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Morning 9: LIV exec out | Phil on Tiger’s new role | Wyndham photos

Published

2 years ago

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By Ben Alberstadt with Gianni Magliocco.

For comments: ben.alberstadt@golfwrx.com

Good Thursday morning, golf fans, as day one of the Wyndham Championship gets underway.

1. JT: Tiger takes the future of the PGA Tour very seriously

Golf Channel’s Brentley Romine…”Thomas, a close friend of Woods, was among the many top players who joined Woods in co-signing a letter sent to Monahan requesting that Woods be named to the board and the Tour’s governance structure be immediately reviewed. Thomas, unsurprisingly, voiced his support of the move.”

  • “I’m obviously excited to have Tiger on behalf of the players,” Thomas said. “I mean, I know that he takes it very seriously. I think he’s spoken to it some, but obviously his relationship with Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus and what they did to basically create the PGA Tour, kind of what it is now. Then we’ve been dealt with some roadblocks, if you will, or just some difficult circumstances. I think he takes it seriously that he is going to be a part of paving the way for the future and the current, I guess, I don’t know if you want to call it structure or whatever of the PGA Tour.”
  • “He takes the future of the PGA Tour very seriously and he wants it to be in the best hands possible and it to be in the best position possible. I think it would be very easy for someone like him, all he’s done, just kind of like what do I need to do, I’ve made the Tour what it is, where it’s at financially, all the sponsors, TV deals whatever, and it would be pretty easy for him to just hide under a rock the rest of his life and be just fine. But that’s not who he is, he wants to continue to see the PGA Tour grow and succeed.”
Full piece.

2. Phil on Tiger joining the Policy Board

Our Matt Vincenzi…”On Tuesday, the PGA Tour released a statement saying they’ve agreed with their players on “new governance and transparency measures”. They also revealed that Tiger Woods will be added as a policy board member.”

  • “Phil Mickelson, who’s been critical of PGA Tour leadership, weighed in on the move.”
  • “This is great to see. Players having equal representation on the board, Tiger getting more involved, and accountability across the board. Awesome news.”
Full piece.

3. Participation surge continues

Via Golf Business News…”The R&A today announced new global participation figures that show an additional ten million adult golfers are playing the sport worldwide since 2016.”

  • “According to new research undertaken by the governing body, there are now 39.6 million on-course golfers (9 and 18 hole) in R&A affiliated markets.”
  • “The research figures indicate that the growth trend began before the onset of Covid-19 and continued during the pandemic – up 34% from 29.6 million on-course golfers in 2016. The sport has since continued to increase in popularity post-pandemic, up 15% from 34.5 million on-course players in 2020.”
Full piece.

4. Major winners on the outside looking in

AFP report…”Former world number one Justin Thomas is just one of the former major champions making a last-ditch bid at the Wyndham Championship this week to turn around a disappointing season.”

  • “Australia’s 2013 Masters champion Adam Scott and 2019 Open Champion Shane Lowry of Ireland are also teeing it up at Sedgefield Country Club in Greensboro, North Carolina, vying to qualify for the US PGA Tour’s FedEx Cup playoffs in the final regular-season event.”
  • “Thomas, who won the PGA Championship in 2017 and 2022, has missed six cuts this year, including five in his past seven tournaments.”
  • “He missed the cut at three major championships this season and is ranked 79th in the playoff standings, with only the top 70 at the end of this week advancing to the tour’s season-ending series.”
Full piece.

5. LIV exec out

SI’s Bob Harig…”Ron Cross, an executive in charge of securing venues and helping run tournaments for the LIV Golf League, has been abruptly removed from his position.”

  • “Both Cross and LIV Golf confirmed that the former PGA Tour and Augusta National executive is no longer in his role at as Chief Events Officer.”
Full piece.

6. Scott: #1 wasn’t a possibility

Mike Hall for Golf Monthly…”Scott, who will play in this week’s Wyndham Championship at Sedgefield Country Club, said: “It’s a big moment, for sure, to know that you are the best player in the world. It’s childhood dreams come true. They were my dreams as a kid, watching Norman be No.1 and wanting to aspire to that myself.”

  • “However, by the time Scott had made his first appearance in the world’s top 10, in 2004, Tiger Woods was firmly established as the standout player of the era, and his dominance is something Scott feels could have scuppered his chances of reaching the top.”
  • “He continued: “The reality of turning pro a couple years after Tiger Woods really felt like for a decade that dream was gone and not even possible. You know, timing ended up working out for me and I played my best golf a little later into my career and managed to find myself at No.1.”
Full piece.

7. USGA staffer wins NJ state golf championship

Greg Mattura for North Jersey Record…”Brent Paladino expects to be razzed by his co-workers when he returns to his job at the United States Golf Association.”

  • “I’ll be getting a few texts to bring in [food],” Paladino said, “and being asked where I’ve been the last few days.”
  • He spent three days winning the 103rd New Jersey Open Golf Championship, rallying during the recent final round to capture the title by one shot at steamy Hackensack Golf Club.
Full piece.

8. Olazabal to be vice-captain

Cameron Jourdan for Golfweek…”Luke Donald has turned to one of the most experienced European Ryder Cuppers for his latest vice captain pick.”

  • “Jose Maria Olazabal was announced Wednesday as Donald’s fourth vice captain for the 2023 Ryder Cup at Marco Simone in Rome, Italy. The competition is set for Sept. 26-Oct. 1.”
  • “The 57-year-old Spaniard represented Europe on seven occasions from 1987 to 2006. He has also been a vice captain three times in 2008, 2010 and 2014. Olazabal also was the captain for the incredible European comeback at Medinah in 2012.”
Full Piece.

9. Photos from the Wyndham Championship

Check out all of our galleries here!
Full Piece.

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Ben Alberstadt is the Editor-in-Chief at GolfWRX, where he’s led editorial direction and gear coverage since 2018. He first joined the site as a freelance writer in 2012 after years spent working in pro shops and bag rooms at both public and private golf courses, experiences that laid the foundation for his deep knowledge of equipment and all facets of this maddening game. Based in Philadelphia, Ben’s byline has also appeared on PGATour.com, Bleacher Report...and across numerous PGA DFS and fantasy golf platforms. Off the course, Ben is a committed cat rescuer and, of course, a passionate Philadelphia sports fan. Follow him on Instagram @benalberstadt.

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Tour Rundown: Bend, but don’t break

Published

3 weeks ago

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Aug 4, 2025

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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.

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Tour Photo Galleries

Photos from the 2025 Wyndham Championship

Published

4 weeks ago

on

Jul 29, 2025

By

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.

 

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News

BK’s Breakdowns: Kurt Kitayama’s Winning WITB, 3M Open

Published

4 weeks ago

on

Jul 28, 2025

By

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)

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WITB

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