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Morning 9: Villegas a winner again | Homa victorious at Nedbank | Ko ends poor season early

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By Ben Alberstadt with Gianni Magliocco.

For comments: [email protected]

Good Monday morning, golf fans, as Camilo Villegas returned to the winner’s circle on Sunday at the Butterfield Bermuda Championship.

1. Camilo concludes 9-year drought

Golfweek’s Adam Woodard…”After a grueling 3,374 days, Camilo Villegas is once again a winner on the PGA Tour.”

  • “The 41-year-old shot a 6-under 65 in the final round on Sunday at Port Royal Golf Course in Southampton, Bermuda, to win the 2023 Butterfield Bermuda Championship at 24 under by two shots over Alex Noren (68). The win is the fifth of Villegas’ PGA Tour career and first since the 2014 Wyndham Championship.”
  • “Entering the week Villegas had missed seven cuts across 11 starts on Tour this season but did earn a T-2 at last week’s 2023 World Wide Technology Championship in Mexico.”
Full piece.

2. Homa wins in South Africa

AP report…”Homa shot a 6-under 66 to win the Nedbank Golf Challenge in South Africa on Sunday for his first win abroad.”

  • “Homa finished at 19 under for the tournament, four shots ahead of Nicolai Hojgaard to add to his six PGA TOUR career titles.”
  • “Homa secured the win with a final round that included six birdies, an eagle and two bogeys. He pulled away at the top after consecutive birdies on the 15th and 16th holes, where he drained a 38-footer on the par 3.”
Full piece.

3. Alker wins Schwab Cup

AP report…” Steven Alker had to get up-and-down for par on the last three holes for a 1-under 70 that allowed him to hang on and win the Charles Schwab Cup Championship on Sunday and a payoff of just over $1 million.”

  • “Alker won the Schwab Cup a year ago. This time he did the next best thing.”
  • “Steve Stricker clinched the season points list before the postseason began. By winning at Phoenix Country Club, Alker finished second in the Schwab Cup for a $500,000 bonus. The 52-year-old from New Zealand won $528,000 for the tournament, his seventh title on the PGA Tour Champions.”
Full piece.

4. Lilia Vu takes The Annika

AP report…”Lilia Vu seized momentum early with three birdies and closed with a 4-under 66 to win The Annika on Sunday for her fourth victory of 2023, allowing the American to regain the No. 1 ranking in the race for LPGA player of the year.”

  • “Vu started the final round at Pelican Golf Club 3 shots behind Emily Kristine Pedersen, opened with three birdies in six holes and then pulled away with crisp approach shots that set up back-to-back birdies to pull away.”
Full piece.

5. “He’s moving stuff!” Rule face-off at Hong Kong Open

Golf Channel’s Brentey Romine…”It took a minute or so for Khongwatmai to locate his Callaway ball. Upon finding it, and with a rules official watching, Khongwatmai and his caddie worked to remove a large, dead tree branch from his intended area of play and later a smaller branch closer to the ball. This took about 15 minutes, as Campbell repeatedly argued that Khongwatmai and his caddie were breaking and moving other foliage while extracting the dead stuff.”

  • “He’s moving stuff all around it!” Campbell yelled, motioning toward a big clump of green vines in front of Khongwatmai’s ball. “How is this green? This is obviously living.”
  • “Campbell eventually says, “I think we’re going to need to get another official.”
  • “At that point, Khongwatmai claps back at Campbell and Smith: “You guys happy? If you’re not happy I’m not going to do it.”
  • “As Khongwatmai and his caddie continued to trudge around in the brush, there were several sounds of what appeared to be branches and such snapping and crunching, causing Campbell to again yell, “He’s just broken those branches there!”
Full piece.

6. Ogletree to return to LIV

Matt Cradock for Golf Monthly…”Along with the New Zealander, there was also success for Andy Ogletree, who has booked his spot on the 2024 LIV Golf League.”

  • “The American, who infamously played in the first LIV Golf tournament at Centurion in 2022 and finished dead last, was dropped from the circuit for that year and was left without anywhere to play. However, the 25-year-old found his place on the Asian Tour and, after a run of excellent results, he finds himself top of the International Series Order of Merit and back with full playing rights on the LIV Golf circuit for 2024.“
Full piece.

7. McIlroy wins Race to Dubai (prior to DP World Tour Championship)

Jimmy Reinman for PGATour.com…”Rory McIlroy is the DP World Tour’s Race to Dubai champion once again. McIlroy’s fifth season-long Race to Dubai title was awarded on points Sunday at the Nedbank Golf Challenge in South Africa after Max Homa secured his first international victory.”

  • “Homa’s win set the stage for McIlroy, 34, to claim his fifth European season-long championship, ensuring that the world No. 2 Northern Irishman cannot be caught by Jon Rahm, who ranks No. 2 on the Race to Dubai into next week’s season-ending DP World Tour Championship.”
Full Piece.

8. Ko ends season early

Beth Ann Nichols for Golfweek…”Lydia Ko’s 10th season on the LPGA has come to an end. The woman who swept the postseason awards last year at the CME Group Tour Championship won’t be in the field to defend her title in Naples, Florida. The former phenom’s glorious comeback campaign flamed out in 2023.”

  • “For all the out-of-the-blue success stories on the LPGA this year, Ko’s struggles are by far the most shocking development. Winless on the LPGA this season, Ko finished 101st on the CME points list. While the top 100 keep their fulls cards for next year, Ko can use her winner’s status to get into plenty of events next year.”
Full Piece.

9. Winning WITB: Camilo Villegas

Driver: Titleist TSi3 (11 degrees, C1 SureFit setting)

Shaft: Project X HZRDUS Smoke Yellow 60 6.0

3-wood: TaylorMade M4 (16.5 degrees)

Shaft: Project X HZRDUS Smoke Red RDX 75 6.0

5-wood: TaylorMade M2 (21 degrees)

Shaft: Project X HZRDUS Yellow 75 6.0

Hybrid: Titleist TSi2 (5, 24 degrees)

Shaft: Project X HZRDUS Black 105 6.5

Irons: Srixon ZX5 Mk II (4, 5), Srixon ZX7 Mk II (6-PW)

Shafts: Project X 6.5

Wedges: Titleist Vokey Design SM9 (54-08M, 60-08M)

Shafts: Project X 6.5

Putter: L.A.B. Golf Mezz.1 Max

Grip: SuperStroke 3.0 17

Grips: Custom Golf Pride MCC

Ball: Titleist Pro V1x

Full WITB.

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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