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Morning 9: Kiz best of six at Wyndham | U.S. Am: Piot takes it 2&1 after rally

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By Ben Alberstadt
For comments—or if you’re looking for a fourth—email me at [email protected].
August 16, 2021
Good Monday morning, golf fans.
1. U.S. Am: Piot takes it 2&1 after rally
AP report…”??Facing his largest deficit of the week and running out of time, James Piot won four straight holes to start the back nine at Oakmont and went on to win the U.S. Amateur on Sunday over Austin Greaser.”
  • “Piot closed out his 2-and-1 victory by going bunker to bunker on the reachable par-4 17th hole and saving par with a 20-foot putt. Greaser, who was 3 up at the turn, had an 8-foot birdie putt to extend the match. It spun off the left lip.”
  • “Piot, a 22-year-old senior at Michigan State, was mobbed by friends and teammates in their Spartans gear off the green, and before long he was holding the gold trophy.”
2. Kiz best of six 
Helen Ross for PGATour.com…”And you thought it was hard to keep up with all the FedExCup projections this week. What about a six-man free-for-all to decide the winner of the Wyndham Championship?”
  • “Well, that’s just what happened at Sedgefield Country Club on Sunday. Turns out, Kevin Kisner, Adam Scott, Si Woo Kim, Roger Sloan, Kevin Na and Branden Grace needed two more shots at the 18th hole to decide the winner of the PGA TOUR’s Regular Season finale.”
  • “Kisner, who had finished in the top 10 in three of his last four appearances at the Wyndham Championship, finally prevailed when he made a 3-footer on the second extra hole.”
  • “…The victory was the fourth of Kisner’s career. It also broke a playoff drought for the affable South Carolinian. He’d lost five previously — most recently at the RSM Classic earlier this year…”
3. 228 starts later
AP report…”Ryann O’Toole won her first LPGA Tour event in 228 starts, closing with a bogey-free 8-under 64 at Dumbarnie Links for a three-shot victory in the Trust Golf Women’s Scottish Open on Sunday.”
  • “After tapping in for a closing par, the 34-year-old O’Toole was showered with champagne and greeted with a kiss by her fiancee, Gina Marra.”
Surprised to see a quarterly print publication advertised in a daily email newsletter? Don’t be.
The idea behind the Morning 9 is a roundup of the day’s most significant storylines presented in an easy-to-digest format. The Golfer’s Journal occupies the other end of the spectrum: long-form, photo rich essays from some of the best writers in golf discussing all elements of this beautiful, maddening game.
More a collection of essays than a magazine. More a coffee table book of first-rate photos than a glossy, ad-filled monthly — GJ is a must-have for true lovers of golf.
GolfWRX may earn a commission of “GolfWRX Recommends” products.
4. Meanwhile, at the Cazoo… 
BBC report…”Scotland’s Calum Hill secured his first European Tour title with a one-shot win at the Cazoo Classic in Kent.”
  • “The 26-year-old began the final round three strokes adrift but edged victory with a 67 to finish on 16 under par.”
  • “After Grant Forrest’s success in the Hero Open at St Andrews, Scots have now won back-to-back European Tour titles for the first time in nine years.”
5. Wild stuff for Hadley 
Golf Channel’s Mercer Baggs on the path Chesson took to edge out Justin Rose by a single point for the No. 125 spot…”Chesson Hadley needed something special in order to earn his PGA Tour card for next season. Having started the Wyndham Championship at 132nd in FedExCup points, he languished in tie for 51st through three rounds at Sedgefield.”
  • “…Starting on the back nine, he birdied three of his first four holes, before a bogey at the par-4 14th. He bounced back with a birdie at No. 15 and then recorded the first hole-in-one of his life at the par-3 16th.”
  • “…Hadley turned in 6-under 29 and added two more birdies – to no bogeys – for an 8-under 62. That put him at 12 under for the tournament and projected 126th in the FEC standings.”
6. Meet your playoff participants
Via ESPN staff…”Golf’s regular season came to a close on Sunday, with a lot of last-day jockeying to get into the field when the FedEx Cup playoffs start next week at the Northern Trust. Only the top 125 advance to the first event. After that, the top 70 make the BMW Championship. And lastly, the top 30 get a spot into the lucrative season-ending Tour Championship.”
“Here are the 125 players who earned a spot in the playoffs”
1. Collin Morikawa
2. Jordan Spieth
3. Patrick Cantlay
4. Harris English
5. Jon Rahm
6. Abraham Ancer
7. Bryson DeChambeau
8. Louis Oosthuizen
9. Justin Thomas
10. Sam Burns
7. Let it die
Eamon Lynch says it’s time for a ceasefire Brooks-Bryson bro war…”This adolescent spat has far outlived its entertainment value, though probably not just yet for Europe’s Ryder Cup team. Three things should happen to defuse a situation that is growing increasingly ugly.”
  • “First: Koepka needs to stop jabbing and understand that hecklers use his antipathy to justify the unsporting harassment of a fellow professional. Second: DeChambeau has to quit the whiny overreactions in difficult situations and learn to ignore feeble taunts from the peanut gallery. Third: the PGA Tour must group them together Thursday and Friday, thereby lowering the temperature for the inevitable day when they play their way into a weekend pairing with considerably more at stake.”
  • “Two years after it began, three parties are contributing to this spectacle, none of whom are eager to acknowledge their responsibility. All three have a role in ending it.”
Seriously — check out the spread above. Subscribe to the Golfer’s Journal (or give it as a gift to the golf aficionados in your life!).
8. New PGA Tour members
PGATour.com staff assemble the first of 25 card earners…”The first 25 of 50 available PGA TOUR membership cards for the 2021-22 season were secured on Sunday upon the conclusion of the Korn Ferry Tour’s final Regular Season event, the Pinnacle Bank Championship presented by Aetna, contested at The Club at Indian Creek.”
  • “Stephan Jaeger…City plays from: Chattanooga, Tennessee. Won two events (2020 Albertsons Boise Open presented by Chevron, 2021 Emerald Coast Classic at Sandestin) and posted three runner-up finishes. Making his third trip to the PGA TOUR.”
  • “Mito Pereira…City plays from: Pirque, Chile. Became the 12th player in Korn Ferry Tour history and the first since Wesley Bryan (2016) to achieve the Three-Victory Promotion, as he won the 2020 Country Club de Bogota Championship, 2021 REX Hospital Open, and 2021 BMW Charity Pro-Am presented by SYNNEX Corporation – with the last two making him the 11th player in Tour history to win back-to-back tournaments.”
  • “Chad Ramey…City plays from: Fulton, Mississippi. Earned his first Korn Ferry Tour victory at the 2021 Live and Work in Maine Open, and amassed 21 top-25s en route to his first PGA TOUR card.”
9. Kevin Kisner’s winning WITB
Driver: Callaway GBB (8.5 degrees @9.5)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Blue 6 X
3-wood: Callaway Epic Speed Triple Diamond (15 degrees)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Blue 7 X
Hybrid: Callaway Apex Pro (18 degrees)
Shaft: Aldila Rogue Black 130 MSI 80 TX
Irons: Callaway Apex UT (21, 24 degrees), Callaway Apex Pro 2014 (5-9)
Shafts: Nippon Pro Modus3 120 TX
Wedges: Titleist Vokey SM8 (46-10F) Callaway Jaws Forged (54-12 @52), Vokey Design SM8 WedgeWorks (60-T)
Shafts: Nippon Pro Modus3 125
Putter: Odyssey Exo Seven
Grip: SuperStroke Traxion Tour 2.0
Ball: Titleist Pro V1x
Grips: Golf Pride Tour Velvet

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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