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Morning 9: Hatton to make LIV debut this week | New Cam Smith teammate? | Pebble Beach photos

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By Ben Alberstadt with Gianni Magliocco.

For comments: [email protected]

Good Wednesday morning, golf fans, as we gear up for the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am.

1. Senate inquiry continues: Subcommittee subpoenas documents from U.S.-based PIF consultants

ESPN’s Mark Schlabach…The U.S. Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations has subpoenaed documents from four U.S.-based consultants working for Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, a move the country’s sovereign wealth fund is attempting to block in lawsuits filed in a Saudi Arabian court.

  • In a letter to Public Investment Fund governor Yasir Al-Rumayyan on Monday, Senate subcommittee chairman Richard Blumenthal, a senator from Connecticut, and ranking member Ron Johnson, a senator from Wisconsin, accused PIF of “unprecedented” attempts to hamper the subcommittee’s inquiry into PIF’s “proposed takeover of professional golf” in the U.S. The PIF is funding the LIV Golf League as a PGA Tour rival.
  • “The subpoenas to the PIF Consultants were issued after months during which you, the PIF, and the PIF Consultants repeatedly declined to voluntarily testify or provide any substantive, responsive information or records to the Subcommittee,” the senators wrote in the letter to Al-Rumayyan.
Full piece.
2. Hatton to debut for LIV this week

BBC report…”Tyrrell Hatton will make his LIV Golf debut in Mexico this week after becoming the latest high-profile golfer to join the Saudi Arabia-backed tour.”

  • “The Englishman is the current world number 16 and was part of Europe’s 2023 Ryder Cup-winning team in Rome.”
  • “The 32-year-old, who has won six times on the DP World Tour and once on the PGA Tour, will join Masters champion Jon Rahm’s Legion XIII team.”
Full piece.
3. New Cam Smith teammate?

Our Matt Vincenzi…”A leaked photo has appeared to shed light on LIV Golf’s next signing, with Cameron Smith’s Ripper GC set to welcome fellow Australian Lucas Herbert to his side. News Corp published the photo of Lucas Herbert wearing Ripper GC attire alongside team captain Cam Smith in Mexico this week.”

Full piece.
4. “It is what it is”

Golf Channel’s Rex Hoggard…”Entering its second full season, LIV Golf has divided the sport and created polarizing debates, but news that Hatton’s move to the circuit was official was met, at least in one corner, by indifference.”

  • “I feel like at this point, I’m not over it, it’s just kind of is what it is,” Justin Thomas said Tuesday at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am. “I’ve definitely found that out over this whole process, that people obviously are going to think about it differently than others, but there’s just people that they’re going to make decisions for what they think is best.
  • “I might disagree with maybe some of them, but I think at the end of the day, if that’s what Tyrrell thinks is best for him, then that’s what he’s got to do.”
Full piece.
5. Crosby weather ahead at Pebble

Golf Channel’s Rex Hoggard…”Wednesday’s forecast on the Monterey Peninsula calls for a 100 percent chance of rain as a cold front moves through the area with up to an inch of rain, wind gusts to 45 mph and a high temperature around 59 degrees expected.”

  • “Conditions improve for the first round on Thursday, but only slightly, with an 80 percent chance of rain and a high of 53. The forecast for Day 1 also calls for up to 1½ inches of rain.”
  • “Friday’s forecast has a 70 percent chance of rain and although conditions are predicted to improve for Round 3, the model calls for an 80 percent chance of showers and wind gusts up to 50 mph on Sunday.”
Full Piece.
6. Rory: Don’t punish LIV pros

Michael McEwan for Bunkered…”Rory McIlroy insists LIV golfers wishing to return to play on the PGA Tour should not face punishment.

  • “I think life is about choices,” said McIlroy. “Guys made choices to go and play LIV, guys made choices to stay here. If people still have eligibility on this tour and they want to come back and play or you want to try and do something, let them come back.
  • “I think it’s hard to punish people. I don’t think there should be a punishment. Obviously I’ve changed my tune on that because I see where golf is and I see that having a diminished PGA Tour and having a diminished LIV Tour or anything else is bad for both parties.
  • “It would be much better being together and moving forward together for the good of the game. That’s my opinion of it. The faster that we can all get back together and start to play and start to have the strongest fields possible I think is great for golf.””
Full Piece.
7. Pebble Beach photos

  • Check out all of our galleries from this week’s 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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