News
Tour Rundown: Spieth nearly defends, but Fitzpatrick finds a way | Brief playoff goes Grace’s way
The week after a major championship eases the vibe a bit, if only to prepare the world of golf fans for the next premier event. That one is coming this week, at he Chevron Championship, the first major for the LPGA. The PGA Tour found itself on Hilton Head Island, while the LPGA was on another island, in the Hawaiian chain. The Korn Ferry Tour was in Texas, at Texas Rangers golf club. Two of the three events went to extra holes, and the third was headed that way, until the winner drained his eighth birdie of the day on the 72nd green. Tour Rundown has an abbreviated, three-event synopsis for you, so enjoy our quick tour of the professional golf world.
PGA Tour @ RBC Heritage: Spieth nearly defends, but Fitzpatrick finds a way
The first news of the week out of Harbour Town, was the announcement of Rory McIlroy’s withdrawal. The pain was eased when Masters champion Jon Rahm confirmed that he would compete. He finished in a tie for 15th, at 11-under par. The week began with Jordan Spieth teeing off into Callabogue Sound, accompanied by the thunder and smoke of a cannon blast. Such is the trapping of the defending champion. Spieth went out and gave the greatest attempt at a title defense possible. He was the second-last man left standing.
The final round began with Matt Fitzpatrick, the 2022 US Open champion, a shot ahead of Patrick Cantlay. Given the nature of the Pete Dye-designed course at Sea Pines Resort, no one was going to run away with the tournament. Jordan Spieth gave it his best, reaching a two-shot advantage with five to play. Cantlay had consecutive bogeys at 13 and 14, and his birdie at the last was one stroke more than he needed to match the Texan. Fitzpatrick avoided bogeys down the stretch, and his pair of birdies at 15 and 16 were enough to catch the leader.
Spieth and Fitzpatrick went off to the 18th to settle things, but despite legitimate birdie opportunities at the first two playoff holes (they went to 17 next) there was no winner. On the third extra hole, Matt Fitzpatrick did what you see below, and Spieth could not match him. The victory was Fitzpatrick’s second on the PGA Tour, and his ninth overall as a professional.
What. A. Shot. ?@MattFitz94 nearly holes it for the win on the third playoff hole. pic.twitter.com/hIhOz9owmX
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) April 16, 2023
LPGA @ LOTTE: Brief playoff goes Grace’s way
No matter who came out of the three-way playoff at Ewa Beach, the LPGA was going to honor a first-time champion in Oahu. China’s Yu Liu, Australia’s Grace Kim, and South Korea’s Yu Jin Sung (playing on a sponsor’s invitation) finished 12-under par 272. Taiwan’s Peiyun Chien and Sweden’s Linnea Storm just missed out with their 11-under 273 totals.
Sung had the 54-hole lead, despite her relative inexperience on the big tour. She and Kim each made birdie at the 72nd hole, to catch Liu. The trio headed back to the 18th tee, The par-five closer, a mid-length hole that normally plays as the course’s ninth, offered a chance at an electric conclusion to the playoff. Liu struggled from tee to green, and posted a bogey six. Sung played the hole well, but was unable to coax her birdie effort into the cup. It was left to Kim to assess a six-feet putt for the win, and she got it right. The victory was the first for the 22-year old now-champion golfer.
ICYMI, check out @ROLEX first-time winner @gracekimeyy's final round highlights at the @LPGALOTTE! pic.twitter.com/F8OIIQp2qY
— LPGA (@LPGA) April 16, 2023
Korn Ferry Tour @ Veritex: Spencer Levin resurfaces for first Korn Ferry title
Spencer Levin was all the rage a decade and a half ago. After three wins on the Canadian Tour (now PGA Tour Canada) Levin graduated for a time to the PGA Tour. He reached a playoff at Mayakoba in 2011, but came up short in extra time. Over the next dozen years, the term grinder saw Levin’s picture added in every dictionary in the world. Levin never gave up on his dream of playing and winning in professional golf.
He came to Texas for the Monday qualifier, and briefly considered withdrawing. He soldiered on, earned a spot in the field for the week, and survived the cut with 66-68. Levin entered the final round six shots behind the leader, Brad Drewitt, who showed no sign of easing back on the accelerator. Sunday was a different game. Drewitt had zero birdies, a bogey, and a double through his first ten holes, to let a host of players back into contention. Levin was one of them. Through ten holes, the New Mexico alumnus had posted five birdies and made up eight shots on the leader. To his credit, Drewitt bounced back with birdies at 11, 12, 14, and 18. His bogey at 17 was the blow that knocked him down.
Levin added birdies at 11, 15, and 18, to sign for an eight-under par 63, the second-lowest round of the week. He emerged from the fracas one shot clear of Drewitt, with a long-awaited PGA-sanctioned victory.
The putt to win it all ?
Spencer Levin was considering not playing the @VBChampionship Monday qualifier …
Good thing he did. ? pic.twitter.com/Ei9QzfaKc7
— Korn Ferry Tour (@KornFerryTour) April 16, 2023
News
Most birdies without breaking par – GolfWRXers discuss
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!”
News
Best current stock shaft 2026 – GolfWRXers discuss
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.”
News
GolfWRX’s Father’s Day Gift Guide (2026)
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.
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.
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.
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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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