News

Woods Stands Out in WGC-Cadillac Championship victory

Published

13 years ago

Mar 10, 2013

There were a few stories making their way around the PGA Tour as the World Golf Championships-Cadillac Championship drew to a close. One was the newly-discovered “Stricker Method,” in which a golfer reduces his schedule to spend more time with his family, then proceeds to challenge in every event he plays. Another was the trial period of Rory McIlroy, which may have ended with his 7-under 65 on Sunday at Doral. No doubt the early-season success of new faces like Michael Thompson, Russell Henley and John Merrick has piqued the interest of golf followers across the nation.

And then we consider the first two-time winner of the 2013 Tour season. Tiger Woods won by four strokes at the Farmers Insurance Open in late January and emerged as champion again this week, by two strokes over the elite field at the WGC-Cadillac Championship. His play has sparked embers of debate over whether he will continue to win common events (adding to his total of 76 Tour victories) or if he is prepared to return to the podium reserved for major championship winners. The second week of April can’t arrive quickly enough.

If Tiger Woods were a boxer, the judges would have awarded him a TKO based on winning each of the first three rounds. After signing for 66, 65 and 67 (each tied for low round) the first three days, Tiger arrived at the first tee on Sunday with a four-stroke advantage on the field. His fellow first-round leaders turned in admirable performances, with all finishing in the top 20 — McDowell and Garcia at tied-3, Freddie Jacobson at tied-16 and Bubba Watson at tied-18.

Charl Schwartzel, who matched Woods’ second-round 65, looked poised to mount a Sunday charge after a Saturday 67 brought him to top-five status after the third round. The South African collapsed over his final front nine with four consecutive bogies, on the way to a wretched 75 and a tie for 16th place. Michael Thompson’s third-day 67 brought him even with Schwartzel but the previous week’s winner failed to make a birdie Sunday until No. 15, turning in a taupe 73 for a tied-8 finish.

Over the course of the first 15 holes Sunday, Woods did what we have come to expect him to do: play solid, unspectacular golf; build slightly on his lead and dare the field to chase him down. Woods marked three birdies and 12 pars on his card during that stretch. On Sunday, only three players made seven or more birdies and none of them ever reached Tiger’s area code.

Tigers winning WITB photos

Adam Scott turned in a brilliant final round, mixing eight birdies and no bogeys into a tournament-low 64. McIlroy massaged an eagle and five birdies into a season-low 65. Matteo Manassero stood at -8 along the final fairway before plunging into the waters of a double-bogey and 66 on the day. None of the golfers who stood a chance at dawn’s break were able to muster a challenge, although part-time golfer Steve Stricker made ripples.

Graeme McDowell, Tiger’s partner each of the weekend rounds, balanced four birdies with two bogeys and a closing double to tie for third, five shots off the pace. Phil Mickelson did the same, pairing three bogeys with four birdies to finish in the same position. After a banal start, Stricker ran off four birdies from Nos. 5 through 13 to reach 4-under for the day. As with Mickelson and McDowell (both of whom birdied the first two holes), Stricker was unable to preserve the momentum, closing with five pars for a tidy, second-place check.

Over the course of the week, Tiger Woods notched 27 birdies into his bag strap, on the way to claiming career Tour title No. 27. His victory was his fourth at Doral. Statistically, Woods was second in the field in putts per round and strokes gained putting. He tied for seventh in greens in regulation and bested half the field in driving distance and accuracy. Most importantly, Woods closed out his second of two 54-hole leads of the 2013 Tour season. Final rounds of 72 and 71 were good enough for victory at San Diego and Miami.

These benign closing efforts beg the only question that remains: What will Tiger do when pushed in the final round? Will he elevate his game yet again or will he succumb to the pressure? Career trends point toward the former, although the later would certainly make for a more compelling story (as in, we might finally have some drama.)

Despite the occasional Rich Beem or Y.E. Yang, the only a handful players on Tour today, including Mickelson and McIlroy have a chance to overcome Woods. Both might be rounding into form, though it is safe to say that Tiger will be the betting favorite at Augusta National for the Masters. If Woods can preserve the long game he showed at Doral and continue to putt with authority and confidence, his chances of being fitted for a fifth green jacket grow stronger.

Tigers winning WITB photos

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.