News

GolfWRX Morning 9: Bryson! | Pro buys putter at Golf Galaxy, shoots 64 | Canada: “Finally!

Published

8 years ago

Aug 27, 2018

Ben Alberstadt

By Ben Alberstadt ([email protected])

August 27, 2018

Good Monday morning, golf fans.

1. Bona fide Bryson

A singular son of science and California, emerging on the PGA Tour with much fanfare, Bryson Dechambeau was always going to have detractors. The man has lived up to the hype.

AP Report…”Staked to a four-shot lead, DeChambeau never let anyone closer than two shots, ended the threat with consecutive birdies and closed with a 2-under 69 to win by four shots over Tony Finau, who also had the Ryder Cup on his mind.”

“DeChambeau never felt entirely in control until he stabbed at a chip short of the 12th green — a shot he had worked on all week and used that one time — that rolled out to 4 feet for a birdie that turned back his only threat.”

“His only wild shot was on the 18th hole, sending his drive so far to the right that it landed in the fairway of a hole that wasn’t being used at Ridgewood Country Club. He still had a good angle to the green, made par and finished at 18-under 266.”

“He won for the second time this year, both against some of the strongest fields. He moved to the top of the FedEx Cup standings and is virtually assured of being one of the top five seeds at the Tour Championship who have a clear shot at the $10 million bonus.”

A bit of context from Golf Channel’s Rex Hoggard...”DeChambeau’s path from mad scientist to big man on campus hasn’t always been simple math. During a particularly heated practice session at last month’s Open Championship his frustration was on full display.”

“The next week at the European Open his struggles continued, as he took a share of the lead into the final round only to shoot 78 and tie for 13th place.”

“From frustrated golfer to a four-stroke victory in a month is a lot of ground to cover, even for DeChambeau….”That struggle is what led me to this point,” DeChambeau said. “That’s the thing that people sometimes miss is the fact that those moments when you’re at your, relatively speaking, lowest, are the times when you can learn the most.”

2. Oh, Canada!

Brooke Henderson won Canada’s national championship…the first victory by a Canadian in the tournament in 45 years.

Randall Mell…”Henderson did so in style, pulling away with four consecutive birdies on the back nine to turn her walk up the 18th fairway into a victory parade.”

“With a strong Canadian following rushing up the last fairway behind her, Henderson added one last birdie to win in a four-shot runaway.”

“After the last putt fell, fellow Canadians roared their approval. They chanted Henderson’s name and broke out in song, filling the air with “O Canada” while the country’s flag waved over the grandstand behind them. Brooke’s father, Dave, doused his daughter with a bottle of champagne as Brooke’s mother, Darlene, watched.”

3. A scientist at the Ryder Cup

ESPN’s Bob Harig thinks the combination of strong play and Tiger Woods’ endorsement make Bryson DeChambeau a lock for a Ryder Cup captain’s pick.

“…the likelihood of Woods’ appointment is surpassed only by DeChambeau’s quirkiness.

“With his four-shot victory Sunday over Tony Finau, DeChambeau all but locked up one of captain Jim Furyk’s four at-large picks. “

“It was his sixth top-five finish of the year and his second victory. And since he finished ninth in the Ryder Cup standings two weeks ago, when the top eight automatically qualified, it is hard to see him being left out now. Getting endorsement from Woods, already a vice captain to Furyk, can’t hurt.”

For his part, here’s what DeChambeau said about his chances of a captain’s pick.

“Whatever happens, happens. I’m going to try and go play my best next week and see what happens after that.”

4. The Playoff update you’ve been pining for

…or not, as the case may be.

Golf Channel’s Jay Coffin…”Six players moved into the top 100 in FedExCup points and qualified for the Dell Technologies Championship, meaning six others were bumped out and saw their seasons come to an abrupt end at The Northern Trust.”

“Nick Watney, Bronson Burgoon, Jhonattan Vegas, Scott Stallings, Danny Lee and Brian Stuard all played their way in with pressure-filled performances.”

“Vegas (T-15) jumped from 123 to 87, Stallings (T-28) went from 107 to 94, Lee (T-34) moved from 103 to 98 and Stuard (T-25) just cracked the top 100, jumping from 118 to 99.”

“Trey Mullinax, Brandon Harkins, Patrick Rodgers, Charl Schwartzel, Alex Cejka and Rory Sabbatini are the six who were in the top 100 at the beginning of the week but will not move on to the second round of the playoffs.”

