News

Tour Rundown: McIlroy, Ko, van Rooyen, and more

Published

7 years ago

Aug 26, 2019

Three aces caught our attention as August drew to a close. Henrik Stenson tallied one in Sweden, Chez Reavie posted his in Atlanta, and Fred Couples slapped one home in Washington state. None of the perfect shots resulted in victory; this week’s winners had to dig much deeper to find gold. The PGA Tour celebrated the last event of the playoffs, while the Korn Ferry Tour drew one step closer to its grand finale. The LPGA traveled north of Toronto for Canada’s national championship, while the European Tour visited Sweden. Dig into a slice of pie from each of five professional tours in this week’s rundown. It’s tasty!

Tour Championship flies away with Rory McIlroy

The inaugural playing of the performance-handicapped Tour Championship should be deemed a successful experiment. For the first time in Tour history, players began an event with an advantage or a disadvantage. Justin Thomas began the week at 10-under par, thanks to his previous performance. If he had found a method to go 9-under during the week, he would have won. Same, almost, for Brooks Koepka. He began at -7, but could only add 6 strokes to his bonus start. Rory McIlroy, on the other hand, tacked a whopping 13 strokes onto his -5 starting gate, and finished at -18 for the week. This performance, featuring four rounds in the 60s, brought him his 2nd almost-major of the season.

McIlroy played wonderful golf for most of the final round. He stood -4 on the day, with a clear path to victory. Consecutive bogies at 14 and 15 dropped him to 16-under, and the door was left slightly ajar for his pursuers. The gifted one steadied himself with birdies at the final 2 holes, and a 4-stroke margin of victory was restored. Xander Schauffele closed with 70 for second spot, and the aforementioned Thomas tied Koepka for 3rd place. The PGA Tour will take the month of September off, then resume in early October with the 1st tournament of 2019-20 at the Safeway Open in Napa, California.

Scandinavian Invitation to gutsy Van Rooyen

Erik Van Rooyen, let’s be honest, has let some European Tour victories slip through his hands. In May, however, a switch might have flipped for the South African at, of all places, Bethpage Black. While Koepka received all the attention for his march to victory, EVR quietly secured an 8th place finish, his first top-ten in a major. On Sunday, Van Rooyen birdied the 18th hole for a 4th-consecutive day, moving from 18 to 19-under par and seizing his first European Tour title. Left in dismay was England’s Matthew Fitzpatrick, whose Sunday 64 was simply not enough to beat EVR’s 128 weekend. England’s Sam Horsfield had the low round of the day, a 62 that featured 8 birdies and moved him from 43rd to a tie for 10th. Sweden’s Stenson aced the 6th hole, but had an 8-hole run of pars that left him in a tie for 3rd with Dean Burmester.

Canadian Open confirms Ko’s 2019 dominance

A perceptive commentator on The Golf Channel drew a parallel between 2018’s “It Girl,” Ariya Jutanugarn, and Jin Young Ko. The reference painted an 11-month trace of top-shelf play and tournament effectiveness. Ko began Sunday in a tie with Denmark’s Nicole Broch Larsen, with defending champion Brooke Henderson not far behind. The leaders battled over the outward half, each standing 2-under on the day as they reached the 10th tee. NBL made bogey at the 10th, her first mistake of the day, and Ko took full control of the day. The Korean champion, winner already this year in Phoenix, Rancho Mirage and Evian, made birdie for a 2-shot advantage, and pushed the accelerator to the floor. She added 5 more birdies on the inward half for a 5-shot triumph over the Dane. Lizette Salas closed furiously with 64, earning a tie for 3rd spot with Henderson, who would have needed 62 on the day to earn a playoff with Ko.

NeSmith earns promotion to PGA Tour in Boise Open thriller

Each week of the Korn Ferry Tour playoffs is like an Oprah giveaway: you get a PGA Tour card, and you, and you! This week, it was the mildly-heralded Matthew NeSmith who vaulted past 3rd-round leader Viktor Hovland to victory and a promotion for next season. NeSmith stuffed a wedge in close at the last, then converted the birdie putt to reach 19-under par. Moments prior, Brandon Hagy had closed with 2 birdies to take the clubhouse lead, but it was short lived. Hagy finished in a tie for 2nd, securing playing privileges for 2019-2020 on the big tour. The only golfer with a chance to catch NeSmith was Hovland, who struggled to preserve a 3rd round lead for the 2nd time this month. Hovland had 6 birdies on the day, but could not avoid a trio of bogeys that ultimately cost him the tournament. Needing eagle at the last, the former Oklahoma State golfer nearly holed his wedge from the fairway. Birdie from three feet earned him a tie for 2nd place and a promotion of his own. The season concludes next week in Indiana, as the KFT holds its own Tour Championship, with a few more, guaranteed Oprah moments.

Brandt Jobe bursts out for 2nd Champions Tour win at Boeing

Ask Brandt Jobe what it’s like to open a round with five birdies, and he’ll probably say it’s just as easy to bogey hole number six. That’s what happened on Sunday at Snoqualmie Ridge. The Oklahoma native made birdie at 8 and 9 to turn in 30, just as 3rd-round leader Fred Couples began his 4th-round struggle. Couples birdied the first hole to reach -17-under par, but that was it for the home-state hero. He dropped into a tie for 3rd with Jerry Kelly after adding 13 shots on Sunday, to his 2nd-round 63. Jobe, meanwhile, taped 3 more birdies to the board on the inward half, signed for a 63 of his own, and walked off the 18th green with his 15th career victory, and 2nd on the Champions Tour. Sneaking into 2nd place was Tom Pernice, Jr., who birdied 9 holes on Sunday. Pernice had 65 on the day to earn his best finish since April, when he and Scott Hoch partnered to win the Bass Pro Shops team event. With the victory, Jobe jumped 10 spots on the Schwab Cup money list, entering the top 15 for the first time this season.

News

Most birdies without breaking par – GolfWRXers discuss

Published

1 hour 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

2 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

2 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.