News

Five Things we Learned: Thursday at the Masters

Published

5 months ago

Apr 11, 2025

After a dalliance with sweater weather to begin play on Thursday, Augusta National Golf Club settled into a more comfortable and familiar climate. As the day progressed, quarter-zips came off and short sleeves became the apparel of choice. A number of golfers jumped up early, to 3 and 4 under par, but were unable to sustain the momentum. They eventually dropped back, as the favorites joined the chase. The lead after 18 holes was 7 under par, and was followed a bit away, by a trio of golfers at minus 4. The game is barely afoot, but there are five things worth mentioning. It is our pleasure to bring the five things that we learned to you, on this Thursday of Masters 2025.

Bryson DeChambeau moves into a tie for second. #themasters pic.twitter.com/n082h1YWPy

— The Masters (@TheMasters) April 10, 2025

Five: Augusta respects the wizened

How else to explain the success that seasoned citizens have at Berckman’s Place? Bernhard Langer was 1 under par for much of the day, before sliding a bit, to plus 2 74. Fred Couples, a bit younger than Bernhard, posted 71 on the day, highlighted by a holed hybrid for eagle two at the dangerous 14th hole. Couples benefitted from a hot putter, using it to save bogey at 13 and par at 16, and make a few more along the way.

In His Words: “I hit most of the fairways and drove it well. Got a little windy and chipped a little bit better than I normally do around here. I hit two really, really good shots on 1. I don’t know if anyone saw it. Flew right by the hole and trickled and trickled down the embankment down where you don’t want to ever be left. And I holed it. Putted it up in into the hole for birdie.”

Into the hole from 191 yards. Fred Couples eagles No. 14! #themasters pic.twitter.com/5KD2bMUKv6

— The Masters (@TheMasters) April 10, 2025

Four: Conners wants more than low Canadian

There’s always one golfer who doesn’t get social media love, despite playing his heart out. That golfer this year is Corey Conners, pride of Listowel, Ontario, Canada. Conners has three top-10 finishes in Georgia, tying for 10th, 8th, and 6th in consecutive playings. Conners posted five birdies against a solitary bogey. He stumbled at the massive fifth hole, perhaps the most daunting par 4 and green on the golf course. Two holes later, perhaps with momentum on the line, he holed from a greenside bunker to save par. We’re not saying that Conners will win, but we are saying that he should be in contention come Sunday.

In His Words: “I was a little bit sloppy on 5, making a bogey. Again, a little bit sloppy on 7, left it in the bunker on my third shot. To see that go in, that was great. I was trying hard to get it up-and-down the second time, and it went in. That was a nice bonus and definitely a momentum builder.”

Three: Oh, Baby! Aberg back at it

Ludvig Aberg played the sort of round that lends credence to the notion that he is built to play this course well. Playing it well and winning, well, they are distant kinfolk. Think back to the Lehmans, the Normans, who played this course well, year in and out, but never put on the jacket. If Aberg keeps doing the things that he has thus far, he’ll have a chance to add to his wardrobe. Like Conners, Aberg had five birdies against one bogey. His slip-up came at the short fourth, a daunting par three down a hill. Aberg closed with a massive drive, straight and true, and a dagger of an iron to gimme range. Despite just five competitive rounds at the course, Aberg already reveals an understanding that you take what it will give, nothing more.

In His Words: “It was sneaky hard. There isn’t a ton of wind, but it still swirls. There’s a few greens that gets a little crusty towards the end of the afternoon, and you really have to place your second shots if you’re good off the tee. It makes it tricky when the wind kind of goes back in your face and then down.,,But 15 was a great example where we could have hit 6 but hit a little chippy 5 to make sure it would cover and take that chip from the back, but overall, pleased.”

A chip-in three on No. 3. Ludvig Åberg reaches red numbers. #themasters pic.twitter.com/Ym8ZIhvWQA

— The Masters (@TheMasters) April 10, 2025

Two: King Scottie is back for more

He is the defending champion. He is in possession of two coveted jackets. He has a caddie built to win at Augusta, with four champions flags to his credit. Scottie Scheffler has everything going his way, so what could impede his march to a third title? We have no idea. Scheffler quietly, patiently, surgically added up 68 shots on Thursday, thanks to four birdies and fourteen pars. He made zero scorecard mistakes and seemed quite happy with his performance. Ecstatic? No. Ebulient? No. Satisfied? Yes.

In His Words: “I had a feeling the golf course was going to get pretty firm. The areas to hit your irons out here are pretty small and they get even smaller when the greens are firm, so there’s definitely some challenge to the golf course today, and I’m sure that’ll continue as the week goes on.”

From 40 feet away! Scottie Scheffler makes birdie on No. 16. #themasters pic.twitter.com/2e2NeEhUdc

— The Masters (@TheMasters) April 10, 2025

One: Rose rises

No one really saw this coming. We imagined that Justin Rose’s best chance at a green jacket slipped away in 2017. His playoff loss to a fortunate Sergio Garcia portended additional opportunities for the Englishman, but they never came. Last season, Rose tied for second at The Open, so perhaps he has a second major in the offing. The Englishman has 19 top-ten finishes in the four majors, in addition to his seminal 2013 U.S. Open title. His recent history at Augusta National is not stellar, but his is the sort of mind and game that allow for a breakthrough at any moment.

In His Words: “So for the first few holes everything was going exactly where I was looking, and certainly the first hole, which is definitely one of the trickier holes on the golf course, to knock in a nice 25-footer down the hill right-to-left, exactly what you need to settle yourself into the Masters, and then 2 and 3 are birdie opportunities.

“So to be 3-under through 3 kind of really got me on the front foot and felt like I was playing great golf. When I did find myself into in a little bit of trouble, especially early, No. 5, holed a great putt for par. And middle of the back nine I felt like there were a couple moments where the momentum could have changed. But really good up-and-downs on 14 and 15 to keep the round really hot.

“Obviously the only blemish on 18, but there’s no point dwelling on that.”

Patient decisions and accurate execution lead to a birdie on No. 15 for leader Justin Rose. #themasters pic.twitter.com/53oUsPioYe

— The Masters (@TheMasters) April 10, 2025

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)