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Morning 9: US Open qualies: Winners and losers | Hovland caddies | Zhang could be transcendent

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By Ben Alberstadt with Gianni Magliocco.

For comments: [email protected]

Good Tuesday morning, golf fans, as we gear up for the Canadian Open.

1. Three more LIV pros qualify for U.S. Open

Our Matt Vincenzi… “With a growing number of non-exempt LIV golfers quickly falling down the Official World Golf Rankings, many were forced to try and qualify for the U.S. Open through local qualifying.

  • “Among the LIV golfers who were able to qualify yesterday was Sebastian Munoz, who qualified at Woodmont CC, Rockville, Maryland. Carlos Ortiz qualified at Pine Tree Golf Club, Boynton Beach, Florida after winning in a playoff. David Puig, the 21-year-old former Arizona State Sun Devil, qualified at Hillcrest Country Club in Los Angeles.”
  • “The three will join Sergio Garcia, who qualified last month in Dallas, at Las Angeles Country Club next week.”
Full piece.

2. Block misses out

ESPN Report…”Michael Block, the teaching pro who finished tied for 15th at last month’s PGA Championship, came up short in his bid to qualify for next week’s U.S. Open.”

  • “Block shot a 36-hole score of 5-under 135 at Lambton Golf & Country Club in Toronto on Monday to finish just shy of qualifying. Twenty-seven players competed for three spots at Lambton; Block finished in sixth place, 2 shots out of third.”
Full piece.

3. Hovland the caddie

Reuters report…”Less than 24 hours after securing the biggest win of his PGA Tour career, Norwegian world No. 5 Viktor Hovland is caddying Monday for a former college teammate who is looking to secure a spot in next week’s U.S. Open.”

  • “Hovland earned his fourth PGA Tour title Sunday and first on U.S. soil at the Jack Nicklaus-hosted Memorial Tournament in Dublin, Ohio, and will now caddie for Zach Bauchou in Monday’s 36-hole qualifier in nearby Columbus.
Full piece.

4. Nichols: Zhang could be transcendent

Golfweek’s Beth Ann Nichols…”The LPGA has been desperate for a moment like this. There hasn’t been a player on the LPGA with the potential to move the needle in the United States like Rose Zhang since a prodigious Michelle Wie West.”

  • “Several players have risen to the level of “household name” on the LPGA in the past two decades, but those were households outside of the U.S. Ariya Jutanugarn, for example, became the first Thai player to win a major and ascend to No. 1 in the world. Her face was on a Gatorade bottle in Thailand, but her name never resonated here in the U.S.”
Full piece.

5. Biondi goes pro

Golf Channel’s Brantley Romine….“The whole day, people kept asking me what my [future] plans were,” Biondi said, “and I couldn’t answer them because I didn’t even know.”

  • “By Friday afternoon, though, Biondi found his answer. After much discussion with his agent, family and coaches, Biondi decided to turn professional and make his pro debut at this week’s BMW Charity Pro-Am on the Korn Ferry Tour.”
  • “Courtesy of his second-place finish in PGA Tour University, Biondi has full status for the remainder of the KFT season, which has 14 events remaining, including three limited-field, elevated-points events that culminate with the KFT Championship in early October. Of course, Biondi also had the option, thanks to his individual win at Grayhawk, to remain amateur, bypassing his PGA Tour U opportunities, and compete in this month’s U.S. Open and next April’s Masters Tournament.”
Full piece.

6. Phil’s big Bones claim

Full piece.

7. Phil’s reply to gambling callout

Our Jason Daniels…”In reply, a parody account for the convicted former CEO of Enron, got involved in the gambling debate.”

  • ‘Mr. Skilling’ jumped on Mickelson’s reply, asking, “Speaking of professional help, how is your gambling addiction?” and in classic Lefty style he retorted that he hadn’t “gambled in years,” and was “almost a billionaire now.”
Full piece.

8. MacKinnon: Brandel & Eamon should lambaste NBC, China, too

Douglas MacKinnon for the Palm Beach Daily News…”That stated, let’s turn our attention to the People’s Republic of China and its multi-multi-million-dollar partnerships – such as the past winter Olympics – with NBC Sports.  The same company that owns the Golf Channel.”

  • “As they continually attack Mickelson and LIV golf, are Chamblee and Lynch willing to write a column addressing the largest human rights abuse of our time?  That being China’s imprisoning, torture, and killing of thousands of Uyghurs and other Muslims – including women and children – in its Xinjiang province forced labor camps.”
  • “Because they happen to be paid by NBC Sports owned Golf Channel, does that make them – as Lynch smeared Mickelson – “shameless pawns for murderers?”
Full Piece.

9. Charlie Woods dominates junior event

Mike Hall for Golf Monthly…”Woods didn’t just win last week’s Major Championship at Village Golf Course in Florida, he cruised to the title by an incredible eight shots over its 36 holes. Woods’ opening round 72 included four birdies and the following day, he performed even better, with five birdies in his round of 71 to finish far ahead of closest competitor Noah Manly.”

  • “One of the most eye-catching aspects of Woods’ performance, which was watched by Tiger, was his score over the par-5s. Tiger has previously admitted that his son can now outdrive him, and it looks as though he put that big-hitting ability to good use as, over the two rounds, Charlie finished five-under in the eight par-5s he played, with a bogey on his 36th and final hole the only blemish.”
Full 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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