News

Johnson Goes The (Full) Distance

Published

16 years ago

Feb 14, 2010

In 2009 Dustin Johnson won the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am in a rain-shortened 54 holes but he proved today that he could win the event over the full duration.

The 25-year old captured his third PGA Tour victory by with a slim one-stroke margin thanks to a timely birdie on the final hole, the famous par-five closer at Pebble Beach Golf Links. It took him 74 strokes of varying quality to finish up the tournament on Sunday but nothing mattered more than avoiding that 75^th stroke for Dustin Johnson.

With J.B. Holmes, and most notably, David Duval, all finished up ahead of him at -15, Johnson required a birdie or better on the 543-yard final stanza. Facing soft turf conditions and a wind blowing almost straight into him he still managed to drive the ball past the signature fairway tree, leaving him just 235 yard to the hole on the par 5. From there he struck a bombed 3-iron into the front bunker where an exquisite extraction left him the 42-inch birdie putt he would convert for the win.

With his 270 total (64,68,64,74) Johnson (photo – Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) earned $1,116,000. The Myrtle Beach, South Carolina native also leaped to the lead in the FedEx Cup standings.

Having started the day tied for the lead with Paul Goydos at an impressive 18 under par, many suspected that the pair would be closely bunched in the final holes today but the famed Pebble Beach Golf Links had something to say about that. Their four stroke lead over the field evaporated quickly. Course conditions were tough and the small, undulating greens that require precise approach shots did not see very many on Sunday. Within the top ten finishers just three broke 70 in the final round.

It appeared early on that the plodding style of 18-year tour veteran Goydos might be the winning formula through the first half of the round. Despite being out driven by up to 50 yards or more ,in typical fashion Goydos found fairway after fairway on the front nine and stayed relatively mistake free. After Johnson made a sloppy double bogey on the difficult ninth hole Goydos was one clear of the field.

Then the back nine arrived.

Goydos looked anything but a veteran as he started the back nine at Pebble Beach. Bogeys on the 11^th and 12^th holes with a follow up birdie on 13 were simply a prelude to something that could only be described as a disaster.

Goydos and Johnson could be overhead discussing the strategy of playing the 573-yard, 14^th hole, as they waited for Bryce Molder to make a quadruple bogey nine on the hole ahead of them. Goydos talked of the possibility to make a “big number” and he fulfilled that prophecy as he slapped the ball around the green on the way to a nine of his own. It lead to his back nine 42, a 78 total, and his removal from the possible win scenario.

In the meantime Johnson did not let the glitch on #9 affect him and took advantage of his power (he ranked #1 in driving distance for the week) to manage his way around the golf course. He did stumble on 12 and 17 with bogeys, eventually putting him in the tie for the lead as he stood on the 18^th.

“During the rounds today I never felt like I was making any mistakes, but, you know, just nothing seemed to be going my way,” explained Johnson after the win. “Hitting two good shots on 18, I pushed my second shot a little bit, but it was in the front right bunker, which me and my caddie talked about, and it wasn't gonna be a bad spot to be. Got up-and-down to get the victory. Can't beat that.”

Even after making the mistake on #17 Johnson said he still had resolve on the final hole as he knew what he had to do to finish with a win. “You know, all you can ask for is a chance to win it on the last hole. I was in position. Obviously I wasn't playing the way I wanted to play today, but I was still right there. So, you know, nothing I had done all day mattered until — the only thing that mattered was that hole.”

Johnson said that even though he went the full distance for this year’s victory he does not rank it as better than last years. “Even though it was shortened last year, it's still a win and I still played great.”

While many fans were rooting on Johnson to take the back-to-back victories and join an elite group that have done so at Pebble Beach, there were plenty of golf fans following the David Duval story.

Duval, the former #1 player in the world was on the radar throughout the back nine today with his only blemish on the inward holes being a bogey on #14. A timely birdie on #17 gave him a great opportunity to push to the very top of the leader board on the last but a par left him waiting on the green for the possibility of extra hole. J.B. Holmes also made a par on 18 to put him in the same position. Johnson’s final stroke eclipsed all that.

Even so, Duval was content with his play. “I'm just pleased to get out of my golf game over the course of four days again what I feel like I should be getting out of it. I feel very comfortable and very confident in what I'm doing. And, you know, also, in a kind of strange way, it makes me proud. I feel like I kind of have given the folks who have given me starts this year good firepower for why they did it. That makes me feel good, too.”

Duval can take that great feeling to Mexico this coming week where he will play in MayaKoba Classic, the opposite field event to the Accenture Match Play.

With the February visit to Pebble Beach in the books some players can now look forward to seeing the golf course again this summer at the United States Open Championship. Dustin Johnson will be looking ahead to that major with great interest but he knows what he will face in June will be a different test than the one he has conquered in consecutive years. “It's gonna play different. Hopefully it'll be firm and fast. The rough's gonna be three times as long as it is right now knowing the USGA. So it's gonna play very difficult…”

Notes:

-Dustin Johnson, a TaylorMade staff player, uses a 60 degree Cleveland Classic wedge and a Scotty Cameron Prototype putter.

-Johnson used the TaylorMade 5-piece Penta ball for the win.

—

This report provided to GolfWRX.com by Flagstick Golf Magazine (www.flagstick.com)

News

Most birdies without breaking par – GolfWRXers discuss

Published

6 mins ago

Jun 11, 2026

Will Schube

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.”

News

Best current stock shaft 2026 – GolfWRXers discuss

Published

36 mins ago

Jun 11, 2026

Will Schube

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.”

News

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

Published

2 days ago

Jun 9, 2026

GolfWRX Staff

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.