News

Tour Rundown: Two Spaniards, an Aussie, a Kiwi, and an American walk up to a trophy

Published

4 years ago

May 2, 2022

It was an international week for winners on five of the world’s professional golf tours. Tournaments were held in eastern Spain, western Mexico, California, Texas, and Alabama. Although the venues were mildly international, it was the collective of winners that reminded us of the global nature of high-level, tournament golf in 2022. Golfers from diverse spots across the globe showed their mettle and emerged from the cauldron with the spoils of competition. Let’s have a glance at this quintet of gladiators and the tournaments they dominated, in this week’s Tour Rundown.

PGA Tour: Mexico Open to Rahm by a shot

Jon Rahm lit the Vidanta Vallarta course up like a summer party over the first 36 holes. He wasn’t quite as adept across the weekend, but played well enough to edge past a trio of runners-up by a single putt as Sunday drew to a close.

Tony Finau, Brandon Wu, and Kurt Kitayama each took a run at the imposing Basque, Kitayama and Finau each made birdie at the closing par-five hole, on their way to scores of 68 and 63, respectively. Finau’s number was the day’s best, matched by Wu. Of the three in second position, only Wu failed to birdie the manageable closing hole. Had he found a way to make four, he would have seeped into a playoff with Rahm, and posted a sensation 62. Alas, it was not to be.

As for Rahm, he kept the bogeys to a minimum (one on Sunday, five on the week.) Of his stumbles, three came at the pesky tenth hole. The defending US Open champion had 20 birdies and an eagle over the course of the week. He reached 17-under par, which turned out to be the week’s magic number.

“Come on, baby be the number!”@JonRahmPGA heads to 18 with a 1-shot lead. pic.twitter.com/JMBy1YNaeL

— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) May 1, 2022

LPGA: Inaugural Palos Verdes Championship sends trophy home with Alex

The Mexico Open wasn’t the only, big-time debut this week on the professional tours. After a successful week at Wilshire, the ladies traveled about 30 minutes to Palos Verdes, and played in the inaugural PVC at Palos Verdes Estates. It was a sensational week, as Hannah Green, Jin-young Ko, Lydia Ko, and others did battle for the right to be the first. In the end, it wasn’t any of those names, but it was a decorated veteran who earned the right to be the first.

Marina Alex, a member of the USA side in the 2019 Solheim Cup, won her second LPGA event by one shot. She edged Jin Young-ko by one shot, thanks to a six-pack of birdies on the day. Only Atthaya Thitikul had a lower score than Alex on the day, and her 65 was not nearly enough to enter the fray. JY Ko matched Alex’s 66, but came up one shot shy of another tournament title.

Your @PV_Champ clubhouse leader at -10, @Marina_Deee! ? pic.twitter.com/JHex3yJdyq

— LPGA (@LPGA) May 2, 2022

DP World Tour: Arnaus claims first title on home soil

While Jon Rahm brought glory to the Basque people, Adri Arnaus made sure that the folks in Cataluña had something to cheer about. Following in the footsteps of fellow Barcelonan Pedro Larrazabal, Arnaus brought a title to the mediterranean city that hosted the 1992 summer olympic games. Arnaus and Olive Bekker of South Africa tied at 11-under par, two clear of the third-place trio of McEvoy, Meronk, and Canter. Of those three, the most disappointed was Meronk. A 71st-hole double bogey dropped Adrian Meronk from first to third.

Arnaus and Becker headed to the 18th tee for their playoff, and each made par. They returned to the 18th hole four more times, with the resulting pars condemning the overtime session to a sixth hole. A change was made to the 17th hole, and it paid off, at least for the tournament organizers and one of the contestants. Becker cracked. He suffered a bogey, while Arnaus made his sixth-consecutive, extra-time par. With the score of four, Arnaus claimed his first title on the major tour of Europe and the Middle East.

What it means to win your first Tour title ?@AdriArnaus | #CatalunyaChampionship pic.twitter.com/hpoAhtDPUS

— DP World Tour (@DPWorldTour) May 1, 2022

Korn Ferry Tour: Hunstville Challenge in a walk for Endycott

Harrison Endycott won the 2016 Porter Cup at Niagara Falls country club, not too far from my keyboard. Since that win, the Australian has toiled on the world’s caravans, hoping for a shot at the PGA Tour. His time in the minors may be just about over, if he puts another two weeks together this season, like the one he just completed.

Endycott began the final round with a healthy advantage, and he never buckled. Ben Taylor of England began the day in second spot, and found himself there at nightfall. He posted 70 on day four, and never threatened to evict Endycott from the throne. The day’s top score, a 63, belonged to Marcelo Rozo. All that it got him was a 37-spot bump, inside the top fifteen.

As for Endycott, he moved to 12th position on the year-long chase for a PGA Tour card. As May arrives, that’s a pretty good seat to occupy.

The Aussie gets it done @HuntsvilleChamp! ?? pic.twitter.com/qo3c52rc0M

— Korn Ferry Tour (@KornFerryTour) May 1, 2022

PGA Tour Champions: Alker’s bounce-back from playoff loss makes a statment

Last week, Steven Alker lost a playoff to Scott Parel in Irving, Texas, about half a state away near Dallas. In the warmer confines of Houston, the New Zealander took command of the Insperity with a back-nine run of four birdies and an eagle. Even a final-hole bogey wasn’t enough to wrest his hands from the winner’s trophy. Alker posted 66 on the day, 18-under par for the week, and broke free from a tie at the top after two rounds.

Both Brandt Jobe and Steve Stricker were even with Alker through 36 holes. Jobe couldn’t buy a birdie on the outward nine, settling for nine consecutive pars. He rallied on the inward half, but needed four more birdies to equal Alker. Stricker’s opening nine was equally forgettable, with one birdie offset by one bogey. He had a pair of birdies coming home, but like Jobe, could not make enough to apply pressure.

Alker was the 2021, feel-good story in November, when he claimed his first Tour Champions title. His second trophy came four weeks ago. Despite two playoff losses on the senior circuit, Alker continues to fire at flagsticks. He once again tasted the sweet honey of victory this week, and now has three senior titles on his resume.

Another eagle for Alker ?

Steven Alker makes eagle on 15 for his third of the week. pic.twitter.com/4tDncM2sOU

— PGA TOUR Champions (@ChampionsTour) May 1, 2022

News

Most birdies without breaking par – GolfWRXers discuss

Published

14 hours 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

14 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

3 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.