News

Morning 9: Ryder Cup team manager named | The value of Team Korda

Published

1 year ago

May 30, 2024

Ben Alberstadt

By Ben Alberstadt with Gianni Magliocco.

For comments: ben.alberstadt@golfwrx.com

Good Thursday morning, golf fans, as day one of the Canadian Open and U.S. Women’s Open gets underway.

1. Charges against Scheffler dropped

GolfWRX staff…“Based upon the totality of the evidence, my office cannot move forward in the prosecution of the charges filed against Mr. Scheffler.”

“So began Jefferson County Attorney Mike O’Connell, Wednesday, telling a judge that “Mr. Scheffler’s characterization that this was ‘a big misunderstanding’ is corroborated by the evidence.”

“Accordingly, all charges against the 27-year-old have been dropped. Scheffler was facing four charges, most seriously, second degree assault on a police offer, in conjunction with his May 17 failure to stop when directed to by Detective Bryan Gillis as he attempted to enter Valhalla Golf Club prior to the second round.”

“O’Connell’s reference to “a big misunderstanding” alludes to Scheffler’s statement during the PGA Championship.”

“It was a very chaotic situation, understandably so considering the tragic accident that had occurred earlier, and there was a big misunderstanding of what I thought I was being asked to do,” Scheffler’s statement read.

Full piece.

2. Police: Murray’s body found at his Palm Beach Gardens home

Tom D’Angelo for the Palm Beach Post…”PGA Tour golfer Grayson Murray returned to his residence in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, last weekend before dying by suicide, according to Palm Beach Gardens police.”

“Murray’s body was discovered Saturday at approximately 11 a.m. inside a residence in Palm Beach Gardens, according to police, who continue to investigate the incident.”

“…The statement said the initial inquiry “does not reveal signs of foul play” and there is no apparent risk to the public. The police added no further information will be released as the investigation is being conducted.”

Full piece.

3. Wood named Ryder Cup team manager

AP report…”John Wood has been to nine Ryder Cups as a caddie, a team assistant and an on-course reporter for NBC. Now he’s headed to Bethpage Black next year in a new role as team manager for the U.S. Ryder Cup team.”

“The PGA Ryder Cup Committee selected Wood for this new position, saying he would consult with the captain, assistants, players and the PGA of America management on strategy and operational issues.”

Full piece.

4. McIlroy’s regret

Golf Channel’s Rex Hoggard…”Prior to last year’s RBC Canadian Open, Rory McIlroy acknowledged feeling like a “sacrificial lamb” in the wake of the PGA Tour’s framework agreement with Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, and the 12 months since have only solidified the world No. 3’s resolve on the topic.”

“In hindsight, I wish I hadn’t have gotten as deeply involved in it,” McIlroy said Wednesday at Hamilton Golf & Country Club. “I hold no grudge, I hold no resentment over the guys that chose to go and play on LIV. Everyone’s got their own decisions to make, and everyone has the right to make those decisions.”

“Prior to the framework agreement, which opened the door to negotiations between the Tour and PIF that could reunite the game, McIlroy had been an outspoken critic of LIV Golf and the disruption caused by the Saudi-backed league, but that criticism has been replaced by calls for a deal with the PIF.”

Full piece.

5. The importance of Team Korda

Amy Rogers for Golf Channel…”Korda, 25, is amid one of the hottest seasons in tour history, already a six-time winner on the LPGA and owner of the first major title of the year. Asked often what has been her key to success, Korda has credited her ability to remain within her “bubble,” her inner-circle of supporters that includes her caddie, physiotherapist and family.”

“And her coaches.”

“Jamie Mulligan and his assistant, Brett Lederer, have been on-site at nearly every event this season, Korda noted on Tuesday, and have been on property for each of her six victories. It’s influenced Korda’s ability to troubleshoot more often – and more quickly – than in the past.”

“The only week that I haven’t had someone out was during Cognizant, and I just didn’t really hit it that well that week,” Korda said about the Founders Cup, where her five-event winning streak ended in a T-7. “So, making sure that my team is taking time for me as well and coming out and making sure that we’re all dedicated to each other has kind of really been the thing that has changed this year.”

Full piece.

6. Scott looking to keep major streak alive

Mike Hall for Golf Monthly…”Just 10 days before the first round of the third Major of the year, the US Open, players yet to earn a spot at the Pinehurst No.2 event have a last-ditch opportunity in final qualifying.”

“In total, 10 courses will host the 36-hole events next Monday on an occasion dubbed “golf’s longest day.”

“Arguably the highest-profile star competing will be 2013 Masters champion Adam Scott. The former World No.1, who also finished T4 at the 2015 US Open, has played in 91 successive Majors stretching back to the 2001 Open – the longest active streak in the men’s game – and is looking to continue that as it edges closer to 100.”

Full piece.

7. Kim wants Nelly to receive PGA Tour exemption

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)