News
Final Tune-Up – The FedEx St. Jude Classic
By Scott MacLeod, via Flagstick Golf Magazine (www.flagstick.com)
The United States Open Championship looms next week and with that players are getting in their final preparation for Congressional. Many are choosing to tune-up on the PGA Tour in Memphis while more than a few are taking the week off. That includes fourteen players who were in the field for this week’s PGA Tour event but have withdrawn and made room for those further down the status list.
Few can forget the 2010 FedEx St. Jude Classic which had one of the strangest endings you will ever see in a tour event.
Third-round leader Robert Garrigus entered the final hole of regulation with a three-stroke lead but drove in the hazard down the left side of the hole, hit his third shot in the trees to the left and had to pitch out before wedging to the green and making a triple bogey to force a playoff with Lee Westwood and Robert Karlsson. The 32-year-old native of Nampa, ID, native was then the first player eliminated after driving his ball behind a tree and making bogey on the first extra hole.
Westwood eventually won on the playoff with a birdie three on the fourth playoff hole (No. 18) to defeat Karlsson. Last year’s playoff was the 13th in FedEx St. Jude Classic history and longest at four holes. Prior to 2010, the last playoff at TPC Southwind was in 2008.
In a fun twist, tournament organizers have pairs the three players together for the first three rounds this year.
This event has a new name this year with FedEx stepping in as the title sponsor. Memphis-based FedEx announced its return as title sponsor of the FedEx St. Jude Classic for 2011 in December of 2010 and last month announced a three-year extension, securing title sponsorship for the event through 2014. It’s great security for a tournament that players find to have one of the most laid-back atmospheres on the entire tour, bring with it a ton of entertainment and food possibilities away from the golf action.
Six former winners of the tournament are in the field this week including, as mentioned, Lee Westwood. He is joined by two-time winner David Toms. Also in the field are past winners Brian Gay (2009), Woody Austin (2007), Len Mattiace (2002) and Bob Estes (2001).
Toms has to be considered a favourite with his recent play that included a win at the Crowne Plaza Invitational at Colonial. He is one of nine players in the field who have also won on the PGA Tour in 2011. Those players include Jonathan Byrd (Hyundai Tournament of Champions), Michael Bradley (Puerto Rico Open presented by seepuertorico.com), D.A. Points (AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am), Brandt Snedeker (The Heritage), Brendan Steele (Valero Texas Open), Jhonattan Vegas (Bob Hope Classic), Johnson Wagner (Mayakoba Golf Classic at Riviera Maya), Keegan Bradley (HP Byron Nelson Championship).
Those players don’t give the event a lot of marquee value but the presence of Westwood, the current Number 2 ranked player in the World, should take become the point of focus. Westwood has yet to win a major championship and the preparation provided by this week might be a good indication on whether he is ready to top the field at Congressional. He will look to join Dave Hill (1969-70), Lee Trevino (1971-72) and David Toms (2003-04) as the only players to win consecutive titles at the FedEx St. Jude Classic.
Unfortunately for Westwood history is not on his side. No player has won a PGA TOUR event and then gone on to win the U.S. Open the following week. A total of eight players have won the week before and then gone on to win a major championship the following week, most recently Tiger Woods in 2007 (WGC-Bridgestone Invitational – PGA Championship).
2011 FedEx St. Jude Classic
Dates: June 6-12, 2011
Where: TPC Southwind, Memphis, TN
Par/Yards: 35-35—70 / 7,239
Field: 156
Defending Champion: Lee Westwood
FedExCup Points: 500
Purse: $5,600,000; Winner’s Share: $1,008,000; Format: 72-hole stroke play
News
Most birdies without breaking par – GolfWRXers discuss
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!”
News
Best current stock shaft 2026 – GolfWRXers discuss
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.”
News
GolfWRX’s Father’s Day Gift Guide (2026)
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.
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.
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.
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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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