News

Tour Rundown: Jones conquers Honda, Harding wins in Kenya

Published

5 years ago

Mar 22, 2021

There are two perspectives on swing on tour. Not the human ones, but the organization of events in a geographic region. One perspective says, finish your swing with your pre-eminent tournament. That happens on the West Coast swing, where Riviera hosts the Genesis and caps the four weeks of Arizona-California golf. In Hawaii, the season kinda-sorta has to open with the Tournament of Champions, so that one is handcuffed. The most interesting swing is the Florida one, where the big-ticket item, The Players, is the penultimate event, and the Valspar doesn’t even make the swing. This matters, because as we look at the event that is The Honda Classic, we can’t help but empathize with its plight.

The Honda comes the week after the fifth major, so many top-ranked golfers see it as a good week to break from the stress of competition. It comes the week before a WGC event, the Dell Match Play, where golfers hope to impress their respective Ryder and Presidents Cup captains with their head-to-head ability (and make a few bucks, let’s be honest.)

Finally, the Honda takes place on a PGA National golf course that was made punitive for no good reason. It’s not the place you want to find (or preserve) your swing, if you hope to peek heading into The Masters. The Champions course is better suited to precede a US Open or PGA Championship, with its emphasis on accuracy and wind management. With WGC and Majors dotting the canvas, events like the Honda will always fill the spaces between.

PGA Tour: Matt Jones claims second career win at The Honda

The first (and last time until Sunday) Matt Jones won on the PGA Tour; he had to work overtime in figurative and literal fashions. In 2014, Jones drained a 46-feet birdie putt at the 72nd hole to tie Matt Kuchar, then chipped in from over 100 feet on the playoff hole to win. This week, Jones did the heavy lifting on Thursday, then held steady the next three days. On day one, the Australian had runs of four and three birdies, on his way to nine birdies and an opening 61. Despite elevating nine shots on day two, Jones would fare no worse than that 70 and follow it with 69 and 68 for a five-shot win over Brandon Hagy. The runner-up played the same sort of spectacular as Jones, with rounds of 69-62-66 on his card. His third-round lapse, to 76, was his undoing. The 66 in round four forced Hagy 16 spots up the leaderboard to a career-best, second-place finish.

On a course with more water than grass at times, Jones made no worse than bogey. On the day that he seemed poised to drive the train off the rails, Jones made eagle at the last to return to even par. The victory qualified Jones into the Masters for the second time in his career.

European Tour: Harding in for second tour win at MKO

There is no great creativity in the naming of golf tournaments on professional tours. It’s either a major, or it has a sponsor’s tag attached to the title. This makes events like the Magical Kenya Open a rarity. Sure, the government or its chambers of commerce sponsor the tournament, but still, Magical Kenya! For lovers of language and golf, the disruption of the parade of corporate dances is a respite. Justin Harding certainly found the Karen Country Club to be magical this week for different reasons.

The South African golfer etched his name into a winner’s plaque in 2019 in Qatar. There, he won by two shots over nine golfers. That’s a feat in itself and made his two-shot win over just the USA’s Kurt Kitayama seem quite mundane. Harding was solid all day Sunday, with three birdies and his second deuce of the week at the par-four ninth hole doing the damage. Kitayama posted two eagles on day four, along with the same number of birdies. His attempt to unseat Harding was interrupted by an unfortunate six at the par-five eleventh hole. Even though Harding failed to make birdie there, he still picked up a stroke on his nearest chaser.

Like Brendon Hagy over at The Honda, Scotland’s Connor Syme played the best Kenya golf over three rounds. He had 65-67-64 but was undone by a 71 on day three. The Tour remains in Kenya this week, in fact, at the same course. It does remain to be seen, among other storylines, whether Harding can go back to back on a course that favors his game.

Korn Ferry Tour: Diaz wins first event at Louisiana

Just when it seemed that Roberto Bobby Diaz was ready to claim his first big USA event, he made bogey at the 13th hole. Just when it seemed that Peter Uihlein was ready to claim his first big USA event, he made bogey at the 17th hole. Just when it seemed that Tom Whitney was ready to claim his first big USA event, he ran out of holes. So, who won? If you read the headline, you already know.

Whitney played the most impressive golf on Sunday. He opened with eagle, added six birdies, and reached 16-under par for solo third place. Uihlein, the 2010 US Amateur champion, had two eagles on Sunday (at the first and the twelfth holes) and looked to be capable of winning a first big event since the 2017 Nationwide, on the Web.Com (now Korn Ferry) tour. Alas, Uihlein made bogey at the 17th and settled for second spot, at 17-under par.

It was Diaz who emerged victorious and, until Sunday, was known as a player who had won by not winning. In 2017, Diaz lost a PGA Tour Latinoamerica playoff but moved so far up the world ranking that he qualified for the WGC-Mexico Championship as the leading Mexican golfer. This week, Diaz was able to steady his nerves after the 13th-hole bogey and run the table with pars. That was good enough to hold off Uihlein and secure much-needed status, stature, and confidence heading into the meat of the Korn Ferry season.

News

Most birdies without breaking par – GolfWRXers discuss

Published

8 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

8 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.