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Tour Rundown: Knapp wins in Mexico, two in a row for Patty T

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Victory is measured in innumerable ways. Trophies go to the low golfer, but other contestants find goals and achievements to measure their success. Ronald Rugumayo became the first golfer from Uganda to pass a 36-hole cut on the DP World Tour this week. Rugumayo properly read and properly hit a six-feet birdie putt on his 36th hole, to make the cut on the number. He would ultimately earn the 71st spot, but his rounds of 72-70-71-73 are immemorial. There’s not better way to begin a Tour Rundown, than with a few words from Uganda’s top golfer.

PGA Tour: Jake Knapp goes to Mexico for a spring break celebration

After four years in Los Angeles, Jake Knapp left UCLA for a life of travel and tournaments. Knapp won thrice on what became PGA Tour Canada and is now PGA Tour Americas. His smooth swing and easy tempo, combined with a beachcomber look, have made him the flavor of the month for early 2024. Winning in Mexico will certainly thrust him closer to the bright, hot spotlight.

Knapp’s middle rounds of 64-63 gave him a bit of cushion for Sunday, and he made good use of it. Even when Finland’s Sami Valinaki made eagle-two at the 7th to tie for first, Knapp kept the rudder steady. Valimaki came home in plus-one 37, while Knapp closed with one-under 35. Razor-thin margins win victories, but with his good-luck mustache, we don’t expect Knapp will see that razor anytime soon.

LPGA: Patty T wins for second consecutive week

In 2021, Patty Tavatanakit burst onto the LPGA scene with a victory at the ANA Inspiration. When your first tour title is also a major, expectations immediately rise. It took another three years for the golfer from Thailand to earn win number two, but win number three was waiting in the wings. Like Jake Knapp, Tavatanakit competed and studied at UCLA, then left for the professional ranks. Unlike Knapp, her success came much sooner.

After that ANA win, Tavatanakit battled through expectations for over two years. Last week, PT won by seven at the Aramco Ladies International. This week, in her home country, Patty T delighted the home crowd with a 21-under-par performance. It was good enough to edge out another young phenom, Albane Valenzuela, by one. With all numbers tied at the last, Tavatanakit got up and down for birdie, for the victory.

DP World Tour: DVD wins over Beta in Kenya

Videotape isn’t making a comeback, but for those of a certain generation, the war between DVD and Betamax still has open wounds. Darius van Driel, who will probably not be known as DVD in this lifetime, earned his first DP World Tour title on the continent of Africa. The Magical Kenya Open became quite magical for the golfer from Holland, as he closed with 67 for a two-shot win over England’s Joe Dean.

For the second time this week, Van Driel added voltage to his round with an eagle at the par-five 10th hole. Despite bogey at 11, he was able to harness two more birdies coming home, to secure victory. As for Dean, there wasn’t much that he could do. The English lad posted five birdies over the final ten holes, but could move no closer than a tie for second with Spain’s Nacho Elvira. Close behind was Nacho’s younger brother, Manuel, in a tie for fourth position.

PGA Tour Champions: Argentina smiles as González wins for azulceleste

Ricardo González has played a lot of golf, all around the world. Prior to Sunday, the Argentine had won 28 times across the world’s circuits, but never in a PGA Tour event. It’s fitting that González claimed his maiden PGA Tour Champions victory in Morocco, given his status as an itinerant golfer.

The top four golfers at the Trophy Hassan II came from outside the USA. González was chased, but never caught, by Denmark’s Thomas Bjorn, Korea’s Y.E. Yang, and Australia’s Mark Hensby. Yang held the lead with one round to play, but could not find the necessary form to preserve his station. Two bogeys on the outward half were parried by two birdies, but all the rest were pars. Yang’s even-par 73 earned him a tie for third with Hensby.

No one could sequence a run of birdies until González reached the 13th tee. Steaming from a bogey-six at twelve, don Ricardo ran off four consecutive birdies to jump up by two over Bjorn. After a bogey at 15, the Dane fought back, with birdie at the 17th, to close within one. The 18th was halved with 5s, and Ricardo González was finally a PGA Tour champion.

Asian Tour: Ortiz outburst in Oman

It’s not the sort of outburst we’ve grown accustomed to, these days. Carlos Ortiz “outburst” consisted of a run of seven birdies in nine hole, midway through the fourth round at the Asian Tour’s International Series Oman stop. Ortiz and Louis Oosthuizen trailed 54-hole leader, Joaquin Niemann by one at the start of the final round. Niemann had his struggles, and could not win for a second consecutive week.

The door was opened slightly when the Chilean closed with 67 for 274. Most golfers who sign for a final-day 67 expect to win. Unfortunately for him, Oosthuizen closed with 69 and went one better. to 273. Neither of those totals stood in Ortiz’ way, as he kicked that door wide open with 65 for 272 and an initial title of 2024. About the only shot that didn’t go his way, was the one you’ll see below. Congratulations, Carlos!

Ronald Montesano writes for GolfWRX.com from western New York. He dabbles in coaching golf and teaching Spanish, in addition to scribbling columns on all aspects of golf, from apparel to architecture, from equipment to travel. Follow Ronald on Twitter at @buffalogolfer.

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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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