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Morning 9: Nearly Land(ry) of the lost | LPGA rules controversy that wasn’t | Westy! | Inside screen golf in S. Korea

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By Ben Alberstadt
Email me at [email protected] and find me at @benalberstadt on Instagram and golfwrxEIC on Twitter.
January 20, 2020
Good Monday morning, golf fans. Welcome to the beautiful madness of PGA Show week. Demo Day is tomorrow, so be sure to stay tuned to GolfWRX and our social media channels for the latest from Orlando.
Also, special thanks to Cut Golf for sponsoring the M9 this week! If you’re unfamiliar, or looking to restock your supply of Cut golf balls at a discounted rate, check ’em out via the banner above.

 

1. Nearly Land(ry) of the lost… 
Six ahead with six to play. What could possibly go wrong?
Golf Digest’s Brian Wacker...”After making the turn in 33 and tacking on three straight birdies to open the back nine, it looked like Landry would cruise to his second career title. He led by six over Ancer and was on his way.”
  • “…It started with a three-putt bogey from 60 feet on the par-3 13th, followed by another three-jack from 12 feet on the par-4 14th and when Landry failed to get up and down from left of the green at the par-4 15th, his lead was all but gone.
  • “…Having just blown the lead and playing the 166-yard 17th, Landry stuck his tee shot over the water that surrounds the par 3 to five feet. It was a nervy shot in the best of circumstances. Then he coolly made the putt for birdie to move one ahead of Ancer and two clear of Scheffler.”

Full piece.

2. Westy in Abu Dhabi
Plop Lee Westwood down anywhere in the world (as long as it’s not a major) and he can win, as he showed again this week.
BBC report…”England’s Lee Westwood claimed the Abu Dhabi Championship to win titles in four different decades on the European Tour.”
  • “Westwood finished on 19 under par, two shots ahead of Tommy Fleetwood, Matthew Fitzpatrick and Victor Perez.”
  • “The 46-year-old shot a five-under-par 67 at the Abu Dhabi Golf Club to win the event for the first time.”

Full piece.

3. A storyline headline related to Matt Kuchar’s on-course performance in a positive sense
Matt Kuchar won a golf tournament with nary a mention of on-course whining nor payments to caddies.
David Lee of the Singapore Times...”Matt Kuchar had breezed through the three par-five holes at Sentosa Golf Club all week. Ten times he had played them and he had nine birdies and an eagle.”
  • “As he stepped onto the 587 yard par-five 7th, with a commanding four shot lead, Kuchar had seemingly turned Sunday’s (Jan 19) final round of the SMBC Singapore Open into a procession.”
  • “Then, disaster struck. His tee shot missed to the left, his approach went out of bounds and the 10-footer he holed was for a triple-bogey eight. That, coupled with flightmate Jazz Janewattananond’s birdie on the same hole, wiped out Kuchar’s advantage at the US$1 million (S$1.35 million) tournament.”
  • “The veteran American showed tremendous resilience though to recover as he managed three birdies over the next 11 holes for a one-under 70 and a winning total of 18-under 266.”
4. LPGA TOC TBC
Lisa D. Mickey for ESPN...”The LPGA kicked off the new year and the 2020 season with an outright tussle for the title at the Diamond Resorts Tournament of Champions.”
“But at the end of four rounds, five playoff holes and the gloaming of another day, a playoff between Japan’s Nasa Hataoka and Gaby Lopez of Mexico was suspended because of darkness a little after 6 p.m. ET. Play will resume at 8 a.m. ET on Monday.”

 

5. Nothing to see here…
At least Lexi Thompson wasn’t involved…
  • Golf Channel’s Randall Mell on Nasa Hataoka’s rules infraction that wasn’t…”A tweeted video (that has since been deleted) only partially showed Hataoka marking her ball but made it appear as if she laid her coin in front of her ball, picked up the ball and then returned it in front of the coin, closer to the hole.”
  • “According to the LPGA, a tour video rules official watched the entire sequence and could see there was no violation. In fact, Hataoka could be seen marking her ball that way more than once, placing the coin behind the ball, then then moving the ball behind the coin to read the putt before returning the ball to its original position.”

