Connect with us

News

Morning 9: Monahan: PGA Tour won’t support ball rollback | Open ratings | 3M Open photos

Published

on

By Ben Alberstadt with Gianni Magliocco.

For comments: [email protected]

Good Thursday morning, golf fans, as day one of the 3M Open gets underway.

1. Monahan drops bombshell memo

Joel Beal for Golf Digest…”PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan sent a wide-ranging memo to players Wednesday, informing membership of updates on its work toward a partnership with Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund along with the tour’s stance against the USGA’s proposed rollback of the golf ball.

  • “Monahan, who returned to his job last week following a health-related absence, announced initiatives on a “Player Benefit Program” to compensate players who remained with the tour and “Player Discipline” for LIV Golf members who seek to return to the tour.”
  • “We have obtained player input that is helping to inform the potential structure, components and timeline,” Monahan said about player compensation. “This program, should we reach a definitive agreement, will be financially significant in total and incremental to our planned compensation package.”
  • “As for potential discipline on LIV members should a deal with LIV come to pass, Monahan said a “task force” was being formed to decide what type of penalty players seeking to return would potentially face.”
  • “Monahan also announced that the PGA Tour would not abide by a modified local rule from the USGA and R&A that would curb increasing distance gains in the sport.”
Full piece.

2. Defending the 3M Open, thinking about the Ryder Cup

Golf Channel’s Brentley Romine…”As he begins his title defense this week at the 3M Open at TPC Twin Cities, Finau finds himself in a sizeable hole as it relates to next month’s Ryder Cup.”

  • “Finau, who played Ryder Cups in 2018 and 2021 while compiling a 3-3 record, sits No. 19 in the U.S. Ryder Cup point standings. With the top six players following the BMW Championship, four events from now, and six more players receiving captain’s picks after the following week’s Tour Championship, Finau needs a strong close to his season if he wants to have any chance of representing the U.S. in Rome.”
  • “The Ryder Cup always has been on my mind from the start of the year,” Finau said Tuesday from Blaine, Minnesota. “It’s a goal of mine. I would say any American golfer playing, it’s a goal of theirs to be on this team; that hasn’t changed. But I’ve been in this type of position before, you know, where probably on the outside looking in. Going to have to play some good golf over these next few weeks and make my case.”
Full piece.

3. Harman on taunts from British fans

Our Matt Vincenzi…”Brian Harman won the Open Championship at Royal Liverpool in runaway fashion, which irked many of the fans in attendance. According to Harman, he was heckled and taunted relentlessly throughout the weekend as he pursued the highly coveted Claret Jug.”

  • “He appeared on the Dan Patrick show on Tuesday and gave some insight as to what went on. The former Georgia Bulldog said it was “brutal” and “they did not want me to win that tournament.”
  • “They don’t care for an underdog over there I suppose… It was brutal man.. I’ve always appreciated the fans there cause they’re very knowledgeable, they know when to clap, they know the game… guys like me I can can go to Tour events in the U.S. & a lot of people have no idea who I am & that’s totally fine, but over there they cover golf a little bit differently & so I’ve always appreciated their knowledge of the game but boy, did they not want me to win that golf tournament!”
Full piece.

4. Open Championship ratings

5. Evian Championship power ranking leaders

Via Kent Paisley at Golf Digest…

  • 2. Linn Grant…Rolex Ranking: 21 Starts: 1 Best Finish: T-8, 2022
  • Grant grabbed her anticipated first LPGA title at the Dana Open earlier this month. Given her dominance on the Ladies European Tour, with five wins between 2022 and this year, why wouldn’t that major breakthrough be on the European continent?
  • 1. Hyo Joo Kim…Rolex Ranking: 8 Starts: 8 Best Finish: Win, 2014
  • For a decade Kim has consistently been in contention at the Evian. She finished T-3 last year and held the 54-hole lead in 2019 before ending up T-2. The South Korean leads the LPGA in scoring average (69.62) and in greens in regulation this year, making the 28-year-old South Korean the pick for her second major title.
Full piece.

6. More FedEx Cup playoff spots? Billy Ho wants ‘em

Golf Channel’s Max Schreiber…”With two regular season events left this season, the 36-year-old Floridian is teeing it up in this week’s 3M Open, sitting 119th in the FedExCup standings. If this was years past, the top 125 would make the playoffs and Horschel would be inside the threshold. However, this year, the first playoff event was shaved from the top 125 to the top 70.”

  • “I sort of consciously realized I may not make the playoffs this year about a month, month and a half ago,” Horschel said Tuesday at TPC Twin Cities, “and I wasn’t going to worry about the FedExCup playoffs. As much as I want to be a part of it, as much as I love being in that arena and trying to win another FedExCup trophy, I just couldn’t stress about that anymore, I couldn’t worry about it anymore.
  • “I’m fortunate enough I’ve got a card for the next three or four years based off the wins I’ve had the last couple years.”
Full piece.

7. Don’t mess with Argentina!

Our Matt Vincenzi…”Emiliano Grillo goes scorched earth on heckler who insulted him and his country”

  • “On Tuesday morning, Emiliano Grillo responded to a troll on Twitter who said that he thought Grillo would “go down like The Belgrano after joint leading at Day 1.”
  • “The Belgrano was a ship sunk by the British during the Falklands/Malvinas Islands conflict.”
  • “Grillo responded with, “Seeing how much of an idiot you are I would love to ask your mother how many times she dropped you on purpose. CON ARGENTINA NO TE METAS PELOTUDO”
  • “Grillo’s Spanish phrase translates to “Don’t mess with Argentina, you ass.”
Full Piece.

8. Photos from the 3M Open

Check out all of our galleries from this week’s event!

Full Piece.

9. Reminder: Members Choice voting is live (and wraps this week)

Vote now!!!

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.

Click to comment

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