Author: staff

  • 2026 U.S. Open Preview: Scottie Scheffler and Rory McIlroy Top Favorites at Shinnecock Hills

    2026 U.S. Open Preview: Scottie Scheffler and Rory McIlroy Top Favorites at Shinnecock Hills

    There’s a particular kind of anticipation that settles over the golf world in mid-June. The Masters is a memory. The PGA Championship has been decided. And now, with Father’s Day weekend arriving on cue, the game turns its full attention to the most demanding examination in professional golf. The U.S. Open is here. And this year, it returns to a place that has a long, complicated, and utterly compelling history of breaking hearts and reshaping legacies — Shinnecock Hills.

    2026 U.S. Open at Shinnecock Hills: What to Expect

    Shinnecock Hills doesn’t ask politely. It doesn’t ease you in or offer a warm-up hole where you can find your feet. The course sits exposed on the Southampton landscape, wind cutting across those rolling, ancient fairways with something close to indifference. Links-style demands on an American canvas — it rewards patience, precision, and a quiet refusal to panic when things unravel, as they inevitably will.

    According to the latest 2026 U.S. Open odds from Golf.com, Scottie Scheffler and Rory McIlroy sit atop the betting market as clear co-favorites heading into the week. Neither is particularly surprising. Scheffler has spent the better part of two years dismantling the notion that anyone else is playing the same game — a dynamic that’s been reflected in the betting markets all season long. McIlroy carries a U.S. Open title on his résumé and a relationship with major championship pressure that most players spend careers trying to understand. Shinnecock’s wide, wind-battered fairways and firm, fast putting surfaces suit both men — but the margins here are impossibly thin, and the USGA tends to have other ideas about who gets to win.

    For those still working out how to watch, Golf.com has a complete U.S. Open TV schedule, streaming guide, and tee times covering every broadcast window from Thursday’s opening round through Sunday’s final pairing. Clear your calendar accordingly.

    U.S. Open Sleeper Picks: Who Might Emerge at Shinnecock

    Every U.S. Open has one. A name that wasn’t top of mind on Monday morning but somehow finds the right combination of ball-striking, course management, and nerve to hang around when the field begins to fracture. Last year, J.J. Spaun claimed the title and earned his place in the conversation permanently.

    The Golf.com staff has compiled its sleeper picks for Shinnecock Hills, and it’s worth spending a few minutes with. The names they’ve identified share something: ball-strikers who can thread shots through difficult windows, players unbothered by leaderboard noise, and a couple of veterans who understand that a U.S. Open isn’t won by attacking — it’s won by surviving the moments when everyone else is unraveling. Keep an eye on the tee times Thursday morning. Sometimes the eventual winner is right there in front of you, and you just don’t know it yet.

    Tournament Results: Across the Tours

    With the golf world’s attention fixed on Shinnecock this week, the PGA Tour leaderboard, DP World Tour results, LIV Golf standings, LPGA Tour leaderboard, and PGA Tour Champions scores are still being finalized as results come in across the weekend. Check back at those sources for the latest standings as the dust settles.

    Rick Shiels Becomes the First Golf Creator to Reach One Billion Views

    Elsewhere this week, a quieter but genuinely significant milestone arrived. Rick Shiels, the PGA professional from Manchester who turned a camera, a driving range, and an honest approach to teaching into something nobody quite predicted, became the first creator-led golf media platform to surpass one billion views. Not a network. Not a tour broadcaster. A golf teacher with a gift for making the complicated feel manageable, and for treating his audience like golfers rather than consumers.

    It’s worth pausing on that. Golf instruction has always had a gatekeeping quality — the right pro, the right club, the right lesson tee. Shiels helped dissolve some of that. A billion views is a number so large it resists comprehension, but what it actually represents is a billion moments of someone picking up their phone and wanting to understand the game a little better. That’s not nothing. That’s rather a lot.

    From the Community: Tiger’s Bunker Shot and the Course Management Debate

    This week’s Reddit thread that stopped people mid-scroll was a reminder of the 2000 Canadian Open — specifically, the 72nd hole, where Tiger Woods pulled a 6-iron from a wet fairway bunker, 218 yards out, with a one-shot lead on the line. He flushed it. Made birdie. Won. The thread gathered thousands of people who simply wanted to watch that moment again — which is, perhaps, all you need to know about the enduring pull of that particular era of golf.

    Meanwhile, in a different corner of the same community, a mid-handicapper aired their grievances about course management and target golf in a thread that sparked the kind of lively, occasionally heated discussion golf forums do particularly well. The argument — that demanding courses punish honest ball-strikers who just want to play — surfaces regularly, and it always reveals something honest about how golfers relate to the game’s difficulty. It’s a conversation worth taking seriously. Courses should challenge without humiliating. But the replies this week, gently and sometimes bluntly, made the case that learning to manage a golf course is part of the game — not an obstacle to it.

    And then there was the update from the golfer who was given 50 strokes across three rounds — and won. Shot 91 on a par-57, 124 in the rain on a par-72, and still took the thing home. Golf contains multitudes.

    Father’s Day on the Fairway

    It wouldn’t be a mid-June week without the annual Father’s Day gift guidance, and the golf media delivered accordingly. A smartwatch that tracks distances, monitors health, and does rather more than a scorecard ever managed has emerged as one of the more thoughtful options making the rounds — the kind of gift a golfer wouldn’t quite justify buying for himself, which is exactly the point. If you’re still searching for something to give the golfer in your life this weekend, our Father’s Day golf gift guide covers a range of options worth considering. Over at BooYaa Golf, the message was simpler: celebrate the dads who show up, share the game, and make the rounds worth remembering. Which is, when it comes down to it, the best reason any of us are out there.

    Looking Ahead

    The week ahead belongs entirely to Shinnecock Hills. To the wind coming off Peconic Bay, to the fescue swaying along the ridgelines, to the long walk up the 18th on a Sunday afternoon with everything still undecided. Scheffler and McIlroy will carry the weight of expectation. Someone else, somewhere in that field, is already quietly deciding they’re ready to carry something heavier.

    That’s what the U.S. Open does. It finds out who you are.