5. Sneak preview of Golf Galaxy’s next ad

“Buy a putter at Golf Galaxy, shoot 64 in a PGA Tour event!”

That’s what Tyrrell Hatton did at the Northern Trust.

Golfweek’s David Dusek: “Hatton putted poorly in the first three rounds, earning a strokes gained putting of minus-4.978, but using a Ping Sigma G Darby on Sunday he made 130 feet of putts which including a 38-footer for birdie on 15, a 22-foot birdie putt on the 12th hole and two 12-foot birdie putts.”

Hatton tweeted the following with a picture of his Golf Galaxy receipt: “Well that’s the best $172 I’ve ever spent…Was so nice to hole some putts again today, new putter worked it’s magic!”

6. Lynch: Mickelson doesn’t deserve a captain’s pick

Needless to say, Eamon Lynch will not be getting a Christmas card from the Mickelson family.

Lynch writes: “The most debatable captain’s pick of all would be Mickelson.”

“In 20 PGA Tour starts this season, he’s had six top-10s, four of which came in a one-month stretch that culminated in victory at the WGC-Mexico Championship. He’s had none since May…The absence of tangible results is why so much emphasis is placed on Mickelson’s intangibles, his leadership qualities and popularity with younger team members.”

“There are sentimental reasons for picking Mickelson: he’s made every Ryder Cup and Presidents Cup squad since 1994, and he’s just two wins shy of passing Billy Casper as the top U.S. Ryder Cup points scorer ever. Mickelson’s overall record is 18-20-7. Not atrocious, by any means, but shy of what a vaunted team leader might be expected to deliver. (His last three Cups brightened a grim ledger after seven consecutive losing performances.)”

“Mickelson’s leadership and popularity are reasons why he should be in Paris. Current form is why his sticks should stay in California.”

7. The Tiger Report

The most concise analysis of Tiger Woods’ T40 finish at the Northern Trust may have come from a man who followed him for 72 holes. Golf Channel’s Tiger Tracker titled his post mortem on Woods week “drive for show, putt like a schmo.”

A bit of his report: “The biggest frustration for the putts not falling was momentum. No one has ever played on momentum as much as Tiger. So, when one, then two, then three putts don’t fall, he knows he’s on the wrong side of it.”

“That’s what you’re seeing is that I’m close and just one shot here, one shot there, per day, flips momentum,” he said. “It’s just looking for one shot a day here and there, and you just never know when that shot may come.”

“The driving, again, was beautiful. He hit nine of 14 greens and the misses, other than the par-5 13th, were never by much. This has been something that Tiger fans have to be excited about. His performance on Saturday was great, but it may have been even better on Sunday.”

“The shaft change earlier in the week may have been the missing piece of the puzzle. He’s not swinging it as hard and he’s not hitting the ball quite as far but position is more important, and he’s swinging free and easy. It’s great to watch and will be interesting to see how the next month unfolds.”

Full report

8. Strebber!

A glance at the Web.com Tour Playoffs, where Robert Streb pipped Peter Malnati to win the finals opener.

Golf Channel’s Will Gray...”While Streb started the final round of the Nationwide Children’s Hospital Championship in the lead, it was Malnati who surged ahead with five birdies in a seven-hole stretch on the back nine at the Scarlet Course at Ohio State University. But a closing bogey by Malnati opened the door for Streb, who grabbed a share of the lead with a birdie on No. 16 and won with a par on the first extra hole.”
“It’s the third career win for Streb, who captured the 2014 RSM Classic during a career season that included nine top-10 finishes but fell to No. 178 in FedExCup points this season.”
“It was a little rough. I had a couple signs of good golf there late in the year,” Streb said. “Honestly, I usually draw the ball and I spent the whole week trying to cut it. Didn’t necessarily succeed, but the ball stayed in play which was helpful.”

9. How many seconds would it take you to realize?

Speaking with Bryson DeChambeau in the CBS booth, Nick Faldo slipped on his glasses while his partner Jim Nantz was speaking with the tournament winner. Unfortunately, Sir Nick put his specs on upside down…and failed to realize it for several seconds, resulting in the absurd image you see below, which will now live forever on the internet.

News

Most birdies without breaking par – GolfWRXers discuss

Published

15 hours ago

Jun 11, 2026

Will Schube

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.”

News

Best current stock shaft 2026 – GolfWRXers discuss

Published

15 hours 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

3 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.