Connect with us

News

Morning 9: Monahan: “Encouraged” by vaccine news—won’t be mandatory for tour players | Tiger on Charlie | PGA COO allegedly assaulted girlfriend

Published

on

By Ben Alberstadt
Email me at [email protected] and find me on Twitter and Instagram.
December 18, 2020
Good Friday morning, golf fans.
1. Monahan: “Encouraged” by vaccine news—won’t be mandatory for tour players
Golf Channel’s Rex Hoggard…”Tour commissioner Jay Monahan said Thursday that the circuit continues to operate in a “six-to-eight-week window” when it comes to COVID-19 and evolving restrictions, but he did acknowledge that the Tour’s return to Florida in March should create new opportunities for more fans.”
  • “It really is hard to predict at this point what that will be. We’re very encouraged by the news around the vaccine and vaccine distribution and paying very close attention to what that can mean as we go into calendar year 2021,” Monahan said. “I think you’ll just see a slow and steady increase in the number of fans that we have on-site, but again, we won’t be the sole arbiter in that. Any steps that we take we’ll be doing in concert with our partners in the local communities where we play.”
2. Tiger’s development/Charlie’s development
Bob Harig contrasts the early (golf) years of Tiger and Charlie Woods in an excellent piece for ESPN…
“Earl all but guided Tiger from the crib to be a golfer. By the time he was 13, Tiger had appeared on the “Today” show, “Good Morning America,” ESPN and each of the network’s evening news shows, among others.”
  • “There is the clip of Tiger on “The Mike Douglas Show” at age 2, putting for a national television audience. Another time he appeared with Bob Hope. Jim Hill, a longtime Los Angeles sports anchor, was one of the first to “interview” Woods when he was barely out of diapers.”
  • “…He was written up in Golf Digest at age 5,” said Golf Digest contributor Tom Callahan, who wrote “His Father’s Son,” a book about Earl and Tiger that was published in 2010. “Hughes Norton [Tiger’s first agent at IMG] read about him in Golf Digest, and Tiger was a preschooler.”
3. Tiger on Charlie
ESPN’s Bob Harig…“In describing the situation Thursday following a pro-am round, Tiger repeatedly invoked a form of the word “enjoy” as he described what the essence of this exercise is all about.”
  • “It’s so much fun to see him enjoying the game,” Woods said. “That’s the whole idea. Enjoy hitting shots and creating those shots. It’s so cool for me to see him enjoy the sport and feeling the shots and hitting it as solid as he is hitting it.”
  • “The format for the tournament is a scramble, which was also used during the pro-am, and there was one instance on the 11th hole where Charlie hit his short approach to a few feet for a kick-in birdie — while Tiger hitting from the same spot was nowhere within birdie range.”
4. Bacon gets his own show….
Golf Digest’s Tod Leonard…”In addition to his duties at “Golf Today,” Bacon will be part of “Golf Central: Live From” coverage from tournaments, while also doing play-by-play and other reporting, the release said. Currently, he hosts a podcast with PGA Tour player Max Homa. Bacon had otherwise disappeared from live television when the USGA announced in June that it was moving the coverage of its championships from Fox Sports to NBC.”
  • “…The new show represents something of a fresh start for Golf Channel, which has experienced a tumultuous year. In February, it was announced that the bulk of the operation would be moving from Orlando to Stamford, Conn. Then, after the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, NBC’s on-air personalities took pay cuts, followed by significant layoffs that were announced in June.”
GolfWRX Recommends
One for the Memory Banks is part Final Rounds, part Dewsweepers, part To the Linksland, and part Rick Reilly—and 100% one of the best golf books you’ll ever read! This hilarious and heartfelt travelogue features stories of golf and friendship. If you’ve played golf in the UK, One for the Memory Banks will connect with you on so many levels—if you haven’t, this book will have you calling your travel agent!
Great gift for the holidays!
GolfWRX may earn a commission on sales of “GolfWRX Recommends” products.
5. JT and Rory confirmed for Abu Dhabi…..
From the Golf Channel team…”Justin Thomas and Rory McIlroy have signed up for the first European Tour event of 2021. Thomas and McIlroy committed Wednesday to the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship, the first of four Rolex Series events on the European Tour schedule. The event is slated for Jan. 21-24, opposite the PGA Tour’s American Express. Thomas is expected to make his 2021 debut in Hawaii, while McIlroy will start in Abu Dhabi. This will be just the fourth full-fledged European Tour start for Thomas, who has previously played at the 2013 Alfred Dunhill Links, 2018 French Open (ahead of that year’s Ryder Cup) and the 2019 Scottish Open.”
6. PGA COO allegedly assaulted girlfriend
Tim Schmitt for Golfweek…“According to new reporting from the Denton (Texas) Record-Chronicle, Darrell Crall, the chief operating officer for PGA of America, allegedly threw his girlfriend to the ground after she refused to return her car keys to him at an address in Frisco, Texas, near the future home of the organization.”
  • “According to an arrest affidavit reported on by the R-C’s Zaira Perez, Frisco police were called to an apartment in the Dallas suburb on Nov. 24 and noticed the victim had a fresh red scratch on her cheek, two scratches on her right hand and two broken nails on her right hand but no redness around her neck.”
  • “The affidavit says she broke into tears while speaking with officers about the incident.”
7. Baylor redshirt freshman Hannah Karg wins professional golf tournament
Adam Woodard for Golfweek…”A redshirt freshman on the Baylor women’s golf team, Karg won the Women’s All Pro Tour’s Kingwood Forest Classic in Kingwood, Texas, on Wednesday, earning a one-shot victory at 4 under. The WAPT hosts professional golf tournaments as the official qualifying tour for the Symetra Tour, the LPGA’s qualifying tour. A native of Hamburg, Germany, Karg, entering her second year in Waco, Texas, shot a pair of 2-under 70s in the opening two rounds before an even-par 72, holding off Maddie Szeryk (-3), a 2018 Texas A&M grad.”
8. Whistling Straits’ proposed sister course receives conditional permit alongside Lake Michigan
The city of Sheboygan’s Plan Commission approved a conditional use permit for Kohler Co. to move forward with development of its new golf course along Lake Michigan. But before the permit can take effect, all pending lawsuits affecting the construction of the course must be closed in Kohler’s favor. Kohler already operates two courses at Whistling Straits, the Straits Course and the Irish, as well as two courses at Blackwolf Run, Meadows Valley and River, as part of the American Club Resort. Both Whistling Straits and Blackwolf Run have hosted elite professional events, including major championships.
9. Charlie Woods WITB
What we know about the young maestro’s setup…
Driver: TaylorMade SIM
Shaft: Project X EvenFlow Blue
3-wood: TaylorMade SIM Max
Irons: TaylorMade P7MC Prototype
Wedge: TaylorMade MG2 Prototype
Putter: TaylorMade Spider X (Copper)
Grip: Ping PP58 (Blackout)
Grips: Golf Pride Tour Velvet