  • Against the Grain: June 12, 2026

    Against the Grain: June 12, 2026

    🚨 Phil Mickelson Has Been Removed From His Golf Club Over Alleged “Inappropriate Contact” With A Female Employee

    Phil Mickelson has reportedly been booted from The Farms Club in San Diego after allegedly making inappropriate physical contact with a female employee. The club took the allegations seriously enough to remove him. His spokesperson’s official response: it was a “misunderstanding.” (source)

    Let’s talk about what “misunderstanding” is doing in that sentence. A woman reported inappropriate physical contact. The club — which would normally bend over backwards to keep a famous member happy — removed him anyway. That’s not a clerical error. That’s an institution deciding the allegation was credible enough to act on. The PR framing of “misunderstanding” is working extremely hard here, and it deserves to be named for what it is.

    Phil’s last few years have been a lot. The gambling allegations. The Saudi money defense. The Sports Illustrated profile that read like a controlled demolition of his own reputation. Every time there’s a new story, the spokesperson script runs the same play: mischaracterization, context, looking forward. At some point that playbook stops being damage control and starts being a pattern that manages rather than addresses. The woman at the center of this deserves to be taken seriously. Full stop.

    The Farms Club carries on. Phil, reportedly, does not.

    🤔 LIV Golf Is Now Counting On “Prominent Australians” To Save The Day

    Scott O’Neil is staying positive!! Despite reports that the Saudi Public Investment Fund — the ENTIRE FINANCIAL BACKBONE of LIV Golf — may be done writing checks, O’Neil told media this week he’s optimistic about new investors. The current leading hope: Cam Smith making calls to unnamed “prominent Australians.” (source)

    For context: LIV has burned through BILLIONS in sovereign wealth fund money to poach players, build a tour from scratch, and produce television that nobody watched. The backup plan is Cam Smith’s contacts list. Greg Norman is presumably sitting by his phone in a floral shirt. “Prominent Australians” is doing extraordinary work as a financial rescue strategy for a multi-billion dollar sports operation.

    💸 The LPGA Is Playing For $3.3 Million This Week While The PGA Tour Plays For $9.8 Million Next Door

    The Dow Championship purse is $3.3M, the RBC Canadian Open is $9.8M, and we’ve been told the pay gap is basically closed for three years now. (source)

    ⛵ Callaway Made A Nautical-Themed Golf Ball Because The U.S. Open Is Near Boats

    The third limited-edition Chrome Tour of 2026 features FOUR BOAT-INSPIRED DESIGNS because the U.S. Open is at Shinnecock Hills, which is near the Hamptons, which is near water, which apparently means your golf ball now needs an anchor on it. This is the Augusta florals → Philly pretzels → nautical collection pipeline completing its arc. We are fully in the era of golf balls as seasonal home décor. (source)

    Genuinely curious what the Halloween US Open limited edition looks like. Asking for a friend who will absolutely buy it.

    🗑️ Quick hit: TaylorMade Made A Golf Ball Alignment Stripe You Can Rotate Out Of Sight

    The new TP5 Performance Stripe is a partial alignment aid designed to be hidden by rotating the ball away from you — which is either thoughtful design or a quiet admission that alignment stripes are mostly a placebo we’ve all agreed to pretend works. (source)

    🏆 Nelly Korda Won The U.S. Women’s Open And We Should Actually Talk About It

    Nelly Korda won her first U.S. Women’s Open, and it genuinely deserves more than a quick mention. She is the most dominant player in women’s golf right now — World No. 1, generational ball-striking, multiple majors already to her name — but this specific title had kept getting away from her. (source)

    Here’s the real take: Korda winning the U.S. Open right now matters beyond the trophy itself. Women’s golf is in a legitimately interesting competitive moment — the depth at the top of the LPGA is elite, the quality of play is elite, and Korda is the kind of player who, in a different media and infrastructure environment, would be a mainstream sports star. She has the game for it. The ecosystem around her just hasn’t caught up. This win should be a top sports story. It mostly won’t be, and that’s the actual story. Worth sitting with that.

    🏛️ Trump Wants To Redesign D.C.’s Historic Public Golf Course. Preservationists Are Not Having It.

    East Potomac Golf Links — a 1917 public course on the D.C. waterfront, one of the ONLY courses in the city where a regular person can show up and play without a club membership or $300 in their pocket — is apparently getting the Tom Fazio treatment. Preservationists are pushing for a restoration of the original design instead. (source)

    Fazio does exceptional work. This is the wrong assignment for it. East Potomac is a public asset that functions as one. The second it gets reworked to look like a resort, the quiet pressure to price-adjust the green fees follows. This isn’t about the architecture — it’s about who the course is for. The preservation argument here isn’t just sentimental nostalgia. It’s about keeping one of the few genuinely accessible courses in a major American city from becoming a backdrop.

    👀 Scottie Scheffler And Caddie Ted Scott Had Some Kind Of Moment This Week

    According to Fore Play, there was a notable on-course altercation or tense exchange between World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler and his longtime caddie Ted Scott — the same Ted Scott who has been the spiritual anchor of that partnership since day one. Details are still vague but it got enough air time to become a full segment. (source)

    The most telling part of this story is how fast it became news at all. That’s what being the undisputed best player in the world does — even a single visible moment of friction on the bag becomes a talking point. Could be nothing. Could be something. We’ll find out when the US Open starts Thursday and Ted either has the same energy or he doesn’t.

    U.S. Open tees off at Shinnecock on Thursday, LIV is waiting on a call from a “prominent Australian,” and Phil’s spokesperson is billing overtime. See you next week.

  • Russell Henley Wins 2026 Charles Schwab Challenge for Sixth PGA Tour Title; Scheffler Tops McIlroy in Memorial Odds

    Russell Henley Wins 2026 Charles Schwab Challenge for Sixth PGA Tour Title; Scheffler Tops McIlroy in Memorial Odds

    There are wins that announce themselves—the kind where a player seizes a tournament by the throat from Thursday morning and never lets go. And then there are the ones that feel earned in a quieter, more deliberate way. Russell Henley’s victory at the 2026 Charles Schwab Challenge felt like the latter. A sixth PGA Tour title, claimed at Colonial Country Club, from a player who has spent the better part of a decade proving that patience and precision are weapons as sharp as any driver in the bag.

