News

Preview: Valero Texas Open

Published

13 years ago

Apr 3, 2013

The last opportunity for players to gear up for the season’s first major is in San Antonio, Texas, home of the Valero Texas Open.

Defending champion, Ben Curtis, along with the world’s No. 2 Rory McIlroy, lead an impressive field this week that includes four of the top-15 players in the world.

Curtis is hoping to do what few have been able to accomplish by successfully defending the Texas Open title. Only two players have been able to win back-to-back in the past 13 years of the tournament and both champions are currently playing. Justin Leonard won in 2000 and 2001 and Zach Johnson won in 2008 and 2009.

Curtis won last year over Matt Every and John Huh by two shots. It was a grueling back-nine for Curtis, who fought with his putter most of the way. The win was his first in six years.

Curtis admited this year did not start out as he would have liked, but feels his game has had more positive momentum lately.

Curtis admitted to reporters on Tuesday that he still has plenty to work on this year.

“I haven’t played great this year,” Curtis said in his press conference. “I’ve had a couple of decent finishes, but just trying to get the snow off from home (in Kent, Ohio). It seems like I was playing nicely (before missing the cut at the Shell Houston Open), then the last four holes the driver just disappeared. I hit two of the worst drives I’ve hit all year and it cost me four shots.”

McIlroy is not a stranger with the struggles of the game and like Curtis, is hoping for more positives signs of improvement this week.

McIlroy is a late entry into this week’s field and is delaying his scheduled mission trip to Haiti to work on improving his game. McIlroy believes he really needs one more tournament and a few more competitive rounds before heading to Augusta next week.

McIlroy further explained to the Irish Times why he feels he needs to play this week:

“I’m there to play competitive golf. If it was a par three (competition), I would go and play it just because that’s what I need. I need competitive golf and I need committing to targets. It doesn’t matter if it’s a short course or long course or wide course or whatever, as long as I have a scorecard in my hand, that’s what I need.”

If Rory needs to commit to targets, the Oaks course at TPC San Antonio will force him to do just that. With its narrow fairways, deep bunkers, underbrush and rocks surrounding various holes, the course will force you to focus.

The Texas Open has a rich history. Though it has been held at different venues through the years, San Antonio has always hosted the event since its inaugural year in 1922.

To say this is a warm-up tournament to the Masters seems to undermine the history of the tournament and accomplishments of its past champions. Sam Snead, Ben Hogan and Arnold Palmer have all won in San Antonio.

The player who wins this week will know they have been challenged and will know they are in good company. Just ask Curtis.

News

GolfWRX’s Father’s Day Gift Guide (2026)

Published

1 day 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.

General Albums

2026 OccuNet Classic (KFT) – Monday #1

WITB Albums

Pullout Albums

Luke Potter’s custom Cameron putter – 2026 OccuNet Classic (KFT)

News

From the GolfWRX Classifieds: Scotty Cameron GOLO 6 with BGT Stability Tour2 2022 M Edition

Published

2 days ago

Jun 9, 2026

Will Schube

At GolfWRX, we are a community of like-minded individuals who all experience and express our enjoyment of the game in many ways.

It’s that sense of community that drives day-to-day interactions in the forums on topics that range from best driver to what marker you use to mark your ball. It even allows us to share another thing we all love – buying and selling equipment.

Currently, in our GolfWRX buy/sell/trade (BST) forum, @HuskerFlyer is sharing a Scotty Cameron GOLO with a BGT Stability Tour2 2022 M Edition shaft. While the putter is certainly enviable, the Augusta-inspired shaft is equally noteworthy.

From the listing:

Scotty Cameron Golo 6 with BGT Stability Tour2 2022 M Edition Scotty Headcover 34″ $375

To check out the full listing in our BST forum, head through the link. If you are curious about the rules to participate in the BST Forum, you can learn more here: GolfWRX BST Rules.