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Morning 9: Breaking the Puerto Rico Open curse | RIP, Peter Alliss | Bezuidenhout goes back-to-back

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By Ben Alberstadt
Email me at [email protected]; and find me on Twitter and Instagram.
December 7, 2020
Good Monday morning, golf fans. What’s the worst golf gift you’ve ever received?
1. Breaking the Puerto Rico Open curse
Adam Woodard for Golfweek…”Not only did Viktor Hovland earn his second PGA Tour win on Sunday, he also put to rest a curse that’s been haunting the Tour for more than a decade.”
Earlier this year in February, Hovland won the Puerto Rico Open, an event that’s put a burden of sorts on its winners over the years. Players who won the Puerto Rico Open never went on to win another tournament on Tour, with one exception: Michael Bradley, who won the Puerto Rico Open in 2009 and again in 2011.
“Tony Finau won in 2016 and has yet to win since, losing in two playoffs along the way. Alex Cejka, 2015’s champion, has lost in one playoff, same with 2013 winner Scott Brown, whose playoff loss was with Kevin Kisner against Jonas Blixt and Cameron Smith at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans in 2017.”
2. Peter Alliss, legendary golf broadcaster, dies at 89
As you have likely heard, legendary long-time commentator Peter Aliss’ death was reported over the weekend.
And while the remembrances are many, the BBC’s Ian Carter’s lead—and discussion of Alliss the commentator’s origin story—is excellent.
  • “Peter Alliss was nattering to a friend on a flight back from Ireland, discussing how he had missed a chance to win that week’s golf tournament. It was a conversation that led to one of the greatest careers in sports commentary.”
  • “Alliss’ tale of golfing woe was clearly wonderfully told and it was overheard by someone working in television who could spot broadcasting potential. Ten days later a letter arrived from BBC producer Ray Lakeland.”
  • “It said, so Alliss told me: “I was sitting behind you and you were telling the story of how you lost and it was very amusing. Would you like to come and work with us at The Open?”
  • “I was only 30 years old, I was still trying to win The Open,” Alliss continued. “But they said just come up after your round and tell us what it was like out there, and that’s what I did – and I’ve been there ever since.”
3. Back-to-back for Bezuidenhout
EuropeanTour.com report…”The 26-year-old began his final round with a five shot advantage over Welshman Jamie Donaldson, who cut the deficit to two before turn as the South African struggled to make an impact on the scoreboard at Gary Player Country Club. But Bezuidenhout regained his form on the the back nine to sign for a 69 and finish on 18 under par overall to seal his third European Tour operated title of the season following his win at the Dimension Data Pro-Am on the European Challenge Tour in February and his magnificent four shot victory at the Alfred Dunhill Championship seven days ago.”
4. Stanford wins as parents look on
AP report…”Angela Stanford won her home LPGA Tour event in front of her parents, closing with a 4-under 67 for a two-stroke victory Sunday in the Volunteers of America Classic.”
  • “I just haven’t had many chances to win in front of them. So to finally do it, it’s so cool,” Stanford said. “I couldn’t even look over at my mom coming up 18 because I was starting to get teary eyed. I’m like, ‘Just don’t look over there, don’t look over there.? I would have lost it.”
  • “The 43-year-old former TCU star from Fort Worth won her seventh LPGA Tour title and first since the major Evian Championship in 2018. She finished at 7-under 277 at Old American Golf Club in the event that started in bone-chilling cold Thursday.”
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5. USWO’s virtual fan experiences
The USGA is getting creative to offer fans the opportunity to experience the 75th U.S. Women’s Open.
USGA report…”A number of experiences and activations have been designed specifically to bring fans around the world closer to the action and allow them to interact directly with the world’s best players during the 75th U.S. Women’s Open at Champions Golf Club in Houston, Texas, from Dec. 7-13. “This year marks a significant anniversary in our storied championship, and we are excited to unveil unique ways for fans to interact with the year’s final major like never before,” said Craig Annis, chief brand officer of the USGA. “While we won’t be able to welcome the game’s greatest fans on-site at Champions Golf Club, they will be given unmatched access to the championship and their favorite players across all of their devices from the comfort of their homes.”
6. Brooks’ 2020 finishes with a whimper…
Golf Channel’s Ryan Lavner: “A moment of carelessness cost Brooks Koepka a cut in the final PGA Tour event of 2020.
  • Hovering near the cut line Friday at the Mayakoba Classic, Koepka missed a 10-footer for birdie on the par-5 fifth hole, his 14th of the day. That’s when he stepped up and, without taking much time, lipped out the 1.5-foot comebacker, walking off with a bogey.
  • Even though he birdied the eighth hole, it wasn’t enough for Koepka to make the cut. He stood at even-par 142, with the cut line falling at 1 under. Second-round play was suspended Friday because of darkness and completed Saturday morning in Mexico.”
7. Lynch: The cautionary tale of Rickie Fowler
Eamon Lynch for Golfweek…”With the enigma that is Rickie Fowler, the most illuminating figure is this: 11 years into his career, he has more commercial sponsors than PGA Tour victories.”
  • “…There was a period when Fowler’s ample screen time on Sunday afternoons was earned through his fine play. Now that time is paid for by a seemingly endless parade of partners confident that Fowler can help them sell everything from insurance and automobiles to mortgages and underwear. It’s the Arnold Palmer business model, and more power to Fowler for leveraging it so astutely. But at what cost to his career?”
  • “On Friday, Fowler missed the cut at the Mayakoba Golf Classic, the latest in a run of dismal performances in the year since he parted ways with his tag team of swing coaches, Butch and Claude Harmon, to work with John Tillery. His last top 10 finish was in January at the American Express.”
8. Report: Cristie Kerr and caddie taken to hospital after golf cart accident
Golf Channel’s digital team…”Cristie Kerr and her caddie were injured in a “serious” golf cart accident on Friday morning, according to Golfweek. Kerr, who shot 1-over-par 72 in the first round of the Volunteers of America Classic, withdrew from the tournament and she and her caddie went to the hospital.”
  • “According to Golfweek…Kerr’s husband, Erik Stevens, confirmed that the accident occurred in dark conditions at the Old American Golf Club and both Kerr and her caddie, Matt Gelczis, spent several hours in the emergency room with multiple serious injuries before being discharged late in the afternoon.”
9. Hovland’s winning WITB
Driver: Ping G425 LST (9 degrees)
Shaft: Project X HZURDUS Smoke RDX Black 6.5
3-wood: TaylorMade SIM (15 degrees @ 14.5)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Tensei Blue AV Raw 85 TX
Irons: Callaway X Forged UT (21 degrees), Ping i210 (4-PW)
Shafts: Graphite Design Tour AD DI-85 X Hybrid (21), KBS Tour 120 X (4-PW)
Wedges: Ping Glide 3.0 (50-SS, 56-SS @55) Vokey WedgeWorks (60T)
Shafts: KBS Tour-V 130 X
Putter: Ping PLD Prototype “Hovi”
Ball: Titleist Pro V1

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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