Connect with us

News

Tour Rundown: Rose, DeChambeau and Campos master the possibilities

Published

on

The Champions and LPGA Tours rested this final full week of January, while the PGA, Web and European tours hosted important, early-season events. None disappointed in their results, and two of the three came down to the final holes before resolution.

The PGA Tour was in San Diego at Torrey Pines, host of the annual event and the upcoming 2021 U.S. Open. The Web.com Tour finished midweek in the Bahamas, while the European Tour closed a two-week run in the Emirates, in Dubai. Tour Rundown starts in 3, 2, 1, now.

Justin Rose holds off resurgent Scott at Farmers

Rose opened the week with 63, trailing 2017 champion Jon Rahm by one shot. Rose followed with 66 to seize the halfway lead from the Basque talent. Over the course of the weekend, the Englishman stayed just under 70 each round (69-69) and that effort was enough to keep a resurgent Adam Scott at arm’s length.

Rose ultimately won by two strokes, thanks in part to a clean card on the inward half. His three birdies on the home march held off the 2013 Masters champion, who currently rides a two-year winless horse. Scott finished electrically, with birdies over the final four holes, to reach 19-under par. His only blemish on the day was a fifth-hole bogey, and the 68 allowed him to hold solo second place at day’s end. Rose’s 10th PGA Tour win featured 3 bogeys in his first five holes on Sunday, turning a weekend waltz into a nail-biter. He set sail at the seventh with birdie, followed up with a second at the ninth, and came home unblemished for victory.

Hideki Matsuyama rebounded from a Saturday 73 to finish tied for third with Talor Gooch at 16 under par.

Bryson DeChambeau in rare form in Dubai for first European Tour title

The temptation to make a fifth estate-proclamation on this or that, after DeChambeau’s seven-shot triumph over Matt Wallace, is tempting. The Californian did post 26 birdies and two eagles over the 72 holes of the Dubai Desert Classic. Better than par every two to three holes is an uncommon feat, and is duly noted in DeChambeau’s rise in the rankings. This much is certain: when DeChambeau is on point, his confidence is palpable and his control, unwavering.

Such was the case in the Emirates, where 66-66-68-64 brought him to 24-under par, a country-code or two away from his chasers. Matthew Fitzpatrick opened with 65 for the lead, but posted consecutive 70s over the final three rounds for T16. Anything over 69 was akin to a dropped shot, as scores in the mid 60s were commonplace.

DeChambeau was hardly flawless, posting six bogeys over the course of the tournament. He avoided big numbers and encountered spates of birdies, on his way to professional win number seven, and his fifth since June of last year. Matt Wallace, the Xander Schauffele of last year’s European Ryder Cup-side race, continued his magnificent play into 2019 with 17 under for solo second, one shot clear of Paul Waring.

Rafael Campos leaps to first at Great Abaco on Web

John Oda had a rough day four in the Bahamas-he fell from first to T4 with a 76; Erik Compton had it worse, tumbling all the way to 25th after an 83. They were not along on Wednesday’s windy finale at The Abaco Club. Most golfers shot par or higher. Only two in contention were able to mildly master the challenging, seaside course as the tournament wound down.

Rafael Campos brought his island vibe from Puerto Rico to the top of the leader board, posting six birdies on the day for 70 and a one-shot victory over USA-mainlander Vincent Whaley of Kentucky. Campos began strong with two opening birdies, survived a double at the third, and won the tournament on the club’s inward half. Campos posted third birdies against no bogies coming home, and held off Whaley, who had five birdies against five bogeys on the day.

Paul Imondi matched Campos’ closing 70 for solo third at five under, two behind the champion. The victory elevated Campos into first place on the season-long chase for 25 PGA Tour cards, just ahead of last week’s winner, Zecheng Dou. After two Sunday-Wednesday events, the tour continues this week in Colombia, with a traditional Thursday-Sunday event in Bogota. Campos became the first golfer from Puerto Rico since Chi Chi Rodriguez to win a PGA Tour-sanctioned event, with his first-ever professional triumph.

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.

Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

News

Most birdies without breaking par – GolfWRXers discuss

Published

on

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.”

Continue Reading

News

Best current stock shaft 2026 – GolfWRXers discuss

Published

on

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.”

Continue Reading

News

GolfWRX’s Father’s Day Gift Guide (2026)

Published

on

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.

Continue Reading

Announcement

Our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use have been updated as of January 29th, 2026. Please review the updated policies here Privacy Policy | Terms of Use. By continuing to use our site after January 29th, 2026, you agree to the changes.

WITB

Facebook

Trending