    PGA Tour: Russell Henley Claims the 2026 Charles Schwab Challenge

    Embed from Getty Images

    Henley has always been the kind of player who rewards close attention. He doesn’t manufacture theater—he manufactures good swings, one after another, until the scorecard tells the story for him. His win at Colonial was no different, a performance built on ball-striking consistency that Ben Hogan himself might have quietly approved of, given how much the Texan legend still haunts those grounds.

    What makes this win particularly interesting is what Henley brought to the range—and eventually the course—in the form of a new piece of equipment. According to Golf.com, Henley swapped out an older TSi2 hybrid in favor of the new Titleist GTS3 7-wood, notable as the first Titleist “3” model ever offered in a 7-wood configuration. It’s the kind of detail most casual viewers would miss entirely, but for anyone who understands the margins at this level, swapping a club mid-season and winning a tournament with it says something real about a player’s trust in his own process. His full winning bag breakdown is worth a read for the gear-inclined.

    Six Tour wins. No major yet, but a résumé that keeps getting harder to ignore. Henley’s is a career worth following closely.

    PGA Tour: Eyes Turn to Muirfield Village and the 2026 Memorial Tournament

    The ink is barely dry on Henley’s victory before the conversation shifts north to Ohio. Muirfield Village Golf Club hosts the 2026 Memorial Tournament this week, and the oddsmakers have already weighed in. Scottie Scheffler tops the Memorial betting board, with Rory McIlroy positioned just behind him as the field’s most compelling chaser.

    It feels almost redundant, at this point, to note that Scheffler is favored for something. And yet there’s nothing mechanical about the way he plays—there’s a groundedness to his game that makes the favorites tag feel less like expectation and more like simple observation. Muirfield Village rewards ball-strikers who can manage their emotions around a course that Jack Nicklaus designed to test everything a player thinks they know about themselves. Scheffler tends to know himself rather well. McIlroy, for his part, remains one of the few players on earth who can summon a level that makes everyone else look ordinary. These two at the top of any leaderboard is exactly what the Tour needs heading into a summer already full of major championship conversation.

    LPGA Tour: The U.S. Women’s Open Heads to Riviera

    Riviera Country Club is one of those venues that just feels like it matters—the kind of place where the setting and the occasion seem to find each other. The 2026 U.S. Women’s Open will be contested there, and the full TV schedule, streaming information, and tee times are now available for those planning their viewing accordingly.

    Riviera demands a particular kind of intelligence—positional thinking, patience off the tee, the ability to see angles that don’t immediately reveal themselves. It will ask serious questions of the world’s best women players, and those questions tend to produce the most memorable major championship moments. Keep this one on your radar.

    Around the Game: Women’s Golf Continues Its Record Rise

    Beyond the scoreboards and the betting markets, something real has been shifting in golf over the past several years. The National Golf Foundation’s latest data confirms what many have been watching with growing excitement: women and girls have outpaced their male counterparts in post-pandemic participation gains, accounting for a remarkable share of the sport’s overall growth.

    This isn’t a small footnote. It’s a reshaping of who golf belongs to—which, of course, is everyone who wants it. The Women’s Golf Day partnership with the PGA of America at Omni PGA Frisco Resort has become one of the calendar’s signature events, and this year’s edition looks to be no different. Meanwhile, Fore All, the women’s golf brand built around the idea that the course belongs to everyone, is taking over Los Angeles this June with a series of pop-up events designed to make the game feel as open and welcoming as it should always have been.

    The momentum here feels different from the kind of enthusiasm golf periodically whips up and then quietly loses. This feels structural. Generational. Worth paying attention to not just as a market trend but as a genuinely good thing happening to a sport that needed it.

    Presidents Cup: Forvis Mazars Joins as Global Partner

    On the partnership front, Forvis Mazars has been announced as a Global Partner of the 2026 Presidents Cup. The public accounting and consulting firm adds another sponsorship anchor to what promises to be one of the major team events of the year.

    From the Community: One Round That Will Never Be Forgotten

    Sometimes the most resonant story of a week doesn’t come from a tour event. It comes from someone who grabbed their bag, walked out onto a public course on an ordinary morning, and played the round of their life.

    This week, a post on Reddit’s r/golf community stopped the scroll cold. A 14.5 handicap player—someone who had never broken 80 in their life—went out for what was supposed to be a casual nine holes before work. They made an eagle on the second hole, a 270-yard par four, finished the front nine at three under, and then did what any of us would do: cancelled the meeting, played the back, and shot a 70.

    There’s no analysis required here. No tactical breakdown. Just the recognition that this is why we play—for the round that arrives without warning and makes you rethink what you’re actually capable of. Somewhere out there, that golfer is still smiling. They’ll be smiling for a long time.

    Golf has a way of doing that. Showing up quietly and leaving a mark that nothing else quite replicates. We’ll see you out there next week.

  • Against the Grain: May 29, 2026

    Against the Grain: May 29, 2026

    🔥 The Matt Travis Situation Is The Golf Drama We Were Born To Cover

    A community member known as Francheggo apparently got wronged by someone named Matt Travis. Nuclr Golf picked it up, posted it publicly on X, and the r/golf comment section went immediately feral. The golf internet, never known for letting anything slide, found its guy. (source)

    Then Matt Travis logged on. He posted bank transfer screenshots to defend himself — okay, fine, due process, we respect the process — and then proceeded to respond to EVERY SINGLE COMMENT on the viral post. Every. One. Individually. You can practically hear the keyboard through the screen. (source)

    We are not adjudicating guilt here. But when your strategy is “go argue with every stranger on the internet while the entire golf community watches with popcorn,” you have already lost — legally, spiritually, aesthetically. There is no version of this where replying to 200 strangers ends with you looking good. That’s giving frantic press conference energy and none of it is helping.

    Justice for Francheggo. The people have decided and they are not moving.

    💌 Patrick Rodgers Wrote Himself A Letter. Go Read It.

    Patrick Rodgers has been on the PGA Tour for over a decade without a win. That sentence is easy to type and probably miserable to live. He recently wrote himself an open letter about what that experience actually feels like from the inside — the doubt, the drive, the staying anyway. (source)

    It’s honest and well-written and has no business being as affecting as it is. Not a punchline. Not a column bit. Just a genuinely good piece of writing about what it means to keep showing up. Go read it. We’ll wait.

