News

Five Things We Learned: Friday at the Masters

Published

3 years ago

Apr 7, 2023

Nothing marks an athlete’s career like a return to form from injury. In men’s golf, we speak in hushed tones of the Hogan comeback, as well as the Woods one. Thanks to opening rounds of 65-67, our second-round Masters leader of 2023 has given us reason to consider a third, monumental return from physical damage. Added to this story line is one about a golfer who doesn’t play for prize money quite yet, although his NIL stock will rise after what he did through 36 holes. The next big event will be determined by the only woman in the field: Mother Nature. What she has in store for the Augusta region is anyone’s guess. If we are to believe the weather folk, it’s ominous. We learned just shy of six pm, local time, that round two would resume on Saturday morning. On that wet note, let’s learn of five things that we gathered from Friday at the Masters.

Jason Day chips in on No. 11 to pull into solo second place. #themasters pic.twitter.com/MOYzYBir6I

— The Masters (@TheMasters) April 7, 2023

1. Brooks reminds us that he owns four major titles

There is a fair amount to like and dislike about the current tournament leader. He can come across as supremely arrogant, and he can also make our collective hearts flutter with his golfing brilliance. Brooks Koepka was out early on Friday, and he made the most of his thirty-minutes-earlier start. The lad from Florida posted three birdies and an eagle on day two, bringing his two-day total to 12 strokes below old man par. Koepka was away at 8:18, and finished by lunch time.

You’ll easily find tales online and in print, of the excruciating rehabilitative process that Koepka underwent. His left knee was already damaged from a 2019 injury when he … well, you can dig up the details. Suffice it to say that it reads like a minor combat injury, and that’s saying a lot. Fast forward to 2023, and Koepka appears to be all the way back. If any golf course will lay bare your physical stamina, it’s the hills of Augusta National. Koepka will find himself in the final group on in round three, and we will learn if his mental game is on par with his physical one.

A tap-in birdie on No. 15 extends the lead for Brooks Koepka. #themasters pic.twitter.com/Nn7TCRyNFV

— The Masters (@TheMasters) April 7, 2023

2. An amateur did what?

A long time ago, nearly 70 years back, Ken Venturi was the third great amateur challenger for the green jacket. He followed in the footsteps of E. Harvie Ward and Charlie Coe, non-professionals at the time who gave the professionals in the field a run for their money. Sam Bennett is a long way off from joining their ilk, but his performance over the first 36 holes marks a clear reminder that amateurs at the Masters are not a ceremonial note. Each year, an amateur or two make the cut, but they don’t challenge for the title. They are an homage to the great amateur himself, Augusta National founder Bobby Jones.

Sam Bennett appears to have a bit of the original master in his blood and his game. He is the reigning US Amateur champion, an event that Jones won five tines in his career. He is a student at Texas A & M University, and began round two at four-under par, a feat in itself. Bennett dropped a birdie putt at the first to reach minus-five, but dropped back to his original number with a bogey at the fourth. At this point, most amateurs go away. Not Bennett. Birdies at eight and nine were followed by another pair at 13 and 14. Pars filled his card on the remaining holes, and the Madisonville Marauder found himself at minus-eight, in second place, four behind the leader. Somewhere on course eternal, Bobby Jones and Mark Bennett (Sam’s dad) have stopped paying attention to their game, to look earthward.

SAM BENNETT: Yeah, it was before he passed, I got tattooed on my left arm. So I see it every time I’m gripping the club, it’s right there, “Don’t wait to do something.”

You know, I thrive on it. I use it for some motivation. I know how happy he would be seeing me out here at Augusta National doing what I’m doing. You know, this week, I’ve used it to just stay focused and really be locked in to that one shot.

I haven’t played great this college season, which is kind of expected after being U.S. Am Champion, if you look back at the records. But this week, I felt like I was really locked in on what I was able to accomplish.

Sam Bennett is now in second place. Only two other amateurs have reached this level at some point during a Masters Tournament. #themasters pic.twitter.com/8vqsRj8RGY

— The Masters (@TheMasters) April 7, 2023

3. Patience in Euskera is spelled R-A-H-M

The Euskera language is older than pretty much everything. That’s what Fontañeda, my co-worker, tells me. It’s the language of the Basque people of north-central Spain and south-west France. It’s the language of Jon Rahm, and patient is what Rahm has been, through his first nine holes. He drew an afternoon start time on this Good Friday, the seventh of April. Arratsaldean, or la tarde en castellano, or afternoon in English, is when the rains came. To that point, the 2021 US Open champion had made seven boring pars to start his day. He knew that Koepka had gone off, and he also knew that the morning had been kinder to the field.

So, Rahm guarded his pazientzia and found birdies at eight and nine, to reach nine-under par. Comparatively, he is one shot back of Koepka, who stood minus-ten at the end of the first nine.

Back-to-back birdies for Jon Rahm and he reaches nine under par. #themasters pic.twitter.com/R8l8jyuL8j

— The Masters (@TheMasters) April 7, 2023

4. If a tree falls in the rough …

Three trees (or one, or two) fell adjacent to the 17th hole. No one was injured. Nothing to see hear. Move along.

Crazy moment from the Masters.

Massive pine tree falls over on the 17th.pic.twitter.com/ci8qcyidMt

— Citizen Free Press (@CitizenFreePres) April 7, 2023

5. Who’s left and who’s going home?

Well, we know that these golfers are going to be around for the weekend, and will certainly make things interesting: Morikawa, Day, Spieth, Mickelson, Rose, Fitzpatrick, Scheffler, Johnson.

We also know that these golfers are down the road, but at least they had Thursday-Friday: DeChambeau, McIlroy, Willett, Conners, Watson, Oosthuizen, Kokrak.

The jury is certainly out on these golfers, so good vibes to them as they try to survive the cut: Power, Mitchell, Cantlay, Pieters, and some guy with 15 major titles.

Playing well at Augusta National sometimes requires bravery. #themasters pic.twitter.com/Fj2m0ADvEf

— The Masters (@TheMasters) April 7, 2023

News

Most birdies without breaking par – GolfWRXers discuss

Published

40 mins 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

1 hour 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.