News

Nifty Fifty: Phil Mickelson makes Kiawah his sixth major title

Published

5 years ago

May 23, 2021

On absolutely no one’s radar screen but his own at the beginning of the third week of May, Phil Mickelson defied all odds and overcame all challenges to claim the 2021 PGA Championship. Mickelson first won the PGA in 2005 at Baltusrol in New Jersey. He also owns three Masters titles and the 2013 British Open title. Have I mentioned that Mickelson turned 50 last June and became the oldest winner of any major championship in history?

The week began as most major weeks commence: an unproven young’un atop the leader board. This time, it was Corey Conners, a product of Canada and Kent State University. Conners marked six birdies on his scorecard that day and finished ahead by two at minus-5. He began Friday as poorly as he did well on Thursday, finishing with 75 and ultimately placing 17th. Mickelson nearly played himself out of South Carolina on opening day. He stood plus-4 after six holes but rebounded on the tougher stretch of the course with six birdies and posted 70.

Day two saw Lefty reverse his fortunes. He teed off on the back nine and posted 38. He came alive on the front nine, posting five birdies for another 31, and a 69 on the day. Mickelson’s 139 total was matched by South Africa’s Louis Oosthuizen, also a British Open champion (2010). Oosthuizen followed a 71 with 68, to earn a spot in the final pairing with the lefthander.

Day three witnessed a near runaway by he of the aged vintage. Mickelson again played the front nine in exquisite fashion. He posted four birdies for 32 on his way out and added a fifth at the 10th hole, to reach 10 strokes under par. Two holes later, he made his first bogey of the round and followed it with a double at 13. He would finish the day at 7-under par, one shot ahead of two-time PGA champion Brooks Koepka.

It’s rare that a golf course ages into technology, but the Ocean Course at Kiawah Island improves in just that fashion. Unlike the TPC course in Sawgrass, that has undergone myriad renovations and alterations over the years, the Ocean Course remains exactly as it was when it held the 1991 Ryder Cup, in its first year of play. With its combination of forced carries, ocean breezes, and flexible setup — and its length, the Ocean Course stands firm against the advances of human strength and technology.

Koepka and Mickelson teed off in Sunday’s final pairing and Mickelson immediately surrendered his one-stroke advantage. Koepka opened with a textbook birdie, while Mickelson showed all the nerves of a teenager on a first date and scribbled bogey on his card. One hole later, fortune again reversed its course. Koepka had owned the Ocean Course par-5 holes all week but would toss away his chance at victory with a double and a bogey on the first two long holes on Sunday. Koepka is normally one of the game’s great drivers of the ball, but he was tentative on Sunday, turning his fade into a tug. The tug did him in on holes two and seven.

What was most enervating for the big Florida man was, his wretched 7 and 6 each followed a birdie. Who can explain that? It was that sort of day on the spit of land called Kiawah Island. Mickelson was having a topsy-turvy start of his own. He didn’t make a par until the fourth, following his opening bogey with birdie-bogey. He then went birdie-bogey-birdie for the five through seven stretch, and expanded his advantage! When he made his fourth birdie of the day, at the tenth hole, he held a five-shot advantage, and ignited the mask-free crowds into a frenzy of adulation and fandom.

Mickelson’s sixth major title was his first with younger brother Tim on the bag. As the pair marched toward destiny’s embrace, it was easy to see the same emotion spread across each brother’s face. The younger one wanting to serve the older one with accurate numbers and proper support; the older one wanting to execute the strategy planned out with the younger one’s help.

As the holes waned, Louis Oosthuizen reached minus-4 and closed to within two of Mickelson’s lead. The South African golfer needed at least one birdie on the closing pair, but was unable to do better than pars. Koepka had birdies at 15 and 16 and, like Louis, needed one more to make Phil think and squeeze harder, but it was not to be. Mickelson made safe bogey at 17 and safe par at 18, and won by two.

It’s ironic that Mickelson reclaimed his place at the top of the game as well as a likely spot on the USA Ryder Cup side in Wisconsin, in the year that Tiger Woods once again racked himself up with self-inflicted injury. If anything will motivate the great one to rebound, it’s a Mickelson victory. So cheers to you, Mr. Mickelson. You’ve given us a wonderful May and an even better 2021 and 2022 to come.

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.