    🐅 Tiger Will Miss All Four Majors Again In 2026

    Nothing to joke about. Just a sentence we keep having to type, and it keeps not getting easier. (source)

    📏 “98% Of PGA Tour Pros Trust This Rangefinder Brand”

    Golf Monthly would like you to know that 98% OF TOUR PROS trust Bushnell, a statistic that is definitely peer-reviewed and absolutely not a marketing number wearing a journalism costume to sell you a $400 laser that measures the same 150 yards as a $90 one. (source)

    🏚️ Local Golf Clubs Are Quietly Struggling And The Governing Bodies Keep Throwing Parties

    Golf Monthly ran a piece this week that deserves to land harder than it will. The thesis: while the R&A and England Golf keep announcing feel-good initiatives and growth programs, the grassroots clubs that actually keep this sport running are walking a financial tightrope. The people in charge are not engaging with this seriously. (source)

    Here’s the actual problem: the golf industry’s growth story and grassroots club survival are two completely separate conversations that keep getting smashed together dishonestly. Rounds are up. Equipment companies are posting record revenue. New players entered post-pandemic and some of them stuck around. None of that money is landing at small member clubs that can’t afford green staff, can’t fix their irrigation, and are losing members to bigger facilities with better amenities.

    The governing bodies can announce inclusion programs all they want. But if local clubs — where kids actually learn the game, where weekend competition actually happens, where most recreational golfers actually play — hollow out over the next decade, the pipeline collapses from below. The headline numbers look fine until they suddenly don’t. Someone with actual authority needs to treat this as a structural problem, not a communications problem. The jolly press releases are not it.

    🗡️ His Name Is Blades Brown And He Is A Professional Golfer Going Places

    The teenager is going places — just isn’t sure which direction yet. We are rooting for him unconditionally and entirely on the basis of the name. (source)

    😬 Max Homa Has Six Tour Wins And Is Currently Grinding Through US Open Sectional Qualifying

    Six wins. Ryder Cup appearances. Spending his weekend trying to make a cut just to get into a major. Tony Finau too. The USGA’s “anyone can qualify” principle is genuinely democratic and watching it play out in real time is genuinely unhinged?? (source)

    📡 Someone Built A Free Open-Source Launch Monitor And The Industry Should Be Sweating

    Coleman from r/golf did an AMA this week about OpenFlight, an open-source launch monitor he built specifically so golfers don’t have to spend THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS on Trackman or Foresight hardware to get accurate ball data. The thread is genuinely worth your time. (source)

    The golf technology industry has done an exceptional job convincing people that accurate launch data is inherently premium-priced. Coleman is building the same functionality in open source and posting it publicly. The simulator and launch monitor space is about to get disrupted from below in ways most brands aren’t tracking. Respect, Coleman. Mild existential concern for everyone currently charging $20K for a radar and a screen.

    That’s your week. Matt Travis, if you’re reading this — step away from the replies. Francheggo, we see you. Everyone else: fairways and greens, stay hydrated.

  • Wyndham Clark Wins CJ Cup Byron Nelson; 19-Year-Old Blades Brown Earns PGA Tour Membership

    Wyndham Clark Wins CJ Cup Byron Nelson; 19-Year-Old Blades Brown Earns PGA Tour Membership

    Wyndham Clark has had a rough 2025. He’d be the first to tell you that. But he closed it out — at least this chapter of it — with a win at TPC Craig Ranch on Sunday, his fourth PGA Tour victory.

    PGA Tour: CJ Cup Byron Nelson

    Embed from Getty Images

    Wyndham Clark won the 2026 CJ Cup Byron Nelson, and the first thing he brought up wasn’t the trophy or the FedEx Cup points. It was Oakmont — his “downfall,” as he put it — a moment from the 2025 US Open that clearly stuck with him. You don’t hear that kind of candor often in a winner’s press conference. Most guys bury the bad chapters. Clark acknowledged his, worked through it, and eventually played his way out the other side.

    The final round had plenty of drama, most of it centered on Si Woo Kim. Kim started Sunday with the lead and went out and shot 65. A 65, on Sunday, with a Tour title on the line. Still not enough. The r/golf thread about it was pretty much wall-to-wall sympathy, which felt right. Playing some of your best golf of the week on Sunday and still finishing second is a brutal way to lose. The paycheck helps, but probably not much in those first few hours.

    Clark’s setup at the Byron Nelson is worth a look, too. What was in his bag shows a player who has done real homework on his own game — where he needs to be conservative, where he can be aggressive. Nothing in there looks like an accident.

    But the most remarkable story from TPC Craig Ranch this week didn’t come from Clark.

    The Kid Who Earned His Seat

    Nineteen years old. Eighteen under par. Sit with those two numbers for a second. Blades Brown finished the CJ Cup Byron Nelson with a performance that earned him Special Temporary Membership on the PGA Tour, and Reddit’s golf community went appropriately nuts about it.

    What happens next is genuinely uncertain. There’s a real decision in front of him — how to handle this new status, which events to play, how to pace himself on a Tour that has chewed up more than a few talented kids who got there too early. There’s no obvious right call. But the way he played at Byron Nelson, without seeming rattled by any of it, is a decent sign.

    The Distance Debate Returns — And It Isn’t Leaving

    Back to the ongoing argument professional golf can’t seem to resolve: the Tour Confidential roundtable at Golf.com took another run at the distance debate this week, framing it as the sport’s next big fight. The equipment rollback conversations have been dragging on for years, and between that, course design pressures, and the general arms race, something is going to have to give eventually. Nobody seems sure what. The piece also mentions Scottie Scheffler and another near-win, which is a good reminder that you can be dominant and still have a frustrating season.

    Olympia Fields: A Historic Course Finds Its Future

    Olympia Fields Country Club has approved a full restoration of its North Course, with architect Andrew Green leading the project. For anyone who pays attention to course architecture, this is good news. The North Course has hosted majors and has a lot of history worth preserving carefully. Green has done solid work on historically sensitive restorations before, so this one is worth keeping an eye on.

    Equipment: Tour Edge Enters the Mini Driver Conversation

    Tour Edge has introduced the Exotics Mini Driver, a 280cc club built around the brand’s Combo Brazing technology. The mini driver has found a real niche — players who want more control than a driver but more distance than a three-wood. Whether Tour Edge can get traction in a space where TaylorMade and Callaway have most of the attention is an open question, but the specs are worth checking out if you’ve been hunting for something in that range.

