News

Morning 9: Bryson bests Bay Hill | Ernst wins Drive On | Koepka out of Players with knee injury

Published

5 years ago

Mar 8, 2021

Ben Alberstadt

By Ben Alberstadt

For comments—or if you’re looking for a fourth—email me at [email protected].

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March 8, 2021

Good Monday morning, golf fans.

1. Bryson bombards Bay Hill

AP report…”The long ball helped Bryson DeChambeau outlast Lee Westwood on Sunday to win the Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by Mastercard, only the key shots were as much with his putter as his driver.”

“DeChambeau holed a 40-foot birdie putt on the front nine and a 50-foot par putt early on the back nine. He closed it out with a nervy 5-foot par putt for a 1-under 71 and a one-shot victory over the 47-year-old Westwood.”

“It matched the low score of the day, one of only three rounds under par in the toughest final round at Bay Hill in 41 years.”

Full piece.

2. Ernst dominates at Drive On

AP report…”Austin Ernst won the Drive On Championship on Sunday for her third LPGA Tour title, pulling away to beat fellow former NCAA champion Jennifer Kupcho by five strokes at Golden Ocala.”

“Tied for the lead with Kupcho after each of the first two rounds and a stroke ahead entering the day, Ernst closed with a 2-under 70 to finish at 15-under 273.”

Full piece.

3. Brooks out of Players with knee injury

Golf Channel’s Brentley Romine…”Brooks Koepka has withdrawn from next week’s Players Championship with a knee injury.”

“This time it’s his right knee.”

“Brooks strained his right knee and he is scheduled to further consult with doctors this week to receive a more extensive evaluation and outlook,” Koepka’s manager, Blake Smith, said in a statement. “We will be able to provide additional updates and information as we learn more.”

“Koepka battled a left knee injury for much of the past two years, including receiving multiple stem-cell treatments.”

Full piece.

4. “The most compelling golfer since Tiger Woods”

Our Gianni Magliocco with some extremely high praise for Bryson DeChambeau…”Jordan Spieth is one of the most popular golfers on the planet and did everything in his power to steal the show on Saturday at Bay Hill.”

“An ace, bunker hole-out, 130-feet of putts holed? By anyone’s standards, that’s outrageous and headline-worthy. Yet Spieth’s magic was upstaged by the one-man show that is Bryson DeChambeau.”

“A friend of mine hadn’t watched a round of live golf since the Masters in November. On Saturday, he made sure to check in on Bryson on the 6th hole, having read during the week that he might try and drive the par 5 hole. DeChambeau didn’t disappoint.”

“The result? He was glued to the broadcast until Corey Conners tapped in his par putt on 18.”

“That’s star power, rock star appeal, the sort of magnetic attraction that only Tiger Woods has provided in recent times. That’s Bryson DeChambeau.”

“In fact, the last time there was so much anticipation and attention over a single drive was back in 2010 when Tiger returned to the course at Augusta National following the now infamous 2009 Thanksgiving Day soap opera.”

Full piece.

5. A grim anniversary

Golfweek’s Eamon Lynch…”On that evening — almost a year ago, March 12 — there were just a few hundred known cases of COVID-19 in the United States and no recorded deaths. How different that tally will look when the Tour returns to TPC Sawgrass: more than 28 million infections and north of 500,000 Americans dead.”

“The cost of this pandemic — in lives lost, mostly, but also in jobs, families, businesses and economies sundered — makes for an awfully somber accounting. Amid such wreckage, it’s human nature to cling to whatever semblance of normalcy one can find. For many of us, that familiarity was found in golf. One year on, and still far from normal life as we once understood it, the PGA Tour is as much therapy as entertainment.”

“At the final event before the ’20 Players, the Arnold Palmer Invitational at Bay Hill, it was business as usual, with only a smattering of small talk about the looming pandemic. There was no social distancing in effect nor masks evident on the range.”

“But there was awareness and wariness if you were looking closely.”

Full piece.

6. Questions of sleep, Ambien in Woods crash

Past behavior, available information merit the question, writes Brent Schrotenboer of USA Today…”Sheriff Alex Villanueva said there was no evidence of Woods being impaired. The sheriff’s department therefore didn’t request blood evidence to check for drug use, prompting another question surrounding the incident: Was this latest crash another case of Woods driving on Ambien?”

“Experts say the evidence supports that suspicion, including the way they say his vehicle left the road as if he had been asleep at the wheel.”

“Then there’s his history. After another single-car crash in Florida in 2009, Woods was found unconscious in his SUV and snoring, according to a witness statement in a police report. Woods later acknowledged he used Ambien but didn’t directly answer when asked at a news conference if Ambien played a role in that crash.”

“The experts contacted by USA TODAY Sports cautioned that they couldn’t draw conclusions yet and that there could be other explanations for what happened, such as other medicines or a medical emergency.”

Full piece.

7. Captain Stricker hoping Tiger can be part of U.S. Ryder Cup team

ESPN’s Bob Harig…”Steve Stricker wore red and black in honor of Tiger Woods on Sunday at the Arnold Palmer Invitational and said he hopes to have his longtime friend at the Ryder Cup this fall “in one way, shape or form.”

“But the U.S. Ryder Cup captain would not go so far as to say this early that Woods would be a vice captain when the United States Ryder Cup team takes on Europe at Whistling Straits in September.”

“I’m not going to go down that road now,” Stricker said. “Obviously we’re all pulling for him. We’re thankful that he’s alive. I don’t know who said it, but that his kids continue to have a father. Something even more tragic could have come from that.

“I’d love to have him around [at the Ryder Cup]. I’m hoping in one way, shape or form. But it’s too early to kind of commit to anything.”

Full piece.

8. Tiger texted Bryson

Golf Channel’s Brentley Romine…”Tiger Woods, who is still recovering from serious injuries sustained in a car accident less than two weeks ago in Los Angeles, messaged DeChambeau some words of encouragement.”

“Out of the blue and I wasn’t expecting anything,” DeChambeau said. “When I got that text, I’m like, ‘Wow, that’s pretty amazing that he is thinking of me when he’s in his tough times that he’s going through right now.’”

“During the text exchange, Woods apparently told DeChambeau to “keep fighting” and “play boldly like Mr. Palmer.”

Full piece.

9. Bryson DeChambeau WITB

Driver: Cobra King LTD Pro (7.5 degrees)

Shaft: LA Golf Tour AXS Blue 6 X

3-wood: Cobra King Prototype B (10.5 degrees)

Shaft: LA Golf BAD Prototype 70 TX (43″)

3-wood: Cobra King SZ Tour (14.5 degrees @13.5)

Shaft: LA Golf BAD Prototype 80 TX (41″)

Irons: Cobra King One Length Utility (4, 5), Cobra King Forged Tour One Length (6-PW)

Shafts: LA Golf Rebar Proto (37.5″)

Wedges: Artisan Prototype (50 @47, 55 @52, 60 @58)

Shafts: LA Golf Rebar Proto

Putter: SIK Pro C-Series Armlock

Ball: Bridgestone Tour B X

Grips: Jumbo Max Light XL

Full piece.

News

Most birdies without breaking par – GolfWRXers discuss

Published

22 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

22 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.