News

Tour Mash: Spieth’s Happy Gilmore and Paige’s pro debut

Published

10 years ago

Dec 14, 2015

Still some tournament golf to be played

A little of this, a little of that. Jason Dufner and Brandt Snedeker eked out a two-stroke victory over Harris English and Matt Kuchar at the Shark Shootout. Sadly for The Shark, his silly season event was lacking in A-List talent. At No. 13 in the Official World Golf Rankings, Zach Johnson was the highest-ranked golfer in the field.

Across the globe on the Asian Tour, the Thailand Golf Championship saw Jamie Donaldson of Wales separate from Lee Westwood (T2) and Sergio Garcia (4th) via an electric Sunday 65 for a three-stroke margin of victory. Finally, the Web.Com Tour qualifying school admitted 13 fully exempt members to its 2016 dance party. Led by medalist Adam Svensson and featuring Denny McCarthy, Ollie Schniederjans and social media trick shot artist Wesley Bryan (of the Bryan Brothers), the cream of the crop will do battle for spots on the big tour for the 2016-2017 season.

See the clubs Svensson used to win by 7 strokes!

Turning the first Paige of pro golf

Paige Spiranac, Instagram model and budding golfer-for-a-living, made her professional debut at the Omega Dubai Ladies Masters this week. It lasted 36 holes, counted 156 strokes, and was 8 strokes shy of making the cut. Meh. Was she under ~~an instascope~~, oops, a microscope? You bet. Spiranac wasn’t feeling the pro vibe in the hours leading up to her inaugural, for-cash performance, as she explained after round one:

So last night, I was like in my room, kind of locked the door and I was like, I’m not going to play tomorrow, they can’t make me. I was crying and I didn’t want to go. So I guess today was pretty good compared to how bad I thought it was going to go after last night.

Two events conspired to deflect the spotlight from the Californian and render her yawner of a coming-out a staying-in: Dame Laura Davies, the great English golfer, championed Spiranac pre-tourney, saying that she deserved “a chance” to show her game, then Shanshan Feng ran away with event by 12 strokes. Less Insta and more Practa, Paige.

Some competition for the Bryan Brothers

While the Bryan Brothers (whooops, not those Bryan Brothers, these Bryan Brothers) take the trick-shot world (and now the Web.Com Tour: see above) by storm, another golfing partnership is quietly assembling a collection of YouTube videos and a following. Andy Proudman and Piers Ward, two blokes from England, offer the tantalizing “Challenge Tuesday,” during which they compete to ridiculous extents for your attention. Can’t decide if we prefer Junior Club Battle or Happy Gilmore Every Shot (above). How abou’chu?

Not this time, Jordan… but nice shot

Jordan Spieth seemed to be in contention for every golf tournament he entered in 2015, but as far as the Sports Illustrated Sportsman of the Year contest goes, he’s out of the running…as is everyone but a horse. And you can’t fault the voters. After all, it had been nearly 40 years since the last Triple Crown winner in American thoroughbred racing. Spieth may be the heir to a crown, but he ain’t no ~~Pharaoh~~ errr, Pharoah, despite Zach Johnson’s testimonial on his behalf. The horse currently holds 47 percent of the vote, with world series champs Kansas City Royals at 39 percent. Spieth has a respectable 3 percent of the tally.

To celebrate? He went “full Happy Gilmore” in the Grapefruit Pro-Am at Vero Beach Country Club.

Jordan Spieth went full Happy Gilmore (via @jakeowen) https://t.co/q4dU6JAj87

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) December 14, 2015

Of course, the crowd ate it up, and he was looking at the ball in the air for mighty long as if it flew 400 yards, ala Mr. Gilmore himself. Here’s another look:

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Ronald Montesano

Ronald Montesano writes for GolfWRX.com from western New York. He dabbles in coaching golf and teaching Spanish, in addition to scribbling columns on all aspects of golf, from apparel to architecture, from equipment to travel. Follow Ronald on Twitter at @buffalogolfer.

17 Comments

other paul

Dec 17, 2015 at 12:46 am

Paige didn’t play to bad for a pro debut. Give her a chance. She did a nice vid with Mark Crossfield as well. It was great stuff.

Reply Report comment
Philip

Dec 14, 2015 at 9:54 pm

From her self banter the night before it is almost as if someone twisted her arm a bit and that she really didn’t want to do it … being a golfer you would think she would jump at this, money or no money.

Reply Report comment
- Ronald Montesano
  
  Dec 15, 2015 at 5:13 am
  
  Thanks, Philip. The entire interview is here: http://www.asapsports.com/show_interview.php?id=115414
  
  Her honesty was a story that anyone could have written. She seems to have a very sincere side to her, that is often missed when we project our own ideas onto still photos on social media. I suspect that she will have a “team” around her very soon, that will eliminate some of this sincerity and move her toward standardized answers to questions. This will be sad for golf. It reminds me of the quote from Jon Stewart on “stage-managed, focus group-driven candidates” from Jon Stewart on Bernie Sanders (3 minute mark in this clip: http://www.forwardprogressives.com/jon-stewart-dismantles-the-idea-that-bernie-sanders-is-an-unelectable-kook/) on the loss of authenticity.
  
  Reply Report comment
  - Philip
    
    Dec 15, 2015 at 10:35 am
    
    For sure she accomplished A LOT considering how many of us would crumble under the spotlight. It is always easier to edge oneself into the spotlight as people notice your ability. For Paige it was a double-edge sword in that it wasn’t her golfing accomplishments that earned her a sudden chance and as such I totally understand her doubts the night before. However, she had her chance and a 77-79 (which wasn’t last place) is totally respectable considering the tournament. I find it interesting that I’ve read more comments from ladies on the tour supporting her than from a lot of non-professional golfers.
    
    Reply Report comment
  - Comp
    
    Dec 15, 2015 at 12:01 pm
    
    Nobody really cares that much about exhibitionists who really want the world to see their photos beyond what’s at the surface.
    
    Reply Report comment
Ronald Montesano

Dec 14, 2015 at 6:24 pm

UPDATE: The online poll for SI Sportsperson of the year was an aside. The horse didn’t win; Serena Williams was selected as Sportsperson of the year, FYI.

Reply Report comment
Sprcoop

Dec 14, 2015 at 1:03 pm

I don’t care if it is Jordan Spieth (who I admire greatly) anybody in a 180 degree radius in FRONT of that tee has got a screw loose. Takin’ a chance on getting beaned high velocity.

Reply Report comment
- Ronald Montesano
  
  Dec 14, 2015 at 4:02 pm
  
  Good point. Have you ever heard the Jack Lemon “John, you’ve got the guts of a burglar” story about John Daly? They think they can’t miss.
  
  Reply Report comment

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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.