Full piece.

6. Have a cigar
Does anyone celebrate success like Miguel Angel Jimenez? Likely no. (Does anyone celebrate being filled with the breath of life like MAJ? Also, likely no.)
  • AP report…”Miguel Angel Jimenez made a 12-foot birdie putt on the second hole of a playoff Saturday with senior newcomer Ernie Els to win the PGA Tour Champions’ season-opening Mitsubishi Electric Championship.”
  • “Fred Couples dropped out on the first extra trip down the par-4 18th at windy Hualalai, missing a short par putt.”
  • “Jimenez, paired with Couples in the second-to-last group, birdied Nos. 13-15 in a 5-under 67 to match Els and Couples at 14-under 202.”
  • ”I said to my caddie, ‘The winning score is going to be 15-under par and we need to hurry up and make birdie,”’ Jimenez said. ”Make three birdies in a row, 14-under par and then here we are.”

Full piece.

7. Unbothered by the criticism 
If you expected Phil Mickelson to be having second thoughts about teeing it up in Saudi Arabia, you will be disappointed.
  • ESPN’s Bob Harig…”Mickelson, who is skipping a longtime staple on his schedule, the Waste Management Phoenix Open the same week, told ESPN at the American Express that he understood the political ramifications of his commitment and expected there to be criticism.”
  • “I knew that was going to be the case,” Mickelson, 49, said in his first public comments on the issue. “I weighed that in my decision. But I still want to go.”
  • ….”I knew that criticism would come with this,” Mickelson said. “But I’m excited to go. I’m looking forward to it. I just figured that would be the case. I feel good in the sense that I’ve supported the Phoenix Open for 30 years. I’ve turned down opportunities for 20 years now to go over to different parts of the world. I’m at a point now where I want to take advantage of it. I want to go see it.”

Full piece.

8. Gallegos!
Golf Channel’s Brentley Romine on the LAAC winner…”While Gallegos learned the game there, there’s nothing little about him. The 17-year-old stands 6 feet, 3 inches, and possesses incredible power, including a 125-plus mph clubhead speed.”
  • “He’s a great project of a player with enormous power,” said Mark Lawrie, the R&A’s director for Latin American and the Caribbean who formerly served as the longtime executive director of the Argentina Golf Federation.
  • “On Sunday, the teenage Gallegos accomplished something immeasurable…Since the first Latin America Amateur Championship was held at Pilar Golf in Buenos Aires in 2015, no Argentine had won the tournament that has quickly grown into one of the most prestigious amateur events in the world. But Gallegos, one of eight representing Argentina in this year’s edition, changed that by overcoming a two-shot deficit and firing a final-round, 4-under 67 to win by four shots over Mexico’s Aaron Terrazas.”

Full piece.

9. On screen golf in South Korea
Rounding out today’s lineup is a super look at the massive popularity of screen golf in South Korea from GolfWRX Featured Writer Jimmy Chang. If you’re unaware of the scale of South Korea’s obsession with simulator-based golf and unclear as to why it’s such a phenomenon, you must read this piece.

 

Ben Alberstadt is the Editor-in-Chief at GolfWRX, where he’s led editorial direction and gear coverage since 2018. He first joined the site as a freelance writer in 2012 after years spent working in pro shops and bag rooms at both public and private golf courses, experiences that laid the foundation for his deep knowledge of equipment and all facets of this maddening game. Based in Philadelphia, Ben’s byline has also appeared on PGATour.com, Bleacher Report...and across numerous PGA DFS and fantasy golf platforms. Off the course, Ben is a committed cat rescuer and, of course, a passionate Philadelphia sports fan. Follow him on Instagram @benalberstadt.

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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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