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Morning 9: Donald: Sergio understands omission | Women’s college history maker | Rory rues bad swings

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By Ben Alberstadt with Gianni Magliocco.

For comments: [email protected]

Good Tuesday morning, golf fans, as we turn our attention to the Fortinet Championship with the Ryder Cup right around the corner.

1. Fighting for their cards this fall

Brentley Romine at Golf Channel rounds up a list of 10 players to keep an eye on, including…

  • “Jimmy Walker: The 2016 PGA champ is playing on his top-50 career-money exemption this season after ending up No. 202 in points last season (the LIV defections actually moved him up nine spots on the career money list). He’s not cracked the top 150 in the past four seasons, though his PGA win has allowed him to keep his card while he’s struggled with his game and health (he was diagnosed with Lyme disease shortly after that win at Baltusrol). This season has been Walker’s best since 2017-18 as he’s compiled six top-25s, though no top-10s.”
  • “Scott Piercy: Despite being a full PGA Tour member since 2009 and four-time winner, Piercy sits No. 69 in career money, so he doesn’t have the career-money lifelines at his disposal like other veterans. This season marked the first in which Piercy didn’t log a top-10 since 2013-14, when he played just 12 events because of an arm injury.”
Full piece.

2. UK golf going strong

Johnny Leighfield for Golf Monthly…”Almost half of all adults in the United Kingdom and Ireland engaged with golf in some capacity over the past year, a report commissioned by The Professional Golfers’ Association has found.”

  • “…They found that 22.4 million people – equating to 40 per cent of the UK and Ireland – are involved with golf at any level – whether it be playing a full round outside or trundling through an adventure golf course with friends or family.”
  • “Almost 5 million people reportedly play golf on a course, while 16.3 million take to the driving range, indoor simulators, or the shortest forms of the game for their golfing fix.”
Full piece.

3. Summerhays earns a Fortinet spot

Golf Channel’s Brentley Romine…”Arizona State junior Preston Summerhays is having himself quite the month.”

  • “Summerhays went 2-1-1 two weekends ago at the Walker Cup to help the U.S. to victory at St. Andrews, and on Sunday he punched his ticket to the Fortinet Championship.”
  • “A spot in this week’s PGA Tour field at Silverado Resort in Napa, California, was up for grabs for the individual winner of the Sahalee Players Championship, the first college event of the fall for the participating teams. Summerhays used a 5-under 67 in Saturday afternoon’s second round to shoot 5 under for 54 holes. He then ousted Illinois freshman Max Herendeen in a playoff to earn the Tour invite.”
  • “Illinois, though, got the upper hand in the team portion, carding 1 under at Sahalee Country Club in Sammamish, Washington, to edge the third-ranked Sun Devils by eight shots. Host Washington finished third, followed by Arizona, Duke, and co-sixth-place teams Texas and Texas Tech.”
Full piece.

4. Rory rues “bad swings”

BBC report…”Rory McIlroy has lamented some “bad swings” which proved costly in denying the Northern Irishman a potential second Irish Open win of his career.”

  • “The world number two was well in contention to repeat his 2016 success at the K Club but found the water four times on the final day.”
  • “McIlroy ended on nine under par, five behind winner Vincent Norrman.”
  • “The two balls in the water at 16, that was my race run,” reflected McIlroy of his lost opportunity on Sunday.
  • “Just a couple of bad swings. Seven and 16 this week have kind of been my bogey holes. I’ve hit six balls in the water in those two holes this week,” added the four-time major winner.
  • “That’s basically what did me in this week, but there was some good stuff in there, positive signs.”
Full piece.

5. The thrill of victory, the agony of defeat

6. “Shark hunting”

Our Matt Vincenzi…”On Sunday, Sir Nick Faldo took a swipe at LIV Golf CEO Greg Norman on his X account.”

  • “In the video, Faldo is wearing a shirt that says, “Shark Fishing”. The six-time major champion was asked by his wife, Lindsay, when was the last time he went shark hunting.”
  • “1996”, Nick responded. “April, ’96 was my last shark hunt”, he added with a sheepish grin.
  • “How’d it go?” Lindsay replied.
  • “I did well. I didn’t need a bigger boat if you know what I mean.”
  • “Faldo was clearly talking about the famous 1996 Masters where Greg Norman famously blew a six-shot lead in the final round of which Faldo took advantage to win a green jacket.”
Full piece.

7. History maker

Beth Ann Nichols for Golfweek…”North Carolina State’s Lauren Olivares Leon made college golf history in the opening round of the Cougar Classic, becoming the first woman to shoot 60. The round of 11 under at Yeamans Hall Club included 13 birdies and two bogeys. A total of 17 men have shot 60 in collegiate events.”

  • “Golfstat’s live scoring originally had Olivares Leon down for a 59 – a number that no male or female collegiate player has ever shot. There was a scoring error, however, on the seventh hole. Golfstat had Olivares Leon down for a birdie, though she’d made par. The score was noted correctly on her official card.”
Full piece.

8. Donald: Sergio understands omission

AP report…”It’s been more than a quarter century since Sergio Garcia wasn’t part of Europe’s Ryder Cup team.”

  • “The energetic Spaniard, who joined the Saudi-backed LIV Golf tour, knew what was coming, though, when captain Luke Donald called recently to let him know that he wouldn’t be taking part in this year’s event.”
  • “Not as one of Europe’s 12 players. Nor as one of Donald’s five vice captains.”
  • “We’ve chatted a little bit and he certainly wishes the team all the best. It’s different for me (too),” Donald said Monday after his entire team practiced at the Marco Simone club outside Rome that will host the Ryder Cup from Sept. 29-Oct 1.”
Full piece.

9. Fortinet photos

  • Check out all of our galleries from this week’s Tour event!
Full piece.

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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