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Tour Rundown: Mickelson’s 5th, Vic Open times 2, Taylor and Langer, too

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This week in February is an important one. Seven days after a controversial tournament on the European Tour, that circuit and the LPGA meet in Australia, at the Vic Open. What’s different? Instead of dancing around societal issues, the Vic Open explodes them by offering equal pay to both genders. Professional golf can work to improve our world, it appears. The PGA Tour returned to the worst-timed event on the schedule, where rain and hail and worse arrive to frustrate golfers. Somehow, the tournament went off and concluded as planned. The Web.Com tour pegged balls in Panama, while the Champions tour found a home in south Florida. For a complete tour rundown, you’ve come to the proper place. Let’s have a look.

PGA Tour: AT&T goes to Mickelson for 5th time

Say what you will about horses for courses, but Phil Mickelson has quietly made the Monterey peninsula his playground. Mickelson unexpectedly claimed victory this week at Pebble Beach, despite entering the final round 3 shots in arrears. Paul Casey looked to all the world a champion, especially after his play over the first three days. The clue to his Sunday struggles was a 1st-round 69 at Pebble. He played the host course worst of all, finishing a mere 4-under over 2 days, after decimating Spyglass and MPCC with 64-67. Mickelson, in contrast, was 9 under at the site of the 2019 US Open, a 5-shot differential which created his winning margin of 3 shots. Lefty had to work overtime, given the rain delay of Sunday, but his final shots on the 18th hole were his strong suit, and a 44th career win on tour was his.

Dare we hope that Mickelson might finally win that US Open? Of course we dare, but we know the likelihood. Still …

LPGA: Celine Boutier overcomes leaders to claim Vic Open title

Kim Kaufman was reminded how difficult it is to win a golf tournament. Solid after 36 holes (132), she went 153 over the next 36 to drop to a tie for 8th. France’s Celine Boutier played 4 consistent rounds between 69 and 72, and held off hometown hero Sarah Kemp’s Sunday 65 by 2 shots, for her first professional victory. After opening with a double, Kemp was magnificent over the remaining holes. She notched 9 birdies, including 5 consecutive on the front nine, to throw a scare into Boutier. The champion was not to be denied, and balanced birdies, bogeys and pars throughout, as she held off Kemp and Su Oh, also of Australia. Oh’s round-one ace propelled her toward a tie for second with Kemp at -6, 2 behind the victor.

European Tour: Vic Open trophy now owned by David Law

Wade Ormsby might feel that the Vic Open owes him one. On his way home on Sunday, he clattered a delightful approach off the flagstick, turning a short birdie putt into a cross-country effort. It’s certain that David Law took matters into his own hands. Faced with a deficit as he entered the closing stretch, Law turned dreams into reality with a birdie-par-eagle finish, making up a handful of strokes on the leader. He signed for -18, then observed both Ormsby and Brad Kennedy bogey the par-3 17th. Kennedy needed birdie at the last to tie, but made par. Ormsby needed eagle, but could only summon birdie. The pair tied for 2nd, one shot out of a playoff. For Law, the Vic was his first European Tour title, after 6 wins in developmental events.

Web.Com Tour: Panama Championship

It was an awfully big ask of Ben Taylor to take the lead on Friday afternoon, and hold it through Sunday. He made it to Saturday evening, but the birdies stopped coming of day foir. The Englishman placed 4th at 5-under par. China’s Carl Yuan achieved notoriety by playing all 4 rounds in the 60s this week, the only member of the field to sub 70 each day. It was good for solo 3rd into 10th on the money list. His countryman, Xinjung Zhang went low on day 4 with 66, and was nearly perfect. His single bogey, at the 15th, was the arrow that kept him from a playoff for the title. Zhang moved from 75th to 7th on The 25 list, one shot behind Michael Gligic of Canada. Gligic, the 2018 PGA Tour Canada list leader, tossed one more birdie than Zhang on Sunday, and his 3 at the 16th proved to be the deciding blow. Gligic won his first Web title at -8, and all the way to 2nd on the money list, $20K shy of leader Mark Anderson.

PGA Tour Champions: Oasis Championship

Heard a new joke today: this German guy walks up to the tee … and wins the tournament. No punch line. For the 13th consecutive calendar year, the 2-time Masters champion won on the over-50 circuit. He didn’t sneak in, either. Langer signed for 65 day three, after opening with 64-68, for a 5-shot margin of victory over Marco Dawson. Each round of the week was unique for the Teutonic tormentor. On day one, Langer posted 8 birdies and 10 pars. Day two surrendered just one birdie, but two eagles countered his only bogey of the week. On day the third, Bernhard the unbeatable had 7 birdies against 11 pars, to reach his 19-under total.

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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