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Morning 9: McIlroy | U.S. golf update | Today in Bryson | Great field for Colonial? | Challenge of Euro Tour restart

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1. McIlroy: A Ryder Cup without fans isn’t a Ryder Cup at all
Golf Channel’s Brentley Romine writes Rory says a Ryder cup sans fans is…“Not a Ryder Cup,” said Rory McIlroy.”
  • “Speaking during a TaylorMade Golf-sponsored Instagram Live session, the European team stalwart said he’d rather the 2020 matches, set for Sept. 25-27, be postponed until 2021 than be played at Whistling Straits without fans.”
  • “That’s from a European, going to America, knowing that I’m going to get abuse,” McIlroy said. “Obviously it would be better for Europeans to play without fans because we wouldn’t deal with some of the stuff that you have to put up with, but at the same time, it wouldn’t be a great spectacle. There would be no atmosphere.
  • “So if it came to whether they had to choose between not playing the Ryder Cup of playing it without fans, I would say just delay it a year.”
2. A very strong field for Colonial? 
Cameron Morfit for PGATour.com...Given that the Charles Schwab Challenge currently is the first tournament back on the PGA TOUR’s reconfigured schedule unveiled last week, Palmer thinks Colonial might just have a major feel to it.
  • “I expect a pretty strong, if not the best, field Colonial has had,” Palmer said. “The field is only going to get better as more information comes out about the testing and everything.”
  • “Testing, of course, will be a big part of any tournament in the near-future due to concerns stemming from the coronavirus pandemic. A safe environment is the primary concern of any event, especially the first wave of tournaments. But pent-up demands to watch golf, and players eager to get back to work should make for a memorable week at Colonial – provided the schedule holds, of course.”
3. Difficulty of Euro Tour restart
John Huggan examines the nuances facing Pelley and company and checks in with European pros…
  • “One of the biggest problems Keith Pelley has right now is that he deals with so many different countries and governments,” says Nicolas Colsaerts, a former Ryder Cup player and member of the tour’s tournament committee. “Every country has been thrown into our current situation at slightly different times, so it is difficult to know what is going to happen in those places. Planning anything with any certainty is almost impossible. There are so many different scenarios. While you may be able to play golf or start to play in one place, you might not be in another.”
  • “Rest assured, Colsaerts says, the European Tour has a plan in place, but nothing official yet. “We are waiting for the governments to tell us what we can do. Or can’t do,” he said.”
  • “Despite this, Pelley’s silence does seem to underline the notion that just about any information he has for his members is only going to deepen the prevailing downbeat mood. Which is not to say players are not understanding.”
4. Hogan Award finalists
Golfweek’s Julie Williams…”Typically, the end of April means conference championships and gearing up for the postseason. But with college golf prematurely over, due to the coronavirus pandemic, late April means gearing up for awards season. A long list of distinguished college golfers that made up the Ben Hogan Award finalist list has now been trimmed to three names.”
  • “Pepperdine senior Sahith Theegala, Vanderbilt senior John Augenstein and Florida freshman Ricky Castillo are the remaining candidates for the award, given annually to the top men’s college golfer taking into account all collegiate and amateur competitions over the past 12 months. This year’s season was cut short due to the COVID-19 pandemic, meaning that all tournaments played between May 21, 2019, and March 12, 2020, were considered.”
5. BK’s shank and other stories 
Brian Wacker at Golf Digest…“On Tuesday, he discussed some of them, among other topics, in an Instagram Live conversation with his longtime caddie Ricky Elliott.”
  • “Like the time he cold shanked one during his first Ryder Cup appearance in 2016. After playing partner Brandt Snedeker drove into the left rough on the 12th hole at Hazeltine National during their alternate shot match on Saturday, Koepka swung and hit the ball off the hosel of his 6-iron, sending it sideways and just short of a pond.”
  • “I’m not gonna walk over there,” Koepka recalled to Elliott. “I’m gonna let Sneds find it.”
  • “In the meantime, Koepka noticed assistant captain Bubba Watson giggling as he listened to his earpiece. When Koepka inquired what was so funny he let him in on the joke: Tiger Woods, also an assistant that year, had said, “Don’t worry, only 15 million people saw you just shank it.” Then he’d told the group they just saw Koepka shank it again…in slow motion.”
6. Live golf this week?
Golf Digest’s Alex Myers…”the Outlaw Tour, which has continued along with several other mini-tours throughout this Coronavirus-imposed break, made a big announcement of its own.”
  • (Outlaw Tour on Twitter) “The Outlaw Tour…ANNOUNCEMENT: The Outlaw Tour will be streaming live golf via @PeriscopeCo throughout the next three tournaments, starting with the Legacy Shootout (begins Tuesday). Social distancing rules will apply. Stay tuned for details.”
  • And then this incredible morsel….“Except, that wasn’t the last update. Apparently, one of the camera operators was too hungover so there will only be one featured group. Seriously.”
7. Golf course closures update
Our Gianni Magliocco…”The National Golf Foundation are continuing their nationwide course surveys to show the human and business impacts that COVID-19 is having on golf – with their current findings showing 49% of courses currently open for play in the U.S.”
  • “Based on phone surveys of 1,271 golf facilities, conducted between April 14 – April 19, the NGF found that the number of courses open for play had risen by 1% up from 48%. Based on the NGF’s research, the organization also believes that number could soon grow to 57%.”
  • “Golf is currently shut down in 12 states for the week beginning April 20 – with specific mandates in-place disallowing all play in the following states: Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, Pennsylvania, Vermont and Washington.”
8. Today in Bryson DeChambeau…
Per Geoff Shackelford, BAD could continue his bulking to the 270-pound mark…
  • Also, per Golf Channel’s Brentley Romine…”DeChambeau, who has made headlines for his recent gains in the gym and ball speed, said Monday on his Twitch stream that he’s considered putting a 48-inch driver in play.”
  • “I’d definitely use a 48-inch driver if I could control it,” DeChambeau said. “I’d generate so much more speed, but it’d need to be light enough, though. We’re going to mess with that. Trust me, if the USGA allows me to go to 48 inches with the driver – and I hit it just as straight as my 45.5-inch driver – why not? Why not?”

 

Ben Alberstadt is the Editor-in-Chief at GolfWRX, where he’s led editorial direction and gear coverage since 2018. He first joined the site as a freelance writer in 2012 after years spent working in pro shops and bag rooms at both public and private golf courses, experiences that laid the foundation for his deep knowledge of equipment and all facets of this maddening game. Based in Philadelphia, Ben’s byline has also appeared on PGATour.com, Bleacher Report...and across numerous PGA DFS and fantasy golf platforms. Off the course, Ben is a committed cat rescuer and, of course, a passionate Philadelphia sports fan. Follow him on Instagram @benalberstadt.

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Most birdies without breaking par – GolfWRXers discuss

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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.”

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Best current stock shaft 2026 – GolfWRXers discuss

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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.”

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GolfWRX’s Father’s Day Gift Guide (2026)

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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.

 

  • GolfWRX may earn a commission for purchases made through links on this page, at no extra cost to you.

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