News

Morning 9: Switch to AimPoint sees Si Woo in the lead | ANWA, ANA latest | Great golf cliches

Published

7 years ago

Apr 5, 2019

Ben Alberstadt

By Ben Alberstadt ([email protected])

April 5, 2019

Good Friday morning, golf fans.

1. Si Woo + AimPoint = first-round lead

Si Woo Kim rolled in five birdies in a six-hole stretch to pen with a 6-under 66 to lead at TPC San Antonio.

Adam Schupak, writing for PGATour.com, with an interesting note…”Kim ranked second in Strokes Gained: Putting of the 72 players in the morning wave and credited his 105+ feet of putts made to using the Aim Point system for reading greens. Kim said he first took a green-reading class in Palm Springs five years ago, but hadn’t used the AimPoint system in the past four years.”

“…he said his putter had gone cold in his previous three starts and he toyed with using AimPoint on Wednesday for the first time in years.”

“If I’m reading good,” he said of the greens, “I can putt it well.”

“Easier said than done. Using the popular system, Kim determined a numerical value for the slope of the green and held up that many fingers less than an arm’s distance in front of his face to pick the line. If he feels like the putt will break left, he measures his fingers beginning at the right edge of the hole. It worked on Thursday morning. He made four of his eight birdies from more than 10 feet, the longest a 19-footer at No. 3. Kim’s 6-under 66 led J.C. Poston by one stroke among the morning finishers.”

Full piece.

2. Spieth in the mix

Golf Channel’s Will Gray on a beleaguered young Texan turning in a solid performance in Texas.

“Spieth showed brief signs of his former self last week in Austin before failing to advance from group play. Thursday at the Valero Texas Open, he put together a solid round of 4-under 68 in what he described as “ideal scoring conditions” to move into a tie for sixth, two shots behind Si Woo Kim.”

“Spieth hit 12 of 18 greens in regulation but saved par on each of the six he missed, carding five birdies and suffering his lone dropped shot when he three-putted from over 60 feet on No. 15. The 68 marks his best stroke-play round since an opening 64 at the Genesis Open.”

Full piece.

3. ANWA shaping up to be a Kupcho, Fassi duel

Golf Channel’s Brentley Romine…”Jennifer Kupcho and Maria Fassi have crossed paths many times in their decorated golf careers. But nothing should compare to what will happen Saturday, when both players will converge at the historic Augusta National Golf Club in the final pairing of the inaugural Augusta National Women’s Amateur.”

“Kupcho, the world’s top-ranked women’s amateur, leads the ninth-ranked Fassi by one shot after shooting 5 under in two rounds around Champions Retreat Golf Club. The stage is now set for a battle between arguably the two favorites entering the week: the skilled Kupcho and the powerful Fassi, two players who figure to separate themselves even more on a difficult Alister Mackenzie design that has crowned the Masters champion since 1934.”

Full piece.

4. Lexi stirring?

Golf Channel’s Randall Mell on Lexi Thompson bomb-and-gouging her way around Mission Hills…

“Lexi Thompson hit just half her fairways in Thursday’s start of the ANA Inspiration…She missed seven greens.”

“Forget those numbers….She opened with a 69. That’s the number that counts. A round of 3-under par gave her a share of the lead through the morning wave.”

“Welcome back to Lexi’s playground, where bomb and gouge is her favorite game.”

Full piece.

5. Meanwhile, in Jordan…

Golfweek’s Beth Ann Nichols with the report…”Meghan MacLaren held the lead at a new groundbreaking event called the Jordan Mixed Open, which features competitors from the Challenge Tour, over 50s Staysure Tour and Ladies European Tour playing for a single purse.”

“At day’s end, MacLaren’s opening 7-under 65 ended up one shot back of Challenge Tour player Daan Huizing. She was congratulated by players across all tours for the efforts. There are 40 players from each tour in the field, along with a few amateurs”

Full piece.

6. Fields on ANWA

Bill Fields, writing for ESPNw…”For the first time, a club once criticized for its lack of women members is conducting a tournament for elite women golfers, 72 of the best women amateurs in the world. After Thursday’s second round at Champions Retreat in nearby Evans, Georgia, the low 30 players will contest the final 18 holes at Augusta National.”

“Augusta National introduced Condoleeza Rice and Darla Moore as the club’s first female members in 2012 after more than a decade of pressure, followed by Virginia Rometty in 2014.”

“It isn’t a professional women’s event that some in recent years have urged Augusta National to institute, but it is an important development.”

Full piece.

7. Notable Masters rules incidents

Credit to E. Michael Johnson for this excellent assembly of notable rules infractions in Masters history…

Including, of course, this one…“Tiger Woods, 15th hole, second round, 2013…Bearing down on the lead in the 2013 Masters, Woods hit a near-perfect wedge from 85 yards. “Near” being the explanation for it striking the flagstick and ricocheting into the water fronting the green. Wanting to land his next shot a couple yards shorter, Woods went back two yards and dropped. The strategy worked as Woods knocked it stiff and made bogey-except the rules call for the drop to be made as “near as possible” to the spot from which the previous shot was struck. By his own admission in a press interview after the round, he said he dropped two yards back. After a viewer called in (it later was revealed that the caller was former PGA Tour and USGA tournament director David Eger), a series of meetings and discussions eventually resulted in Woods receiving a two-stroke penalty, but avoiding disqualification as the committee controversially invoked Rule 33-7, which gives officials leeway in deciding disqualifications.”

Full piece.

8. Wie opens with 74

Golf Channel’s Randall Mell…

“Michelle Wie looked as if she might be staggering to another disappointing start Thursday at the ANA Inspiration.”

“Maybe another short-lived one.”

“At 5 over through eight holes, she looked as if she were quickly playing herself out of the year’s first major championship, a development sure to ignite new questions over her surgically repaired right hand.”

“Wie rallied, though…She got herself back in this championship with a blitz of four consecutive birdies in the middle of the round to shoot 2-over-par 74.”

Full piece.

9. Great golf cliches

EuropeanTour.com staff doing the lord’s work with this roundup of golf cliches and their true meanings…

I’m going to take it one shot at a time

When you’ll hear it: Any time a golfer is asked to look ahead

What it really means: If I think too far forward, I’ll implode

The game is solid, I just need to put two good rounds together

When you’ll hear it: When a player is leading after 36 holes

What it really means: It will be a miracle if I ever shoot two sub-70 rounds again – can we end this thing now?

Full piece.

News

Most birdies without breaking par – GolfWRXers discuss

Published

9 hours 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

10 hours 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.