    Srixon is also running a buy two, get one free promotion on golf balls. Good timing for peak season if you play Z-Stars or Q-Stars.

    A Florida Course Chasing Something Rare

    This one didn’t get much attention, but it’s worth noting: Collier’s Reserve in Florida is going after what would be a world-first Platinum Audubon Status, and a Syngenta docuseries called The Green Report is following the process. Golf courses and environmental stewardship don’t always go together, so when a club is actively working to shelter endangered species rather than crowd them out, it’s at least worth paying attention to.

    Closing Thoughts

    Clark gets his win after a hard year. A 19-year-old finishes 18 under and lands Tour membership. Si Woo Kim shoots 65 on Sunday and loses anyway. Sometimes the most interesting golf isn’t at the top of the leaderboard — it’s in the circumstances around it. Clark and Brown both know something about that now, just from very different directions.

    More golf next week. The distance argument will probably come up again.

  • Against the Grain: May 22, 2026

    Against the Grain: May 22, 2026

    🏌️ Brooks Shoots 63 After Day in the “Warehouse”

    Brooks Koepka fired his best score of the year — a scorching 63 — at the Byron Nelson after spending quality time in what he calls the “warehouse.” Which is apparently golf speak for the practice facility, not some dystopian golf boot camp. The man who once dismissed practice as overrated is now grinding like a mini-tour player trying to make rent.

    Look, Brooks claiming he’s “very, very close” while shooting 63 feels like that friend who says they’re “basically broke” while Venmo requesting you $8 for coffee. But honestly?? This warehouse era might be exactly what he needs. The guy’s been coasting on talent for years — maybe some actual work will remind everyone why he used to terrorize majors. (source)

    📊 PGA Tour Polls Players on Ball Rollback Like This Is a Democracy

    The PGA Tour is reportedly surveying players about whether to implement the golf ball rollback at all or just make up their own rules. Because nothing says “unified sport” like each tour doing whatever they want with equipment regulations.

    Here’s the thing: this could actually fracture golf even more than it already is. We’ve got LIV doing their own thing, the PGA Tour trying to be everything to everyone, and now potentially different ball standards?? The R&A and USGA spent years researching this rollback, but sure, let’s just ignore that because some guys don’t want to lose 10 yards off the tee. At what point do we admit that golf’s governing structure is completely broken when every entity just does whatever they want anyway? (source)

    🏛️ Trump Taps Tom Fazio for D.C. Muni Renovation

    President Trump has enlisted Tom Fazio to redesign East Potomac Golf Links in D.C. Because when you’re renovating a public course, naturally you call the guy who designed Shadow Creek and charges more per hole than most people make in a week.

    The irony of using one of golf’s most exclusive architects for a municipal course is chef’s kiss perfect. Though honestly, if you’re gonna do it, might as well get the best. Just hoping the renovation doesn’t somehow end up costing taxpayers the GDP of a small country. (source)

    🎯 This Golf App Actually Pays You to Play

    GolfN rewards you with actual gear points just for playing rounds. Finally, an app that gives you something besides another way to track how bad you are. (source)

    🧴 Dad Commandeers Bathroom Sink for Club Soaking

    Reddit dad casually announces to his wife that the bathroom sink is “unavailable for a while” because he’s soaking his clubs. The absolute audacity!! This man really looked at shared bathroom space and said “my 7-iron needs this more than you need to brush your teeth.”

    But also… respect? Sometimes you gotta prioritize what matters, and clean grooves > personal hygiene is a defensible position. His wife probably knew what she was signing up for when she married a golfer. (source)

    🍼 New Dad Celebrates Birth with Fresh Iron Set

    “My first child was born so I bought new irons” is the most honest golf dad energy ever posted online. This man welcomed a human being into the world and his immediate thought was “time for some T150s.”

    The comments dragged him for saying he’d played golf recently after becoming a dad, which seems unnecessarily harsh. Guy’s managing a newborn AND his handicap — that’s advanced multitasking. Plus those T150/T100 combos are genuinely smart choices. Kid’s gonna grow up with a dad who knows his gapping. (source)

    ⚡ Lightning Photo Drama Continues

    Someone posted proof that their lightning-during-golf photo wasn’t fake, because apparently we’re still litigating weather photography credibility. The fact that people care this much about whether someone actually captured lightning while golfing is peak internet golf culture. (source)

    💰 LIV Reportedly Pitching New Business Model

    LIV Golf is apparently working on a new business model amid bankruptcy reports, which sounds exactly like what a totally stable and definitely profitable organization would be doing. Nothing says “we’re crushing it” like frantically restructuring your entire financial framework after two years.

    At this point, LIV’s business strategy seems to be “throw Saudi money at problems until something sticks,” but even infinite oil cash has its limits when your TV ratings are lower than regional spelling bees. (source)

    That’s a wrap on this week’s chaos. Between Brooks finally practicing like it’s 2018 and dads prioritizing groove cleanliness over basic hygiene, golf Twitter delivered the content we needed but didn’t deserve.

  • Aaron Rai Claims Stunning PGA Championship Victory; Scottie Scheffler Favored at CJ Cup Byron Nelson

    Aaron Rai Claims Stunning PGA Championship Victory; Scottie Scheffler Favored at CJ Cup Byron Nelson

    There are moments in professional golf when something totally unexpected happens, and Aaron Rai gave us one of those moments this week. His PGA Championship win was genuinely shocking—the kind of victory that tells you as much about the person as it does about his golf game.

    The moment everyone will remember isn’t just Rai lifting the Wanamaker Trophy, but that 68-footer he buried to deliver the knockout blow. That putt felt like it carried the weight of all those years he spent grinding through the professional ranks.

    PGA Championship

    Aaron Rai didn’t follow the typical path to major championship glory. This guy uses head covers on his irons—not to make a statement, but because of how he was raised. “I grew up in very much a working-class family, and golf has always been a very expensive game,” Rai explained. “I started from the age of 4 years old, and my parents made a lot of sacrifices for me to be able to play this game.”

    Those head covers say everything about respect—for equipment, for opportunity, for the game itself. While everyone else chases distance and Instagram followers, Rai just quietly built a game on fundamentals and work ethic.

    His win proves something important: he’s a completely different kind of major champion. Majors aren’t won with flash—they’re won with precision when everything’s on the line.

