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Top 30 Or Bust – The BMW Championship

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Now the REAL pressure in the PGA Tour’s FedEx Cup playoff really ratchets up. 70 players have earned the right to play this week’s BMW Championship at Cog Hill Golf & Country Club in the suburbs of Chicago but by week’s end less than half of them, 30 to be exact, will be moving on with a chance to win the FedEx Cup.

With another 2500 points up for grabs this week it looks as if it will take 1532 of them to advance to Georgia for the season’s final showdown. That will be a tough stretch for many players including Tiger Woods, Kevin Streelman and Andres Romero. If either of the three can make it to East Lake they will become the first players to play their way in from beyond the 100th position. For Woods, who now sits at 51st in FedEx Cup Points, he will likely need a fifth place or better to advance but a win could shoot him up as high as 2nd place and put him in fine position to win it all. It is not unlikely as he is the defending champion and says he is very comfortable with the venue. A win this week would give him six BMW Championships on his resume.

Brendt Snedeker, coming off an indifferent final round at the Deustche Bank Championship, is hoping for redemption this week. In 2009 he played his way out of the top 30 with a final hole 4-putt at the BMW Championship. This week he sits at 31st place in the points and has the chance to play his way in to the Tour Championship.

There is no cut at the BMW Championship so every player will have a chance to make a weekend charge for the win and higher FedEx Cup point positioning.

As much as the points are to be considered the BMW Championship offers more than standings for the assembled field. A purse of $7.5 million includes a top prize of $1.35 million and a new ride from the BMW stable.

Players will face a stern Dubsdread No. 4 course at Cog Hill recently reworked to the tune of $5.2 million by Rees Jones (2009) who built on the 1964 design of Joe Lee, Dick Wilson, and Rocky Roquemore. The changes included restructuring of all the green and tee complexes, reshaping of the fairways and the addition of a risk-reward pond on the 7th hole. At 7,616 yards (Slope 152, Rating 78.1) and playing to a par of 71 players will have nearly 100 bunkers to traverse – many repositioned and resculpted during the renovation. A sub-air system on all greens, including the putting green, allows ultimate control of the putting surfaces – even if rain should dampen the festivities.

If you are looking for a game-changer hole this week make note of the 15th hole, the shortest par five at just 526 yards (the two other par fives measure over 600 yards) where eagles should rear up on a regular basis. It is the best scoring opportunity on the way into the clubhouse as players face a few stern par fours on the way in including the 18th which now measures just under 500 yards.

There are six past BMW Championship winners in the field this week but just four of them have won on the Cog Hill layout – Steve Stricker, Tiger Woods, Jim Furyk, and Stephen Ames with Woods as the only victor on the course with the current design. They are all threats this week as is Matt Kuchar. The FedEx Cup Points leader won his U.S. Amateur title here in 1997.

Golf Channel has early round television coverage while NBC picks up the work over the weekend.

This report provided to GolfWRX.com by Flagstick Golf Magazine (www.flagstick.com)

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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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