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Watney wins The Barclays, now No. 1 in the FedExCup

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Nick Watney is one of those players that make people say that the talent on Tour is deeper than it ever has been.

The 31-year old put all his gifts on display this week, coming from two strokes back in the final round to win The Barclays Championship, the first round of the PGA Tour’s Playoffs for the FedExCup.

Watney’s final round 69 gave him a four round total of 10-under 274, three strokes ahead of runner-up Brandt Snedeker and four shots clear of third-round leader Sergio Garcia and Dustin Johnson.

Garcia came into the week fresh off his first Tour victory in four years at the Wyndham Championship, and for much of the week it looked like he would be the Tour’s first winner in consecutive weeks since Tiger Woods in 2009. His stellar play had him at 10-under going into the final round, winning over the vocal New York crowds that had ragged him mercilessly in the 2002 and 2009 U.S. Opens.

But Garcia played the last 10 holes in a disastrous 4-over par, while Watney played the same stretch 1-under. The key to Watney’s success was in the numbers; he led the field in greens in regulation and putted confidently on the super-slick Bethpage greens.

“The difference this week was my putting,” Watney said. “I missed a few short ones but I also mad a couple of long ones, but on the whole I think the greens were pretty tough and I putted pretty well.”

Watney’s season had been disappointing until this week, with his best finish coming at the Wells Fargo Chmapionship in early May. But his win this week guarantees him a place in the hunt for the $10 million first prize awarded to the winner of the Playoffs, and also puts him on the radar as Captain Davis Love III prepares to make his four at-large selections for the Ryder Cup team.

Throughout his career, Watney has always seemed capable of great things. The sweet-swinging Californian was a three-time All-American at Fresno State, and has posted five wins in his career. Interestingly, three of his wins have come at venues know for hosting major championships; this year’s Barclays joins wins at Torrey Pines (2009 Buick Invitational) and Congressional (2011 AT&T Invitational).

It was another disappointing weekend for Tiger Woods.  He led the FedExCup points race at the start of the tournament and could have taken over the world No. 1 ranking with a win.  But a back-nine 40 on Sunday erased his chances of contending. Woods tallied a 5-over 76 and tied for 38th at 1-over for the week.

No star shone brighter this week than the host venue itself. If any course can claim the title “America’s Course”, Bethpage Black would be one of the leading contenders. Like any New Yorker, the Long Island track is tough, demanding and loves the spotlight.

It has only hosted three PGA Tour events, a couple of U.S. Opens and the 2012 Barclays. While this week’s event wasn’t a major, it definitely had the intensity and degree of difficulty. Though technology and player fitness has had ten years to catch up since Bethpage Black put an epic beatdown on the entire field in the 2002 U.S. Open, the track would probably need only another inch of length in the rough to get the scores to 2002 levels. While it’s fun to watch the best palyers in the world throw darts at pins and rack up baskets of birdies, it just as fun to watch them wrestle a challenging course that tries to throw them off like a bucking bronco.

Next week takes the players to TPC Boston for the Deutsche Bank Championship, but Garcia will not be in the field. He announced that he will skip the tournament in order to be rested for the remainder of the Playoffs and the upcoming Ryder Cup.

Michael Williams is the contributing editor of Newschannel8 Capital Golf Weekly and Bunkershot.com, as well as a member of the Golf Writers Association of America.

Williams has a reputation as a savvy broadcaster, and as an incisive interviewer and writer. An avid golfer himself, Williams has covered the game of golf and the golf lifestyle including courses, restaurants, travel and sports marketing for publications all over the world. He is currently working with a wide range of outlets in traditional and electronic media, and has produced and hosted “Sticks and Stones” on the Fox Radio network, a critically acclaimed show that combined coverage of the golf world with interviews of the Washington power elite. His work on Newschannel8’s “Capital Golf Weekly” and “SportsTalk” have established him as one of the area’s most trusted sources for golf reporting. Williams has also made numerous radio appearances on “The John Thompson Show,” and a host of other local productions. He is a sought-after speaker and panel moderator, he has recently launched a new partnership with The O Team to create original golf-themed programming and events. Williams is a member of the United States Golf Association and the Golf Writers Association of America.

1 Comment

1 Comment

  1. Troy Vayanos

    Aug 28, 2012 at 6:53 pm

    A great win by Nick Watney and a bit of a surprise. He hasn’t had the most consistent of seasons, at least compared to 2011.

    But securing this victory turns all that around and you would have to say now it has been a very good year.

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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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