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.

3 Comments

3 Comments

  1. Moosejaw McWilligher

    Dec 18, 2020 at 10:12 pm

    “Vaccine not mandatory for tour players” – “It’s a choice”… NO, spreading a highly contagious deadly virus is *not* a choice. It’s just a question of whether you’re a terrorist or not. I certainly look forward to some of these whining millionaires being sued for spreading it – though current “admin” is trying to give all the wealthy legal protections so they can profiteer and not concern themselves with the fates of serfs.

    Let’s see how much a choice it is when a golfer famous, beloved and young dies of it. Or someone in Monahan’s family. Jack@**

    • Johnny Penso

      Dec 18, 2020 at 11:29 pm

      Chill out dude, it’s not the end of the world. You go to a country where citizens are force injected with Big Pharma chemicals for which they bear no liability. I’ll stay here. Bye.

      • Moosejaw McWilligher

        Dec 19, 2020 at 1:51 am

        3,000 people died in an incident in 2001, and we started unending wars with two countries spending countless trillions.

        300,000 people die in 2020, but it’s all a “hoax” and masks and vaccines are “personal choice”. Who bears the liability for continuing to spread the virus? Who bears the liability when “re-open” leads to more death and more lockdowns?

        If you think the entire medial world (pharma – sure, plus WHO, CDC, and the vast majority of doctors, nurses and scientists in the world) are ALL involved in a conspiracy and all out to get you… maybe move with Newt to the Moon? Because I’m *sick* of staying inside to protect myself while the stupid and the greedy act as if nothing is happening…

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