News

Morning 9: One for pops! | Multiple non-conforming drivers at Safeway? | McIlroy roasts Euro Tour

Published

7 years ago

Sep 30, 2019

Ben Alberstadt

By Ben Alberstadt

[email protected] is unmonitored! Email me at [email protected]

and find me at @benalberstadt on Instagram

September 30, 2019

Good Monday morning, golf fans. Hard to believe it’s the final day of September. We’re on the 15th or 16th hole of the golf season here in the Northeast—make the most of what’s left! (Featured image: Champ’s golf ball, c/o Srixon)

1. One for Pops!

Explosive start, crash to earth, take flight again. Hard to believe it has been just 366 days since Cameron Champ’s breakthrough victory at the 2018 Sanderson Farms Championship. Champ returned to the winner’s circle with a dominant performance at the Safeway Open.

And that storyline takes a back seat to this…(Michael Wagaman at the AP) “Cameron Champ made a 3-foot birdie putt on the 18th hole for a one-stroke victory over Adam Hadwin on Sunday in the Safeway Open, finishing off an emotional week with his grandfather battling cancer.”

“Three strokes ahead entering the round, Champ had five birdies and overcame a bogey on No. 17 to hold off Hadwin for his second PGA TOUR victory. Champ closed with a 3-under 69 to finish at 17-under 271 at Silverado Resort.”
“Champ raised both arms then shared a long embrace with his caddie before breaking into tears as he hugged his father on the green. Champ’s grandfather, Mack, is fighting stomach cancer and is in hospice in Sacramento. Mack introduced Champ to golf at a young age.”

Full piece.

2. Multiple non-conforming drivers?

While there were no reported non-conforming drivers at The Greenbrier earlier this month, multiple drivers tested were found to be over the CT line at the Safeway Open, according to a Reuters report. Adding a wrinkle: some players are apparently skeptical of the results.

“Several players were deemed to be using non-conforming drivers at this week’s Safeway Open in California as the new PGA Tour testing procedure swung into full gear, Reuters has learned.”

“But some players are questioning the accuracy of the tour’s testing procedure, and have sent their drivers back to their various manufacturers for re-testing.”

“The non-conforming drivers are from across the manufacturing spectrum, including major brands such as Titleist, TaylorMade and Cobra, two insiders with knowledge of the matter said.”

“It is believed that Corey Conners, Robert Streb, Jason Dufner, Michael Thompson and Mark Hubbard were among those whose drivers did not pass the test.”

Full piece.

3. Victor-y

Golf Digest’s John Huggan with the report on Victor Perez’ surprising W…”The Road Hole. On the Old Course at St. Andrews, winning and losing so often comes down to the penultimate test on golf’s most famous venue. And so it was on Sunday at the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship. Tied standing on the controversial 17th tee-the one on the practice range over the fence from the world’s most-famous course-Matthew Southgate and Victor Perez were finally separated by their play on what is widely regarded as the toughest par 4 on the planet.”

“Perez hit the fairway, then the elusive green and two-putted for par. Southgate drove too far left into the rough, hit the distant putting surface with his approach but had a long way to the hole, and three-putted. And that, after both made par on the 18th, was the difference between the pair. For the record, Perez was 22-under-par 266 for the 72 holes (36 on the Old Course, 18 on Kingsbarns and 18 on Carnoustie). Southgate was alone in second, one shot back, with Joakim Lagergren of Sweden and Paul Waring of England tied for third at 20 under in the race for the $800,000 first-place check that will change Perez’s life.”

Full piece.

4. Not tough enough?

Strong words from the European Tour’s preeminent voice. Is Rory McIlroy wrong?

BBC report…”The European Tour needs to make courses harder if they want to “reward” good golf, insists Rory McIlroy.”

“The Northern Irishman carded a final round of 67 at the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship to add to previous rounds of 70, 66 and 70.”

“But that was only enough to finish a joint-26th, with winner Victor Perez scoring 22 under par.”

“I’m sick of coming back over to the European Tour and shooting 15 under par and finishing 30th,” said McIlroy.”

“I don’t think the courses are set up hard enough. There’s no penalties for bad shots. It’s tough when you come back when it’s like that, I don’t think good golf is rewarded as well as it could be.”

Full piece.

5. Maybe Rory was just bitter about narrowly missing the team title?

Golfweek’s Alistair Tait…”Rory McIlroy nearly gave dad Gerry the perfect pre-60th birthday present, only for Team McIlroy to be denied the team title in the $5 million Alfred Dunhill Links Championship – on a technicality.”

“The McIlroys returned a closing 11-under 61 over St Andrews’s Old Course to join Tommy Fleetwood and amateur partner Ogden Phipps at the top of the leaderboard on 39 under par. Rory and Gerry were one shot better than the Fleetwood tandem, who returned a 62.”

“There is no playoff in the pro-am element of the tournament. In the event of a tie, the better professional score on the final day decides the team title, not the better team score. Since Fleetwood returned a 64 to McIlroy’s 67, the McIlroys had to settle for second place.”

Full piece.

6. Wire-to-wire in Indy

AP report on Mi Jung Hur’s impressive frontrunning at Brickyard Crossing…”Mi Jung Hur wanted to go wire-to-wire on the LPGA Tour for the first time, and she had the perfect formula Sunday at the Indy Women in Tech Championship.”

“Hur closed with a 4-under 68 for a four-shot victory, her second LPGA Tour title of the year.”

“After the third round, I was talking about that wire-to-wire because I never had that before in my life and I really wanted to do it,” Hur said on the 18th green after getting soaked by in a celebration. “And I did it. I’m so happy.”

Full piece.

7. Asia Pacific Am

AP report on a win that punches one man’s ticket to the Masters…”Lin Yuxin struggled so much with the par-5 18th hole at Sheshan International that he thought it cost him in the Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship.”

“But he played it to perfection in the first sudden-death playoff in the 11-year history of the tournament, and his birdie on the second extra hole gave Lin the victory over defending champion Takumi Kanaya of Japan and allowed him to join Hideki Matsuyama as the only two-time winners of the Asia-Pacific Amateur.”

Full piece.

8. Triplett triples up

AP report…”Kirk Triplett won the Pure Insurance Championship for the third time Sunday at Pebble Beach, beating Billy Andrade with an 8-foot birdie putt on the first hole of a playoff.”

“The 57-year-old Triplett also won the PGA Tour Champions event in 2012 and 2013. He has eight senior victories, also winning a playoff in March in the Hoag Classic down the coast in Newport Beach.”

Full piece.

9. The President, Mr. Player, Ms. 59

AP report on a notable foursome teeing it up at Trump National Golf Club in Sterling, Virginia this weekend….

“President Donald Trump enjoyed a unique mix of playing partners for his round of golf Saturday, though his partners report he ended up on the losing end.”

“Trump played with Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., and two retired pro golfers, Gary Player and Annika Sörenstam, both members of the World Golf Hall of Fame.”

“Graham reported that Trump was in good spirits, though he says the president and Player lost the match to Sorenstam and himself.”

Full piece.

News

Most birdies without breaking par – GolfWRXers discuss

Published

19 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

19 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

3 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.