News

GolfWRX Morning 9: No Ryder Cup pick surprises | Thoughts on No. 12 | Bryson’s “air” problem?

Published

8 years ago

Sep 5, 2018

Ben Alberstadt

By Ben Alberstadt ([email protected])

September 5, 2018

Good Wednesday morning, golf fans.

1 The captain’s picks you expected

No drama in the first three-fourths of Jim Furyk’s captain’s picks for the Ryder Cup. Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson, and Bryson DeChambeau are the selections.

Golf Digest’s John Strege…”Captain Jim Furyk made it official in a drama-free televised news conference in Philadelphia in advance of the BMW Championship at Aronimink Golf Club in nearby Newtown Square.”

“The fourth and final captain’s pick will be made after the BMW Championship, allowing the captain to add a player with a hot hand. Even that seems to be a foregone conclusion; the consensus choice is Tony Finau, who finished second in the Northern Trust and tied for fourth in the Dell Technologies Championship.”

“Tiger and I have had this conversation,” Furyk said. “What Tiger and I have decided is he will play in this Ryder Cup and we’ll name another vice captain. He’s been instrumental in helping not only the captains before, but me as well, as far as strategy, as far as planning, as far as pairings. I’m going to continue to use that knowledge and that strategy. I also want to make sure Tiger gets very focused on that. I want to free him up.”

Tiger Woods…”At the beginning of the year, that was one of my goals, to make this team. I got the call from Jim, and he asked if I would serve as vice captain. ‘Absolutely. Anything I can do to help you out.’ Deep down I wanted to make the team. I hadn’t really started playing golf again. But still the goal was at the end of the season to make this team. As the year progressed, I kind of gained some traction. I was somehow able to get some high finishes and lo and behold I’m part of this team. It’s incredible, to look back at the start of the year … as I said, it’s beyond special.”

2. But who will be the 12th?

Rumor has it, unimpressed with the options available to him, Jim Furyk plans to pick himself as his final captain’s pick…In all seriousness though, with three of Furyk’s picks foregone conclusions now made official, attention turns to the one pick that was always going to be a wildcard.

Golf Channel’s Ryan Lavner...”Though Furyk was coy about the exact nature of those calls, he said that he talked to “at least” everyone through No. 15 on the points list. That suggests that Xander Schauffele (No. 12), Kevin Kisner (No. 14) and Finau (No. 15) are still in the running.”

“DeChambeau, Mickelson and Woods were Nos. 9-11 in the points standings, and No. 13 Matt Kuchar was named as a Ryder Cup vice captain on Tuesday.”

“I don’t know if I left it at: ‘If you do X, you’ll make the team,'” Furyk said, “but I just said, ‘This is the situation we’re in, and we’ll be watching.’

Furyk also added…”But there’s definitely a few guys that have separated themselves from the pack, for a couple of different reasons.”

If you do X? What about if your name starts with X. Hmm…Kidding. Finau has to be the pick.

3. Tiger returning to Old Reliable(/Recently not so Reliable)?

GolfWRX staff report…”Tiger Woods is going through some tough times on the greens lately… not just holing putts, but deciding between putters.”

“He played in the 2018 PGA Championship with a TaylorMade Ardmore 3 mallet putter, then he played last week with a TaylorMade Juno blade putter. Now, he’s back to testing out the Juno against the Scotty Cameron Newport 2 that he’s had in the bag for 13-of-his-14 career majors.”

“Woods was spotted today at the 2018 BMW Championship practice round at Aronimink in Pennsylvania testing out both putters side by side. So he’s at least considering going back to his old flame.”

In-hand pictures of Woods’ TaylorMade Juno.

4. Hunter Mahan’s triumph

An unbylined AP column looked at Hunter Mahan’s PGA Tour card clinching and what he’s been through his season.

“He earned $88,000, roughly the equivalent of 24th place during the FedEx Cup playoffs, and moved to No. 4 on the special money list. The top 25 get full PGA Tour cards, and with only two events remaining, Mahan clinched his card.”

“Mahan didn’t realize until that moment that he at least had made it back to the starting line. The scope of it didn’t really hit him until Monday morning, when he was home in Dallas waiting for his wife and three young children to return from a weekend trip to Cedar Lake.”

“”It’s been a crazy year,” Mahan said, his voice still cracking with emotion….He had taken a few minutes away from the phone when he first started to cry. He needed longer.”

“”I feel excited about golf, just moving forward,” he said. “Everything, all the work, so many people. My teacher (Chris O’Connell), my caddie (Zack Guthrie), everybody … it’s vindication for them. When I think about my family who helped me get through this year and the years before, it feels like a lot.”

More on Mahan’s trying year.

5. New Mizuno drivers cometh?

The USGA Conforming Clubs list is always, always full of surprises. As of September 1, three new Mizuno Prototype drivers appear on the list.

Unfortunately, this could be a future Japan-only release, rather than made for the U.S. market. Tour Spec Golf, a company devoted to high-end JDM golf gear, has “in-hand” (on ground) photos on its Instagram account. While that doesn’t necessarily mean it’ll be Japan only, it just might be best not to get your hopes up.

See all three.

6. Perez, Kerr welcome children (but not together)

Double P withdrew from the third round of the Dell Technologies Championship due to the impending birth of his first child with wife Ashley. The pair welcomed Piper Perez to the world Monday afternoon.

Also on the offspring front, Cristie Kerr and her husband welcomed their second child. Beth Ann Nichols of Golfweek writes…”Baby news is all the rage on the LPGA, and Cristie Kerr and Erik Stevens added to the fun when they came home with Griffin Stevens over the Labor Day weekend. The bundle of joy, genetically theirs, was born Aug. 28 via a surrogate mother through in vitro fertilization. Griffin Stevens is the couple’s second son via a surrogate. Mason Kerr Stevens was born on Dec. 8, 2013.”

Congrats to all!

7. Rickie’s ready

Rickie Fowler is close to 100 percent and ready to go after sitting on the shelf for the past three weeks nursing a partially torn oblique.

“It wasn’t planned to miss, but it could end up being a good thing with the stretch we have coming up,” Fowler said. “So glad to be back. Nice to be back without pain.”

From an AP report...”Fowler said he spent the last three weeks at home in Florida using ice, heat, pain medication and a laser machine. He has a friend who is a spinal neurosurgeon, and Fowler says he used a laser machine two or three times a day.”

A laser machine!

8. Men’s quarters, women’s semis set at WLD

Per Golf Channel…“The men’s Open Division was whittled down to eight, while four women remain at the Volvik World Long Drive Championship….Sixteen men battled on Tuesday night for a spot in the quarterfinals at WinStar Resort and Casino in Thackerville, Okla., where an inch-and-a-half of overnight rain created a very slow grid [460 yards long, 50 yards wide], putting a premium on carry distance.”

See the full match breakdown and who’s in, here.

9. Bryson’s air problem?

Geoff Shackelford, no fan of the #LiveUnderPar campaign/onslaught, spotted this yesterday…”Apparently, Bryson DeChambeau has a complicated relationship with the air he breathes.”

“The PGA Tour posted an incorrectly transcribed quote with the word air supplementing “error” in sharing a Bryson DeChambeau quote following Monday’s Dell Technologies win. Perhaps this was a subtle message from social media workers tired of living under water–where I hear air is limited–but multiple sources have confirmed to this website that Bryson said the word error, was understood by most who were listening to be using the word error, and has no known sensitivities to oxygen, clearing the way for him to be a Captain’s pick on the 2018 Ryder Cup team.”

News

Most birdies without breaking par – GolfWRXers discuss

Published

20 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

49 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.