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Day 3 of the WGC-Accenture: Wilson over Johnson, Bae survives Senden, Kuchar knocks out Kaymer

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By Seth Kerr

GolfWRX Staff Writer

Round 3 of the World Golf Championship-Accenture Match Play Championship was all about finding a way to move on to the quarterfinals. Most of today’s winners won with relative ease, with only Sang-Moon Bae needing to halve the final hole for victory over John Senden 1-up.

The rest of the matches were decided much earlier with the most lopsided being Peter Hanson’s 5-and-3 win over Brandt Snedeker and Mark Wilson’s 5-and-3 victory over Dustin Johnson.

In a striking contrast, Wilson gets the most out of his body and his game, while Johnson continues to leave fans and golf experts wondering when he will turn the corner. You don’t have to be much of a golf fan to realize Dustin Johnson has all the physical attributes in the world, while Wilson looks like the average guy.

Most of us watch Johnson and wish we could hit it like him while we should be learning from Wilson, whose average-to-below-average length puts him at a disadvantage on Tour.

“I know people keep talking about how I hit it so short that I can’t compete,” said Wilson. “First of all, I don’t hit it very short and secondly, it all comes down to putting. It really does. So I just don’t know how many times I have to explain it.”

With all respect to Wilson, he is 159th in driving distance (tied with Steve Stricker), averaging just 280-yards off the tee compared to Johnson’s 306-yards. Where Johnson hits a pitching wedge, Wilson is hitting eight or even seven iron. If this were any other sport, Wilson wouldn’t have a shot, but this is golf.

Against Johnson, Wilson showed most of what matters in golf is what happens on the greens and a steady putter will trump 300-yard drives. In losing to Wilson for the second year in a row, Johnson hit just three of 12 fairways and missed more than half of the greens in regulation.

Matt Kuchar played a bogey-free front nine to take a two hole lead to the back against last year’s finalist, Martin Kaymer. Kuchar then birdied Nos. 10 and 11 to take a 4-up lead and put the match to bed.

Hunter Mahan birdied four straight holes on the back nine to thrash Steve Stricker 4 and 3. Mahan had an incredible nine birdies in the shortened round and never allowed Stricker to get anything going. Mahan jarred a putt from more than 55 feet for a birdie on No. 12, causing Stricker to pick up the ball from the hole and, in jest, throw it in the stands for a souvenir.

Lee Westwood took some revenge over Nick Watney, who had knocked out Westwood the previous two years. Westwood made seven birdies to win 3 and 2 and never trailed in the matching, pushing his streak to 49 straight holes without being behind.

In the understated manner the English are known for Westwood said, “I made a lot of birdies today and didn’t let Nick get into the match.”

Westwood will face long hitter, Martin Laird who finished off Scottish countryman Paul Lawrie, 3 and 1.

While the prognosticators are looking forward to a semifinal match up between Westwood and McIlroy in battle for No. 1, McIlroy better not look past Sung-Moon Bae. Bae, a rookie on tour this year, is no stranger to facing down McIlroy and winning after coming from behind in the 2009 Korea Open to beat McIlroy. Bae has played solid golf in all three matches and already beat one of Europe’s top match play players, Ian Poulter.

The Golf Channel will have coverage of Saturday’s matches from 12-2 p.m. EST. Coverage then shifts to NBC from 2-6 p.m. EST.

Seth is an avid golfer playing year round in Florida.

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Most birdies without breaking par – GolfWRXers discuss

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In our forums, one user is wondering how many birdies other players have had in a round while still failing to break par. @Lalan45, unfortunately, asked the question after a unique experience of their own.

They wrote:

“Today I managed 8 birdies but still shot even par, could have been a round to remember! What’s the most birdies you’ve made in a round and still didn’t break par?”

Our members in the forum shared their own experiences with successful rounds that still resulted in a score over par. Here are a few posts from the thread, but make sure to check out the entire discussion and have your say at the link below.

  • kwcsports: “I’ve had 5 a few times, still shot 80+ haha.”
  • jda: “I played a course for the first time, had 8 birdies, 9 doubles and an eagle. The infamous no-par round. I kept the scorecard. Every shot had a creek that I did not know about, or I was within 8-10 feet for a birdie look. To this day, I have no idea if I should be really jacked up or mad about that performance.”
  • jvincent: “I think my record is either 5 or 6. Probably shot 75.”
  • Instron4204: “3 birdies and shot a 92…man I suck!”

Entire Thread: “Most Birdies Without Breaking Par.”

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Best current stock shaft 2026 – GolfWRXers discuss

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In our forums, one user is asking for thoughts on the best stock shafts offered in 2026. Stock shafts are the shafts included with a club when it’s purchased from retailers or OEMs.

@DTorres asked:

The last couple years has seen a lot of updates and additions to no upcharge stock shafts, which do you think is the best offering in 2026?

