News

On Another Level – THE PLAYERS

Published

16 years ago

May 4, 2010

For the greater part of the golf year most professionals seek titles at championships conducted by various outside groups and associations. This week though, they play for a title that is simply their own. As such it holds an elevated importance, and one that is growing far beyond whatever manufactured importance the PGA Tour was ever responsible for.

The blend of an incredible purse ($9.5 million), one of the strongest fields in golf and a golf course that puts the pros playing on the edge of disaster on almost every hole is an intoxicating mixture. And golf fans will drink it in, especially in the heels of so many storylines that have come to pass in recent weeks. Young guns, veterans piling up wins, and the intrigue provided by the returning presence of the world’s #1 golfer has the golf world leaning in to see what will come to pass next.

In 2009 Henrik Stensen came to Ponte Vedra and The PLAYERS Stadium Course at TPC Sawgrass with the 2007 World Golf Championships-Accenture Match Play Championship as the only PGA Tour win on his resume. While prestigious, many wondered if that title was more of an anomaly due to the format. That all changed when he came from five strokes back in the final round to win THE PLAYERS, shooting a smooth 6-under par, 66, on Sunday.

Heading in to THE PLAYERS this year Stenson would be an unlikely choice as a potential back-to-back winner (on top of the fact that there has never been one in the 36-year tournament history). Although ranked 16^th in the Official Word Rankings he has been very average in his five PGA Tour starts this year. He best finished this year to date have been two ties for eighth on the European Tour – at the Dubai Desert Classic and the Volvo China Open.

While Stenson was just the 3^rd European-born player to win THE PLAYERS, five of the last eight championships have been won by a foreign-born player. While many will say this might play into the hands of Rory McIlroy, coming off his explosive first PGA Tour victory at The Quail Hollow Championship, in 2009 THE PLAYERS was the only one of eleven PGA Tour events in which the now 21 year-old missed the cut.

145 players fill out the field this week including 17 first-time participants. Among that grouping is a trio of players who have shown fine form of late. Spain’s Alvaro Quiros is fresh off a win at his native country’s native open championship. From the PGA Tour Rickie Fowler and Ricky Barnes should represent nicely.

For most fans it will be hard to avoid the building drama around two players – Phil Mickelson and Tiger Woods. Both have won this tournament before (Woods, 2001), (Mickelson, 2007), but each carry varying momentum coming in to the week. Mickelson is definitely sharp after a win at The Masters and a 2^nd place at Quail Hollow, while Tiger appears to be re-acquainting himself with the form that earned him his status as the #1 play in the world.

A notable story-line will be the presence of Jay and Bill Haas. They become the first father and son to compete in THE PLAYERS in the same year. The senior Haas, now 56, will be making his record 29^th appearance in the championship.

Of course, the golf course is always a big part of the story at THE PLAYERS. Most pros have a love-hate with the layout and it can serve up as much trouble as player goes looking for. Unless a player can get out front by a handful of strokes you know the final stretch of holes at 16 through 18 will be a factor. Just about any score is possible on each.

The 523-yard par five, 16^th has served up 307 eagles through the years whole Richard Zokol floundered to a 10 in 1994. There have been 6 aces on the famous 137-yard, 17^th while Bob Tway has the notoriety of making a 12 there in 2005. And as for 18, one of the toughest holes on the PGA Tour year after year – Andre Stolz served up an 11 there the same year Tway was being crushed on #17.

It’s a big week on tour. The fans know and even more importantly, the pros know it too.

How all 145 handle the pressure of bringing their game to another level is always an adventure.

An entertaining one at that.

–

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

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.

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Tour Photo Galleries

Photos from the 2026 OccuNet Classic

Published

2 days ago

Jun 9, 2026

GolfWRX Staff

With the PGA Tour across the border in Canada this week, GolfWRX Tour Photographer Greg Moore stayed stateside and headed to the OccuNet Classic presented by Amarillo National Bank in Amarillo, Texas.

It’s always interesting to see what the guys are playing on the KFT, and this week certainly hasn’t disappointed so far, with some incredible wedge stamping on display.

Check out links to all our albums below.

General Albums

2026 OccuNet Classic (KFT) – Monday #1

WITB Albums

Pullout Albums

Luke Potter’s custom Cameron putter – 2026 OccuNet Classic (KFT)

News

From the GolfWRX Classifieds: Scotty Cameron GOLO 6 with BGT Stability Tour2 2022 M Edition

Published

2 days ago

Jun 9, 2026

Will Schube

At GolfWRX, we are a community of like-minded individuals who all experience and express our enjoyment of the game in many ways.

It’s that sense of community that drives day-to-day interactions in the forums on topics that range from best driver to what marker you use to mark your ball. It even allows us to share another thing we all love – buying and selling equipment.

Currently, in our GolfWRX buy/sell/trade (BST) forum, @HuskerFlyer is sharing a Scotty Cameron GOLO with a BGT Stability Tour2 2022 M Edition shaft. While the putter is certainly enviable, the Augusta-inspired shaft is equally noteworthy.

From the listing:

Scotty Cameron Golo 6 with BGT Stability Tour2 2022 M Edition Scotty Headcover 34″ $375

To check out the full listing in our BST forum, head through the link. If you are curious about the rules to participate in the BST Forum, you can learn more here: GolfWRX BST Rules.