News

Morning 9: Saudi Exec backtracks | Woodland, Mullinax lead | 2 aces in four holes

Published

3 years ago

Oct 21, 2022

Ben Alberstadt

By Ben Alberstadt with Gianni Magliocco and Matthew Vincenzi.

For comments: ben.alberstadt@golfwrx.com.

October 21, 2022

Good Friday morning, golf fans, as Trey Mullinax and Gary Woodland share the lead after day one of the CJ Cup.

1. 1,000+ golf courses damaged by Hurricane Ian, per NGF report

Mark H. Bickel, Fort Myers News-Press…”According to the National Golf Foundation report, 1,119 golf facilities were impacted by Ian’s wind and storm surge. That number represent 8% of the country’s overall golf courses.”

“Almost one in six of those were hit by hurricane strength winds and a number of those, particularly in and around the Fort Myers area, remain closed or partially so.”

Full piece.

2. CJ Cup round 1: Woodland, Mullinax, Kim and Rory start strong

Doug Ferguson of AP…”Tom Kim felt as much a spectator as a player Thursday in the CJ Cup, amazed at how Rory McIlroy produces so much power with so little effort.

“Kim wasn’t too bad himself.”

“They were the star attractions on a beautiful morning at Congaree Golf Club, one of them pursuing the No. 1 world ranking, the other a 20-year-old who is quickly becoming one of the more popular players among his peers.”

“Trey Mullinax and former U.S. Open champion Gary Woodland each had a 6-under 65. McIlroy and Kim, who played together in the same group with Rickie Fowler, were among six another shot back at 66.”

Full piece.

3. Proud ROY trophy holder

Jeff Babineau for PGATour.com…”Cameron Young now has a trophy to hold as a reward for his impressive debut campaign on the PGA TOUR. Young, a five-time runner-up last season, received the Arnold Palmer Award on Wednesday as the 2022 PGA TOUR Rookie of the Year.”

“Both Young and Palmer were Wake Forest alums, and another former Demon Deacon, Webb Simpson, delivered the trophy to Young, as did Sungjae Im, the 2019 Palmer Award winner. Simpson and Im playfully stepped through a side entrance in the media center and interrupted the start to Young’s pre-tournament press conference at THE CJ CUP in South Carolina to deliver the news.”

“With his parents watching from the back of the room, Young sat in his chair and grinned, never before so thrilled to be interrupted. Young follows his former Wake Forest roommate, Will Zalatoris, in winning the award. It is the first time players from the same school have won the top rookie award back-to-back.”

“Well, it’s very special,” said Young, who had a pair of third-place performances (including the PGA Championship) to go with his five runner-up showings, which included a solo second at the Open Championship. Young finished 18th in the final FedExCup standings.

“I know the namesake Arnold Palmer obviously was a giant in the game of golf and we have him to thank for a lot of what we do today, what the PGA TOUR is,” he said. “To be related to that in some small way is very cool. I know we had a very strong rookie class and I know it’s voted by my peers, so it’s a huge honor to be thought of in that way, just to kind of finish the year that way.”

Full piece.

4. LACC lands another U.S. Open

AP report…”Los Angeles Country Club is getting another U.S. Open before it even holds its first one, and the women will get their crack at the course on the edge of Beverly Hills.”

“The club’s North course is hosting its first U.S. Open in June. The USGA on Wednesday announced the U.S. Open will return in 2039. The U.S. Women’s Open will be held at LACC in 2032.”

Full piece.

5. LPGA’s LA Championship purse doubled to $3 million for 2023

Golfweek’s Beth Ann Nichols…“The purse at the LPGA stop at Wilshire Country Club will double in 2023 to $3 million thanks to new title and presenting sponsors. The LPGA and Outlyr have announced that the newly renamed JM Eagle LA Championship presented by Plastpro will take place April 27-30 with a field of 144 players.”

“The event’s purse is now among the largest on tour outside the majors…JM Eagle, co-founded by CEO Walter Wang, is the world’s largest plastic pipe manufacturer. Plastpro, founded by Shirley Wang, is the leading manufacturer of fiberglass entry doors. The Wangs are heavily involved in philanthropic initiatives throughout the world through their companies and the Walter and Shirley Wang Foundation.”

“We are thrilled to welcome JM Eagle and Plastpro to the LPGA Tour and our family of title and presenting sponsors,” said LPGA commissioner Mollie Marcoux Samaan.

Full piece.

6. “Are you watching this?”

Ross Kilvington for Golf Monthly…“Justin Thomas has revealed he received a phone call from Tiger Woods regarding Fred Couples and his wonderful round of 60 to win the SAS Championship on the PGA Tour Champions’.”

“Yeah, yeah, I was following a little bit and then was watching the – that Chiefs-Bills game was on and like I schedule my whole day of practice around it because I couldn’t wait to watch it,” said Thomas.”

“I think he was on 17 or 18 and Tiger called me and he’s like, Are you watching this? I’m like, Yeah, pretty good game. He’s like, No, Freddie’s 11 under and he’s playing 18.

“Last I looked he was like 9 or 10 under, he was winning by a million. No offense to Fred, love him to death, but he was going to win. I was more interested in watching the football game. So I turned it on and watched him stripe it off 18 tee, stiff an iron shot and make the putt.”

Full piece.

7. Saudi Golf Executive backtracks

8. Robert Garrigus won’t be getting a Christmas present from Billy Horschel

GolfWRX staff report…”As the bitter feud between the PGA Tour and LIV Golf shows no signs of subsiding, more names are beginning to voice their opinions on the affair that is sure to run for some time yet.”

“On the FirePit Collective’s The Grind podcast this week, PGA Tour member Robert Garrigus expressed his views, which included a wild prediction that the DP World Tour would soon be canceled while reserving special criticism for outspoken LIV critic Billy Horschel.”

…”But it was Billy Horschel who Garrigus really laid into on the podcast, calling him a “d*******g” who won’t “shut the fu*k up.”

“The d*******g Billy Horschel – he won’t shut the fu*k up and I can’t stand it. Even Rory’s taken a step back and Rahm’s taken a step back because they’ve realised it’s not a fight you can win.”

“I can’t stand guys getting on TV and interviews saying all this s**t about the LIV guys, but when they get on the driving range they ain’t going to say s**t to them. Nobody’s getting in a fight on the driving range except Grayson Murray.”

Full Piece.

9. Two aces in four holes

Cameron Jourdan for Golfweek…”Steve Marks didn’t really think about his shot into the par-3 12th. He simply grabbed his hybrid, put a tee in the ground and swung.”

“His nerves were still high. 20 minutes earlier, the 68-year-old Marks recorded the first hole-in-one of his 61-year golf career at his home course, Idlewild Country Club in Flossmoor, Illinois. He just wanted to make solid contact, still shaking from his crazy achievement only three holes prior.”

“Little did he know, his round was about to get a whole lot better.”

“Not only did he make solid contact, but Marks’ shot also went in the hole. Another ace. Two in four holes.”

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)

GolfWRX

Morning 9: Saudi Exec backtracks | Woodland, Mullinax lead | 2 aces in four holes

News

Morning 9: Saudi Exec backtracks | Woodland, Mullinax lead | 2 aces in four holes

1. 1,000+ golf courses damaged by Hurricane Ian, per NGF report