Im a bit of a shaft nerd and recently during my Members Testing with the Callaway Quantum Triple Diamond I found the updated Project X Denali Frost Black to be a fantastic stock shaft. I absolutely did not mesh well with the original Denali. Just curious what other people think are the current best Stock shaft offerings out with new models and stock Ventus options and LinQ options popping up here and there.

We were given the option for any stock shafts for our members review. I went with the 70g Black Frost 6.5 because it’s a shaft I don’t have, it’s an updated version of the original Denali and hear little about. I typically use a Diamana WB, GD VF or a HOF Raptor. I’m not saying it was neck and neck with any of those but it was a pleasant surprise I’m not accustomed to in stock shaft offerings.

Our members in the forum have been offering up their own thoughts on the best stock shafts available in 2026. Here are a few posts from the thread, but make sure to check out the entire discussion and have your say at the link below.

  • rsballer10: “IMO – MCA Ka’ili White Darkwave, Tensei 1k Black/white, UST Lin-Q White. People are free to spend their money however they see fit, but for me personally the shaft catalogs these days have enough options that I don’t see the value of a $400 upcharge. I have never had a problem finding a no upcharge shaft that fits the bend profile and weight that I need. Whether the paint job is good enough or not is above my pay scale.”
  • bcflyguy1: “Project X Titan Black. I’ve had one in 60TX in my Quantum TD Max for several weeks now. Have to give Titlieist their flowers for finding a way to make it available as a featured option; very shrewd bit of business and one that I suspect will be duplicated by the other companies. TT/PX have a certified banger on their hands with Titan.”
  • CTG77: “Undoubtedly, it’s the Tensei 1K RIP shafts from Titleist. The Tensei line gives about 98% of the performance of a Ventus VeloCore+ shaft at a tiny fraction of the cost if you’re looking for a blue or red profile. The white is not an exact match for Ventus Black, but it’s closer to it than the non-VeloCore+ Ventus shafts that come from Callaway or formerly came from TaylorMade.”

Entire Thread: “Best current stock shaft 2026.”

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GolfWRX’s Father’s Day Gift Guide (2026)

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A reminder from your friends at GolfWRX: Father’s Day is June 21. And as we do every year, we’re rounding up the best gifts for dad.

As we say every year, there’s no better golf-related Father’s Day gift than a round of golf with pops. Be it a country club or your favorite muni, take the time to get together to play 18 if you can.

Let’s get to the gifts.

Ghost Golf Qualifier Diamond Polo

We like the new polos that Ghost is offering, as the fabric and fit are so good. These new Qualifier Collection polos breathe well, are lightweight, stretch with your swing, and of course look great. You can wear them on the course, in the office, or just out at a casual event and they will fit right in.

Buy here.

STR8-Strip Grip Tape Remover

If your dad is an equipment aficionado and tinkers with his clubs, this tool works wonders. Removing grip tape has never been easier, just put a little head on the tape and the STR8-Strip peals it right off the shaft without any damage.

Buy here.

Why Golf: Putting Thing

When it comes to practice, it is good to have a purpose. This “Putting Thing” sure does it. We know from personal experience how challenging it can be and how rewarding it is on the practice green. This also provides some competition for your kiddo to see who will unload the dishwasher or do the next chore around the house.

Buy here.

OluKai Lae‘ahi Men’s Breathable Slip-On Shoes

Riding to and from the course in style and comfort is always a good thing. If you’re in a hurry, it’s a nice feature to slide into your shoes and get to the tee time. For the post-game shoe, at your locker or while putting your clubs away in the car. Nice to slide into a shoe that looks good anywhere. Pair that with meeting the family for dinner, no need to change!

Buy here.

Therabody Theragun Relief

A little wellness goes a long way. Keeping loose is a good way to go when it comes to the weekend game or treatment during the week. If there is a little ache or pain, the Theragun is there to help out. Help loosen up the back for a pre-game warm-up or cool-down. 

Buy here.

World Cup golf apparel

Something for the soccer dads. Embrace the World Cup fever this summer on the course with custom gear to support the nation of your choice.

Buy here.

FootJoy Pro SL spikeless golf shoes

Give the old man a break and save his feet with the Footjoy Pro SL Men’s Spikeless Golf Shoes for some added comfort on the course.

Buy here.

Bushnell Wingman 2 GPS speaker

Combine all the hits as well as some game improvement with the Wingman 2 Golf GPS Speaker by getting audible distance readings from 38,000+ courses worldwide through the Wingman 2 remote or speaker.

Buy here.

Personalized Titleist Pro V1 golf balls

The No. 1 ball in golf is a safe bet, and the Pro V1 fits the largest chunk of the bell curve if you don’t know what ball pops plays. Add personalization for a, well, personal touch!

Buy here.

 

  • GolfWRX may earn a commission for purchases made through links on this page, at no extra cost to you.

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