News

Morning 9: 16-year-old low am at Chevron | Slow play solution? | Watson’s grow the game initiative

Published

3 years ago

Apr 25, 2023

Ben A

By Ben Alberstadt with Gianni Magliocco.

For comments: [email protected]

Good Tuesday morning, golf fans, as we head south of the border for the 2023 Mexico Open.

1. ICYMI: 16-year-old took low am at Chevron

Golf Channel’s Colby Powell…”Eila Galitsky closed her first start at a major championship the same way she began, with a 2-under 70 that left her as the lowest amateur on the leaderboard at the Chevron Championship.”

…”The 16-year-old earned her way into the Chevron by winning the Asia-Pacific Women’s Amateur by five shots over Korea’s Minsol Kim. That victory will also get Galitsky into the AIG Women’s Open and Amundi Evian Championship later this year.”

Full piece.

2. Leaving with an injury vs. leaving with a trophy

Golf Channel’s Brentley Romine…”Last year, Hardy departed New Orleans with an injured left wrist heavily wrapped. On Sunday, that same hand was helping partner Davis Riley lift a PGA Tour trophy for the first time as winners of the Zurich Classic.”

“I was actually in the hospital probably at this point last year,” Hardy said, “so it’s a lot better place to be at here.”

“Hardy had made just five of 13 cuts with no top-25s as a PGA Tour rookie when he arrived at TPC Louisiana for last year’s event, in which he teamed up with Curtis Thompson. On the fourth hole of his final round, Hardy hit a wedge shot and felt a pop in his wrist. He played on to a T-21 finish, but by the next morning his wrist had swelled.”

“An MRI at a nearby hospital revealed an ECU tendon subluxation and torn subsheath. Hardy didn’t need surgery, but he did go 30 days without hitting a ball and missed five weeks of action.”

Full piece.

3. Chevron champion Lilia Vu’s incredible family saga

Kent Paisley at Golf Digest…“The journey started two generations prior, with her maternal grandfather, Dinh Du, getting his family out of war-torn Vietnam. For months in 1982, seven years after the conclusion of the Vietnam War, he hid away in the countryside to slowly build a boat. He risked his life making the craft to give his family a chance to escape. Then, one night, he told everyone it was time to go.

“My dad said that we need to get out of Vietnam to get a better life,” Vu’s mom, Kieu Thuy, said on Sunday. “We chose America, and luckily, we did it.”

“Du built a boat for 54 people. As the craft took off, people from the shore swam to climb on aboard. Du turned no one away, ending up with 82 souls searching for a new life. Hope started to fade as the boat leaked two days into the journey. Du fired off flares hoping for anyone to help them.”

“Fortunately, the USS Brewton, a United States Navy warship, saw Du’s flares. They rescued everyone on the boat.”

Full piece.

4. Tom Watson’s grow the game initiative

Golf Digest’s Dave Shedloski…”Watson, 73, can’t turn back the clock and erase carts and buggies, but he can recreate, to some degree, the process by which he was introduced to the game. That is the inspiration for the introduction of Watson Links, a golf mentoring program that gives junior golfers ages 10 to 18 free access to select courses in Watson’s hometown of Kansas City, Mo., accompanied by an adult player who can teach in-play fundamentals, short-game techniques, strategy and etiquette.”

“We finally came to the realization that what these kids need is not just a place to play but somebody to play with who can share their knowledge of the game while they are on a golf course,” the eight-time major winner said. “That’s how you get them interested, turn them into golfers, right? That’s how I grew up. I grew up with my father taking me on the golf course when I was 6 years old. We’d go play three holes. And I’d hang around with his friends. At a young age I had all these players who were passionate about golf helping me to understand what it was all about.”

“After a modest trial rollout last year, Watson Links is set for its first full summer, offering at this writing 900 free nine-hole rounds staring May 1. That does not include the complimentary rounds for the mentors, who must undergo an extensive vetting process before being approved to fill out a foursome. Tee times are paid for via course donations and the support of Watson’s charitable foundation.”

Full piece.

5. Michael Kim’s slow play proposal

Full piece.

6. Florida Gators win SEC men’s title

Kevin Broackway for the Gainseville Sun…“It came down to the 18th hole, but the Florida Gators men’s golf team got a clutch putt from John DuBois to upset Vanderbilt and win the 2023 SEC Championship at the Sea Island Golf Club in St. Simon’s Island, Ga.

“It was Florida’s first SEC men’s golf title since 2011 and first under head coach J.C. Deacon, who was hired in 2014.”

“I’m so proud of the culture we have and the family we’re building,” Deacon said. “This is definitely for the Gator Nation.”

Full piece.

7. Last week’s winners WD from Mexico Open

Reuters Report…”Nick Hardy and Davis Riley withdrew from this week’s PGA Tour stop, the Mexico Open at Vidanta, on Monday after winning the Zurich Classic of New Orleans on Sunday.”

“No reason was given for the withdrawals.”

“It marks the first time since last November that a PGA Tour winner withdrew from an event he was scheduled to play the following week, Golfweek reported.”

Full piece.

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.