    The week also brought up the ongoing mess in professional golf. Jon Rahm left the championship without answering LIV questions. Despite playing well, his silence about the tour split shows how the sport is still dealing with this divide.

    Justin Thomas had his own weird weekend. After a great Sunday round, he had to sit around for three hours waiting to see where he’d finish. “It was weird, man,” Thomas said about playing well but having to watch everyone else determine his fate. Golf’s like that sometimes—you can do everything right and still not control the outcome.

    Looking Ahead: CJ Cup Byron Nelson

    The tour heads to Texas this week, where Scottie Scheffler is the overwhelming betting favorite for the CJ Cup Byron Nelson. The odds make sense given how consistently great he’s been. But after watching Rai’s surprise win, those betting lines feel like a reminder that favorites don’t always win. We saw this earlier in the season when Cameron Young pulled off his own upset victory at THE PLAYERS Championship.

    LPGA Tour Action

    While the men’s major grabbed all the attention, the LPGA Tour played the Kroger Queen City Championship at Maketewah Country Club. The $2 million purse shows how women’s professional golf keeps growing, even when the men’s majors dominate the headlines. The consistency we’ve seen from players like Nelly Korda throughout the season continues to elevate the women’s game.

    Equipment Innovation and Industry Movement

    Away from tournaments, the golf industry keeps chasing those tiny improvements. Titleist released new GTS Driver technology, with detailed info from the Titleist Performance Institute. It’s funny—Rai won with old-school fundamentals, but the modern game runs on skill plus science.

    Getting properly fitted still matters more than most people realize. Recent work shows how swingweight, shaft, and loft changes can add 20+ yards right away. For weekend golfers, proper fitting is probably the fastest way to shoot lower scores.

    If you’re planning a golf trip, protecting your clubs becomes pretty important. New reviews of the best golf travel bags show options for protection and convenience—essential if you’ve ever seen what baggage handlers do to golf equipment. For golfers looking to upgrade their equipment, our recent review of the Bushnell Tour V7 Shift rangefinder shows how modern technology can help with course management.

    The Bigger Picture

    Golf keeps its weekly rhythm with amateur golfers sharing their weekend stories online. These conversations about great rounds and frustrating struggles remind you that golf’s appeal goes way beyond what we see on TV.

    The business side keeps expanding too. Events like the Multi-Course & Resort Operators Retreat bring together the people who actually shape how most of us experience golf.

    In Spain, La Cala Resort will host the 2026 Andalucía Costa Del Sol Open De España, continuing Europe’s tradition of combining great golf with amazing destinations.

    Maybe the best thing about Rai’s win isn’t the putting or handling pressure, but how he built excellence over time. In a sport that’s gotten obsessed with instant results and social media, his victory quietly reminds us that the most meaningful wins often come from the least likely places—and sometimes the longest journey leads to the best ending.

  • Against the Grain: May 15, 2026

    Against the Grain: May 15, 2026

    🧊 Rory McIlroy Describes His Round in Four Letters

    Rory shot 74 and summed up his day with “SHIT.” Tied for 105th at a major championship. The man who’s supposed to be chasing Scottie just threw in the towel with one word that perfectly captures where his game is right now.

    Look, we’ve all been there. Sometimes golf beats you so thoroughly that eloquence goes out the window and you’re left with the purest human response possible. Props to Rory for the honesty, but maybe save the four-letter summaries for after you’ve actually tried to make the cut?? (source)

    💰 Someone Really Tested a $1,000 Putter Against 28 Others

    MyGolfSpy actually went and tested a THOUSAND DOLLAR mallet putter to see if it’s worth more than your car payment. They compared it to 28 other putters because apparently this is what passes for journalism now.

    Here’s the thing about expensive putters: they work exactly as well as your confidence in them. You could putt lights-out with a Wilson from 1987 if you truly believed it was magic. But sure, let’s convince weekend warriors that the difference between breaking 80 and not is definitely that extra $800 in their flatstick. The equipment industrial complex is truly undefeated – just look at how LAB Golf revolutionized putting technology or how companies keep pushing the boundaries of what golfers will pay. (source)

    🎯 Russell Henley’s Using a $200 Used Driver and It’s the Most Accurate on Tour

    While everyone’s dropping four figures on the latest titanium miracle, Russell Henley is out here being the most accurate driver on Tour with something you can buy used for UNDER $200. (source)

    🌋 Jon Rahm’s Divot Tantrum Hits a Volunteer

    Jon Rahm got so mad about a shot that he YEETED a divot in anger and it hit a volunteer. He apologized afterward, which is nice, but maybe keep your grass missiles away from the paying customers who are just trying to watch some golf?

    This is exactly the kind of unhinged behavior that the new “Major Player Code of Conduct” was probably designed to prevent. Speaking of which, they’ve introduced new rules about player behavior at majors, and honestly it’s about time. Golf’s gentleman’s game reputation has been taking some hits lately when pros are launching turf at spectators. Remember when Jon Rahm was dealing with his $3 million fine situation? Maybe it’s time for some anger management along with those financial penalties. (source)

    ⏰ Garrick Higgo Shows Up Late, Gets Penalized 2 Strokes

    Imagine being late to your office job and your boss docks you two days’ pay. That’s basically what happened to Garrick Higgo at the PGA Championship. Only time will tell how much those 2 strokes cost him (and his caddy) financially (source)

    🎬 YouTube Golfer Makes Birdie at PGA Championship

    Some YouTube golfer got to try making birdie at the PGA Championship and actually pulled it off. Reddit is calling it a “great gesture by the PGA” which is a weird way to describe what’s essentially a publicity stunt.

