News

Tour Rundown: Keegan captures first W in 4 years | Otaegui earns his 4th

Published

4 years ago

Oct 16, 2022

This writer doesn’t mind admitting that he feels conflicted over the state of professional golf in today’s world. It’s challenging to separate personal feelings from professional writing, especially when the topic moves from mildly controversial to polarizing. Such is the case with the LIV Golf enterprise. For the first time this year, a member of the collective won an event on one of the world’s major tours. Much debate took place over the weekend, about how the DP World Tour should have handled promotion of that golfer’s performance. Nothing is ever certain, and little is anticipated with accuracy. This week’s Tour Rundown focuses its lens on three events across the globe and strives for balanced, honorable writing.

PGA Tour: Zozo is Keegan’s first win in four years

Keegan Bradley will one day be more than a footnote in golf’s history. The gangly, broomstick-wielding golfer rose to the top of the game in the early 2010s, thanks in part to uncanny putting with the chest-anchor method. Six years of scarcity ensued until his fourth win arrived in 2018. Another four years passed before the New England native won again, this time in Japan.

Eyes this week were on Rickie Fowler, who reportedly had reunited with swing coach Butch Harmon, and stood on the brink of a drought-cleanse of his own. Fowler also has five wins to his credit, but none since 2019. On the strength of a second-round 63, Fowler leaped to the top of the leaderboard, and his 66 in round three kept him there.

Bradley and Fowler went at it on Sunday in Chiba. Keegan was 3 under on the day, and cruising toward victory, until a bogey at the par-5 14th slowed his roll. Another at 16 dropped him back to a tie with Andrew Putnam, with Fowler one behind. Bradley hit a decent approach to the 17th, then rolled in the putt for birdie, to return to 15 deep. Putnam closed bogey-birdie to tie Fowler, who posted birdie at the last to finish oh-so-close.

Clutch on the 17th ?@Keegan_Bradley birdies to take a 2-shot lead at 15-under. pic.twitter.com/wNSv3j1uVM

— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) October 16, 2022

DP World Tour: Otaegui earns fourth DP World Tour title at Valderrama

It was a nice, two-week stretch in Spain for the Vizcaya contingent. After fellow Basque Jon Rahm earned a Spanish Open title last week in Madrid, Adrián Otaegui decided to get in on the action in Andalucía. Otaegui surged far ahead of 36-hole co-leader Min Woo Lee with a sparkling 64. The questions that lurked were, could the 29-year-old Iberian hold on to his six-shot advantage? The answer was a definitive Bai.

The chasers needed the leader to go out in something-over-par on the outward nine, to have any shot at drama. When he turned in 3-under 32, Otaegui needed only to cross the finish line, to secure his first title in his home country. Previous titles had come in Scotland (twice) and Belgium. At the 11th, Otaegui played from rough to rough to rough, ultimately making bogey at the par 5 hole. This would prove to be his only stumble on day four, and a final birdie at the home hole gave him a six-shot victory over Sweden’s Joakim Lagergren. Only South Africa’s Zander Lombard played better than the champion on Sunday, and Lombard never figured in the title chase.

A birdie at the last for a six shot victory, setting the tournament record at -19 ?@adrianotaegui | #EDAM2022 pic.twitter.com/2e4nCmSD6Z

— DP World Tour (@DPWorldTour) October 16, 2022

PGA Tour Champions: Back-and-forth at SAS becomes Couples runaway

If you thought that the five consecutive birdies that Fred Couples made to close the front nine were impressive, what was your take on the SEVEN CONSECUTIVE BIRDIES that he made to close the inward half? When we tuned in, Jerry Kelly had taken the lead and Couples had yet to make a birdie through four holes. Not saying that we were the lucky charm, but his dual runs suggest that we were 😉

Couples posted the first 60 of the 2022 season on PGA Tour Champions, and it could not have come at a better time. More than 60 months had passed since Boom Boom had last won on the circuit, and he certainly could have been forgiven for wondering if his time on the victory podium was done. With the 12 birdies, Couples finished at 20 under par, six shots clear of his closest pursuer. Forgive him if he didn’t want a wake-up call from his dream round. Expect a run on yellow golf balls this week.

As for Steven Alker (second place at -14) and Kelly (third place at -12), they certainly had to wonder what runaway shopping cart blew by them at two hundred miles per hour. The tour moves on to the Country Club of Virginia for the Dominion Energy Charity Classic this week.

Golf at its finest.@FredCouplesGolf is set up for his seventh straight birdie ? pic.twitter.com/G1bmC292aR

— PGA TOUR Champions (@ChampionsTour) October 16, 2022

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

10 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.