News

To live and die in LA: Wyndham Clark emerges with US Open title

Published

3 years ago

Jun 19, 2023

A glance at Sunday’s final two pairings would probably have elicited the following ranking: Rory McIlroy and Scottie Scheffler, followed by Rickie Fowler, followed by Wyndham Clark. Both McIlroy and Scheffler hold major titles, while Fowler had oh-so-close finishes throughout his career. Before Sunday, Clark’s T75 finish at the 2021 PGA Championship was his best major performance, barely edging out his T76 at the 2022 Open Championship. In Tinseltown, anything can happen, and some dreams actually become reality. On June 18th, Wyndham Clark posted an even-par round of 70, edging Rory McIlroy by one shot for the 123rd United States Open Championship. As the least likely to triumph among the final four, how exactly did Wyndham Clark defy our odds and claim an entirely-unanticipated title? Let’s try to break it down.

The moment @Wyndham_Clark became a major champion. #USOpen pic.twitter.com/TIlB87G3o3

— U.S. Open (USGA) (@usopengolf) June 19, 2023

The Surface Numbers

Wyndham Clark scored worse each day. That sounds bad, doesn’t it? When your worst score is even par, however, it’s not. Clark opened with 64, just two shots higher than those record-breaking 62s from Rickie Fowler and Xander Schauffele. On Friday, he added three shots to his total for 67, and followed it with 69 on Saturday. A pair of late bogeys on Sunday made the finish more compelling, and took Clark out of the 60s for the first time all week.

Over the course of the week, Wyndham Clark tallied one eagle, nineteen birdies, and eleven bogies. His total of 270 strokes over four days represents the second-lowest total in US Open history. Only McIlroy’s 268 in 2011 exceeded this year’s winning score. Clark tied for second in total birdies this week; only Fowler’s 23 surpassed his number.

As often happens with champions, Clark avoided big numbers this week. There weren’t a lot of double and triple bogies at Los Angeles country club’s North course this week, but it was easy to get on a bogey express and ride it for a distance. Only twice did Clark etch consecutive bogeys on his scorecard, and until Sunday’s late struggle, had no more than three bogeys in one round.

Three. Shot. Lead. @Wyndham_Clark widens his lead after a stellar second shot into No. 14 leads to birdie #USOpen pic.twitter.com/eoEPd6yzsh

— U.S. Open (USGA) (@usopengolf) June 19, 2023

A Deeper Dive

As might be expected, Clark did nothing poorly this week, and only one or two things in an average manner. Over the 72 holes of the tournament, Clark tied for 3rd in putting, and ranked 4th in strokes gained putting. His driving distance was seventh-best, and he ranked 2nd in strokes gained off the tee. Finally, Clark also ranked in the top ten for strokes gained short game and greens in regulation. The only categories that saw average performance from the Colorado native were strokes gained approach (43rd) and fairways hit (24th.) How do you finish 9th in GIR, yet 43rd in SGA? That’s the mystery of statistics.

How did McIlroy not claim a second US Open title? Putting. The Northern Irishman was 1st on the week for strokes gained off the tee, and also for greens in regulation. His putting was not up to the same standard. The 2011 champion was 33rd in strokes gained putting, and tied for 42nd in total putts. Subtract just two putts from his total, and McIlroy raises Victoria.

A similar tale of woe befell third-place finisher Scottie Scheffler. Not as strong from tee to green as the aforementioned two, Scheffler needed to be THE guy on the greens. He wasn’t able to surpass Clark, and finished three back, at seven under par.

As for Fowler, Sunday saw his approach and putting games disappear. Both had been strong all week, elevating him to a tie for first with Clark, through 54 holes. On Saturday, Clark ripped an iron into the 18th hole for a near tap-in birdie. Fowler had a power lip-out from four feet, and made bogey. The two-shot swing was a portent of Sunday’s conclusion. Fowler tallied 18 birdies over the first two days, more than enough to offset his bogey total. On the weekend, the birdie engine blew a gasket, falling to five over the final two days.

Nipped it ?

Big par save from @Wyndham_Clark at No. 11. #USOpen pic.twitter.com/ap1VRUERcP

— U.S. Open (USGA) (@usopengolf) June 19, 2023

What’s next?

What sort of US Open champion will Wyndham Clark be? Will he be a one-and-done major champion, or will he retire with one? Clark’s first PGA Tour title came earlier this year, in May in Charlotte. The Quail Hollow Club has hosted PGA Championships before, and stands as an austere test each spring. Pair that victory with a win at LA North, and we begin to see a pattern. Clark performs well on the sort of courses that make host appearances for half the major titles. Can he translate these performances to Augusta National, or to the links courses of the British Isles? It will be fun to watch.

Calm, cool and collected. #USOpen champion @Wyndham_Clark's unflappable final round is the @Lexus Top Performance of the Day. #LexusGolf pic.twitter.com/x5YGcIt0pf

— U.S. Open (USGA) (@usopengolf) June 19, 2023

News

Best current stock shaft 2026 – GolfWRXers discuss

Published

20 mins 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.

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Tour Photo Galleries

Photos from the 2026 OccuNet Classic

Published

2 days ago

Jun 9, 2026

GolfWRX Staff

With the PGA Tour across the border in Canada this week, GolfWRX Tour Photographer Greg Moore stayed stateside and headed to the OccuNet Classic presented by Amarillo National Bank in Amarillo, Texas.

It’s always interesting to see what the guys are playing on the KFT, and this week certainly hasn’t disappointed so far, with some incredible wedge stamping on display.

Check out links to all our albums below.