    Look, content creation is the new reality of golf. The lines between semi-professional players and YouTube personalities are completely blurred now, and honestly that’s not necessarily bad. These creators are bringing new eyeballs to the game. But let’s not pretend this was some charitable moment — it was marketing, and it worked perfectly. Everyone’s talking about it. (source)

    👟 Tour Pros Still Trust Spikes While You Buy Spikeless

    Here’s a fun stat: 65% of golf shoe sales at retail are spikeless, but Tour pros still overwhelmingly play with spikes. You’re buying comfort, they’re buying performance. Makes sense when your paycheck depends on not slipping during your swing, but it’s hilarious that amateurs are choosing fashion over function while complaining about their scores. As we’ve covered before, spiked golf shoes are making a comeback among serious players who prioritize grip over style. (source)

    💊 Scottie’s $10 “Secret” Is Just a Molded Grip

    A PGA pro shot 8-under and qualified for the British PGA Championship thanks to Scottie Scheffler’s “$10 open secret” — which turns out to be a basic molded grip. Not exactly the revolutionary equipment breakthrough the headline promised, but sure, let’s act like Scottie’s success comes from his grip choice and not from being supernaturally good at golf. (source)

    🥩 Martin Kaymer Got Roasted at the Champions Dinner

    Someone at the PGA Championship Champions Dinner had the audacity to ask Martin Kaymer if he was even playing this week. His response?? “I’m not flying from Europe to have a New York strip with you guys… Of course I’m playing.”

    Imagine flying across an ocean for dinner and having someone basically ask if you’re retired. That’s brutal even by golf standards, but Kaymer’s comeback was perfect. Sometimes the disrespect is so obvious it writes your motivation speech for you. (source)

    That’s the week that was — divots flying at volunteers, $1,000 putters getting lab-tested, and Champions Dinner trash talk. At least Scottie’s still winning tournaments because some things never change.

  • Against the Grain: May 08, 2026

    Against the Grain: May 08, 2026

    🎭 Michelle Wie West’s “Holy S—” Comeback Tour

    Michelle Wie West returned to competitive golf after three years away and immediately reminded us why athletes should maybe ease back in. She shot an 82 at the Mizuho Americas Open and admitted her husband had to “talk her off the ledge” before the round. Her exact quote about reaching the first tee?? “I’m like holy s—.” (source)

    Look, we’ve all been there with the first-tee jitters, but this level of terror suggests maybe a few casual rounds before jumping back into professional golf might’ve been wise?? The woman went from dark places during her hiatus to an 82 in her return. Sometimes the range isn’t enough prep — sometimes you need therapy.

    But honestly, the vulnerability here is refreshing. Most pros pretend they’re robots. Wie West basically live-tweeted a panic attack and somehow made it endearing. Her gesture at the end (whatever touching moment Golf.com is being cryptic about) probably meant more than any score would have. Sometimes the real victory is just showing up, even if you’re actively falling apart while doing it.

    💰 Matt Fitzpatrick’s $550 Putter Drop

    Bettinardi just released Matt Fitzpatrick’s “red hot” putters — the BB1 Fitz Flow and BB48 Fitz — for the low price of your firstborn child. They’re calling it affordable at around $550 because apparently that’s what counts as reasonable in golf now. (source)

    🎯 Tony Finau’s Long Putter Experiment Goes Wild

    Tony Finau showed up to Quail Hollow testing a long putter, and the golf equipment nerds are losing their minds. He’s experimenting mid-tournament because why practice new equipment on the range when you can just wing it for TWENTY MILLION DOLLARS?? (source)

    🏌️ The Range Paradox Strikes Again

    Some poor soul went to Golf Monthly to complain about shooting their worst round in years immediately after a range session. They’re asking why practice always ruins their game, and honestly?? This is the most relatable golf content of the week. (source)

    The range is where swings go to die, bestie. You spend an hour grooving a perfect motion on perfectly level lies with perfect balls, then step onto the course where nothing is perfect and your brain explodes. It’s like practicing piano on a keyboard then trying to play Carnegie Hall on a harpsichord. The solution?? Stop going to the range. Problem solved.

    🥨 Callaway’s Philly Cheesesteak Golf Balls

    Callaway dropped limited-edition Chrome Tour balls “dressed as Philly” for the PGA Championship at Aronimink. The designs include Broad Street, the Liberty Bell, a soft pretzel, and Benjamin Franklin. Because nothing says premium golf performance like a PRETZEL LOGO on your $5 golf ball. (source)

    🏆 Adam Scott’s Incredible Milestone Nobody Asked For

    Adam Scott is about to join Jack Nicklaus as the only player with 100 STRAIGHT major championship starts. He’s downplaying it because he “can give himself a pat on the back” but isn’t interested in landmarks. Sir, this is literally the definition of a landmark. (source)

    👑 Tiger’s Sun Day Red Drops “Heritage” Collection

    Sun Day Red is preparing for the PGA Championship with a “Heritage Pursuit Collection” that super-fans will recognize from Tiger’s glory days. Translation: they’re selling you nostalgia for $200 per polo shirt. The heritage is your wallet getting lighter. (source)

    🎲 Early PGA Championship Betting Guide Exists

    Golf.com published early betting picks for the second major that’s still a week away because apparently we need gambling content for tournaments that haven’t happened yet. (source)

    🎥 Fore Play’s Ryder Cup Group Chat Disaster

    A random person somehow got into Team USA’s Ryder Cup group chat, according to Fore Play’s latest episode. This is either the funniest security breach in golf history or the most elaborate content creation scheme. Either way, someone’s getting fired and someone’s getting clicks. (source)

    That’s your week in golf — where comeback anxiety meets pretzel-themed golf balls and nobody can figure out why practice makes you worse. At least Michelle Wie West is keeping it real while everyone else sells you $400 putters and early betting tips.

    Golf stays weird, folks.

  • Cameron Young Wins Cadillac Championship; Nelly Korda Claims Victory at Riviera Maya Open

    Cameron Young Wins Cadillac Championship; Nelly Korda Claims Victory at Riviera Maya Open

    Watching a player find their rhythm at exactly the right moment never gets old. This week in professional golf, we saw that sweet spot where preparation meets opportunity across tours, with multiple winners Cameron Young and Nelly Korda putting on shows (again) worth remembering.

    PGA Tour

    Embed from Getty Images

    Cameron Young’s victory at the Cadillac Championship was a clinic in modern professional golf—with the kind of twist that only this game can deliver. Young’s Sunday started with the Secret Service and ended with a meeting with President Trump, which he called “unique,” and honestly, what else do you call that?

    What made Young’s win stand out was the quiet precision he showed all week. His all-Titleist setup needed just one small tweak before delivering his second win of the season. Championship golf really does come down to the smallest things—a minor equipment adjustment, a moment of clarity, trusting what you’ve worked on.

