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Tour Rundown: Week of Redemption

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The 2018 tour schedules came to a redemptive end on Sunday. Professionals with a variety of sortings-out came to the fore and raised championship prizes in Dubai, Georgia and Florida. There will be golf over the next six weeks, but the majority of it will feature exhibitions of all sizes and flavors. For now, Tour Rundown revels in the achievements of four figures and bids you until later for 2018.

Chucky Three Sticks snatches third tour win on Sea Island

For every tour upstart column, there is a story on a can’t-miss prospect who nearly misses. Charles Howell III (those III are the Three Sticks in his nickname) was the can’t-miss prospect during his time at Oklahoma State. On tour, he lost two playoffs in his first three seasons, but also claimed victory in Virginia. Over the ensuing 15 years, Howell had a successful career, but only one other victory, to go with two more playoff losses. His best finish in a major championship was a tie for 10th in the 2003 PGA Championship. He hasn’t played Augusta since 2012, so the label Journeyman Pro would not be out of place, nor insulting.

On Sunday at Sea Island, Howell held off Patrick Rodgers, a player with a similar pedigree, with birdie on the second hole of a playoff. The victory was the third of his career, following a 2007 playoff win over Phil Mickelson in Los Angeles. 11 years is a long interlude between victories, and the significance was not lost on the titleist. For Rodgers, the bitter taste of defeat is certainly sated by the knowledge that he is one stop closer to his goal of winning on the world’s toughest tour. Over the course of round four, the victor was tied at the top by Webb Simpson, Cameron Champ and Rodgers, but found his winning formula in a blend of grit and patience.

Willett’s resolve is tested on final day of World Tour Championship

Danny Willett has had a rough couple of years. Not as rough as Justin Rose’s early-career run of bad fortune and form, but fairly similar in a compressed manner. The last time he held or shared the third-round lead, he collapsed in round four in Malaysia 2017. His tenacity paid off on Sunday in Dubai, when the 2016 Masters champion claimed his first professional victory in the 2.5 years since that august occasion. Willett held off a charging Matt Wallace and a harder-charging Patrick Reed for a two-stroke victory.

The victory was Willett’s fifth on the European Tour, and second in Dubai. The Yorkshireman birdied three of his final five holes to hold off Wallace (2 under on back nine) and Reed (4 under on inward half) by 2 shots, on 18 under total. Willett’s long road to victory was fraught with challenge, coalescing into a recovery from a serpentine burn on the final hole at Jumeirah Estates. With the form of a champion, he escaped and strode to victory.

Thompson takes Tour Championship title in Naples

Lexi Thompson is an immeasurable talent. We know her height, but not her strength. She has earned 10 tour titles, but lost all three playoffs in which she has participated. Over the summer, she took a one-month leave from tour for a recharging of the soul. With the season-ending tour championship on tap, Thompson had yet to hoist a trophy in 2018.

In Naples this week, she set her sights on her own sort of redemption. Thompson wrested the lead from Amy Olson in round two and set sail for the winner’s harbor. Her final-round 70, her only score outside of the 60s all week, was enough to claim a four-shot victory over upstart Nelly Korda. It took Thompson 40 holes to make her first bogey at the CME Group event on Florida’s west coast. She didn’t make another until round four, when she tripled her week-long total. Three bogeys over 72 holes is an undebatable recipe for success. For Thompson, it validated her decision to put self ahead of expectations, and doubtless sends her into the off-season in a proper frame of body and mind. In the year-long race for tour supremacy, world number one Ariya Jutanugarn rode a final-round 66 to victory.

Abraham Ancer Aces Australia Open Assessment

We couldn’t let 2018 drift away without one last run at alliteration. Abraham Ancer is a rising star for whom success was neither predicted nor obvious. He has played professionally for five years, working his way from Odessa College and the University of Oklahoma, to the Web.Com tour, and now the PGA Tour.

Ancer’s first trip Down Under resulted in the first important victory of his career. After positioning well with matching 69s on Thursday and Friday, Ancer made nine birdies at The Lakes in Sydney on Saturday, signing for 65 and the overnight lead. His third 69 of the week was enough to secure a five-shot win over the home country’s Dimitrios Papadatos, and a boundless amount of confidence as the off-season beckons. With the victory, Ancer also qualified into the 2019 Open Championship at Royal Portrush.

Ronald Montesano writes for GolfWRX.com from western New York. He dabbles in coaching golf and teaching Spanish, in addition to scribbling columns on all aspects of golf, from apparel to architecture, from equipment to travel. Follow Ronald on Twitter at @buffalogolfer.

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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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