News

The Open Championship 2022: Cameron Smith claims his ear of corn

Published

4 years ago

Jul 17, 2022

Ronald Montesano

A daimen-icker in a thrave

’S a sma’ request:

I’ll get a blessin wi’ the lave,

An’ never miss ’t!

Thus wrote Robert Burns, god-poet of Scotland, in his “To a Mouse,” third stanza. Thus did Cameron Smith claim his ear of corn, never to be missed, something of a small request. If this 150th celebration of The Open Championship were truly a loss, it will take us many a year to determine what sort of loss it was.

Golf is a game of dualities, duos, and duels. For each yin, there is a yang. For each Webb, there is a Sorenstam; for each Mediate, a Woods. For each Turnberry 1977, there is a Whistling Straits 1998. Golf could never be, without the one and the other. Thus it was in 2022, when the pair we thought would dominate round three, instead became the pair that dominated round four.

When Hovland and McIlroy stole the show on Saturday at the Old Course, we 100% expected them to do the same on Sunday. When Messrs. Smith and Young, aka The Camerons, drifted away along the crests of the North Sea, we mostly anticipated that they would be footnotes on Sunday. As it is with golf at Old Tom’s front lawn, it was precisely the opposite. As Hovland foundered and McIlroy struggled to find the inspiration to a 68 that would have won this gem outright, Cameron Smith and Cameron Young battled history and the present, each other and their own selves, and gave us the final major championship for younger males that we craved. For this, we must be grateful.

The temerity of Cameron Young, to open and close his front nine ’round the Old Course with bogeys, and still manage a 34. To add three birdies and an unscriptable eagle at the last, for 31 coming home, for 65 on the day, for minus-19 strokes on the week. The Old Course makes 19 under seem what it is: a feat and an achievement. Cameron Young’s third-place finish at May’s PGA Championship at Southern Hills was a marvel. His work over the links this week was more special.

You see, Young led this tournament after round one. He stayed the course during round two, and held steady during round three. His bookends of 64 and 65 are scorecards that he should nail to the wall of every home he occupies. Whether they lead to greater things, or are the greatest thing, they are more than any of us deserves, and they are to be cherished.

Even more brazen was the work that Cameron Smith put in over the final day at St. Andrews. Young was at least human with his bogeys. Smith was immortal with his eight birdies and ten pars on the day. He turned, like Young, in 34 shots. He then posted four consecutive birdies as he passed the loop, making a ridiculous one at the toughest hole on the week, the 13th. This was the hole that Bob McIntyre confessed, offered no plan to he and his caddy. And then, Smith held steady over the next three holes, somehow conjuring a par save from a place not known to the faint of heart on Road, the 17th hole.

'Oh my goodness'

Cam Smith with nerves of steel ?#The150thOpen pic.twitter.com/DQ3atZKXTY

— The Open (@TheOpen) July 17, 2022

Then did Smith drive his ball into the valley of sin on Home, where deceased remains lie beneath the putting surface. Summoning his inner Costantino Rocca, Smith calmly navigated the churning soils of the green and surrounds, and putted from what seemed like forever, to a manageable 28 inches. He holed for three, a total of 20-below par, and an ear of corn more than the other Cameron.

A stunning 64 for Cam Smith, a worthy Champion?#The150thOpen pic.twitter.com/PqGUMtcvYq

— The Open (@TheOpen) July 17, 2022

Recalling what was written earlier about duality, Smith is now the second mullet to win over these hallowed grounds. He joins John Daly, now known as Old Saint Nick, in the Business In The Front, Party In The Back brigade. Somehow, it’s fitting. Raise your hands to the champion golfer of the year for 2022, Cameron Smith of Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.

News

Most birdies without breaking par – GolfWRXers discuss

Published

9 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

9 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.