    The most impressive moment came during the second round, when Young called a penalty on himself after his ball moved during setup. Making par after taking that one-shot penalty? That’s the mental game that separates tour winners from everyone else. When every stroke matters this much, Young’s honesty and recovery showed the character behind the talent.

    LPGA Tour

    Embed from Getty Images

    Nelly Korda kept rolling at the Riviera Maya Open, but even in victory, golf found a way to humble the world’s best player. As she reached for the trophy in Mexico, the game reminded her—and all of us—that no matter how well we play, golf always keeps the final say.

    Korda’s win was the complete package. Every part of her game clicked at El Camaleon Golf Club, but that moment of humbling during the celebration? That’s golf in a nutshell. The game gives, and it takes away, sometimes in the same breath.

    The $2.5 million purse event at El Camaleon was the perfect stage for Korda’s latest masterpiece, with the Mexican coast adding some extra drama to an already compelling weekend.

    DP World Tour and LIV Golf

    I don’t have specific results from the DP World Tour and LIV Golf events this week, but the big story in alternative tour golf was LIV Golf’s future following the PIF’s funding announcement. The whole professional golf landscape keeps shifting in ways that go way beyond any single tournament.

    The questions about LIV’s direction really get to bigger issues about professional golf’s future. How do tradition and innovation work together? Where will the best players end up competing? What do fans actually want to watch?

    Golf News

    This week gave us one of professional golf’s stranger moments with a retroactive rules penalty that knocked a player out of a playoff spot at an Asian Tour and Korean Tour event. These moments remind us that golf’s rules, however old-fashioned they might seem, stay ruthlessly consistent no matter who’s playing.

    The Fitzpatrick brothers had one of the week’s best storylines, with Alex Fitzpatrick’s 297-yard approach to within five feet capping off his final-round 67. Just one week after earning his PGA Tour card by winning the Zurich Classic with his brother Matt, Alex’s performance showed the kind of momentum that family success can create.

    Away from tournaments, the business side keeps evolving with Toptracer’s partnership with the ANNIKA Women’s All Pro Tour, bringing high-tech tracking to women’s professional golf development. These partnerships show golf’s ongoing effort to embrace new technology while staying true to what makes it special.

    Looking back on this week’s events—from Young’s unusual championship celebration to Korda’s moment of triumph and humility—I’m reminded why this game hooks us. Golf doesn’t just test your swing, it reveals who you are, creates stories nobody saw coming, and manages to surprise us even when we think we’ve got it figured out. That’s what keeps us coming back: every week brings new stories, and every story teaches us something about this game we can’t quit.

  • Against the Grain: May 01, 2026

    Against the Grain: May 01, 2026

    💸 LIV Golf Is Officially Broke

    The Saudi PIF is PULLING FUNDING from LIV Golf after the 2026 season, leaving 57 golfers scrambling to figure out what comes next. Some are already “exploring potential” PGA Tour returns, which is corporate speak for “frantically texting their old agents.” (source)

    Here’s the thing everyone’s missing: this isn’t about LIV “evolving strategically” or whatever buzzword they’re using this week. The Saudis got exactly what they wanted — they sportswashed their reputation, forced the PGA Tour into embarrassing negotiations, and showed they could disrupt American golf whenever they felt like it. Mission accomplished. Now they’re moving on to the next shiny object while leaving everyone else to clean up the mess. The players who jumped ship for guaranteed money?? They’re about to learn that guaranteed money has an expiration date, just like when LIV finally got world ranking points but only for the top 10 players. (source)

    The most brutal part is watching guys who burned bridges with the PGA Tour now trying to rebuild them. Good luck explaining to Brian Rolapp why you deserve a warm welcome back after calling his tour “legacy media” for two years.

    🏎️ McLaren Golf Clubs Cost $375 Per Iron

    McLaren — yes, the car company — just launched golf clubs with their Series 1 and Series 3 irons at $375 PER CLUB. That’s $2,625 for a 7-iron set, because apparently regular expensive golf equipment wasn’t expensive enough. (source)

    They claim they’re not trying to be “those guys” while literally being exactly those guys. At least when Porsche did this with their golf clubs, they had decades of precision engineering credibility. McLaren’s golf credibility is… making fast cars?? That’s like Rolex launching a line of hamburgers because they’re good with precision. Also, is it just me or are their designs giving off serious PowerBilt vibes?

    🤝 Brooks Koepka Is a Free Agent Again

    Brooks and Srixon/Cleveland “mutually agreed” to end their partnership, which in golf speak means someone wasn’t happy with the money. Five majors apparently don’t buy you job security in the equipment world. This comes after Brooks Koepka’s PGA Tour return made headlines earlier this year. (source)

    🌲 Pebble Beach Planted a $50,000 Tree

    Pebble Beach replanted a cypress tree on the 18th fairway to replace one lost in a 2014 storm, because nothing says “iconic golf course” like a strategically placed piece of landscaping that costs more than most people’s cars. The tree is probably insured for more than my house. (source)

    🏌️ Jake Knapp Withdrew Minutes Before His Tee Time

    Jake Knapp had to withdraw from the $20M Cadillac Championship literally MINUTES before his scheduled first-round tee time at Trump Doral. No details on why, but that timing is absolutely brutal — imagine getting dressed, warming up, then having to pack your bags while everyone else is already on the first tee. (source)

    🛒 Golf Monthly Wants to Criminally Prosecute Slow Players

    Someone at Golf Monthly wrote an entire article about “heinous golfing crimes” and suggested punishments, which honestly sounds like the kind of content you write when you’re three drinks deep at the 19th hole. But you know what?? I’m here for it. (source)

    💰 Save $100 on Recovery Products You’ll Never Use

    Golf.com is pushing Hyperice recovery products with a $100 discount, because apparently we all need professional-grade muscle recovery tools to deal with the devastating physical toll of riding in a cart for four hours. (source)

    🏆 Cameron Young Shot 64 Without a Bogey

    Cameron Young fired an 8-under 64 to take the early lead at the Cadillac Championship, going bogey-free in the process. Actual good golf happening at Trump Doral feels weird to report on, but here we are. Kid’s been knocking on the door of superstardom for a while now — maybe this is his week, especially after Cameron Young won THE PLAYERS Championship earlier this year. (source)

    Another week, another reminder that golf’s business side is infinitely more chaotic than anything happening between the ropes. At least the trees at Pebble are thriving.

  • