:07 pm
You know MOST golfers make the majority of their money off the course right?
Tiger made $83M in 2013 – $8.5M was from tournament earnings.
Painter33
Jun 13, 2014 at 9:33 am
He needs to complete the look – real leather shoes with gold toe guards. Payne was class personified. Both seem(ed) like decent guys who was/is universally liked on tour.
ABgolfer2
Jun 12, 2014 at 11:27 am
He could have worn a different hat though.
Philip
Jun 12, 2014 at 12:43 pm
Yes and no, paying homage doesn’t mean copying – he’s honoring Payne while still being himself.
RI_Redneck
Jun 12, 2014 at 10:44 am
Lookin’ good!!!
perisho
Jun 12, 2014 at 10:20 am
Ha. That’s cool.
JJ
Jun 12, 2014 at 10:10 am
Awesome that Ricky paid homage in this manner. I was expecting someone in contention on the weekend to surprise everyone by pulling it off (Horschel maybe?) but still a great gesture nonetheless.
Class act Rick, well played.
Tom
Jun 12, 2014 at 7:46 pm
Your comment and kind heart will serve you well in life.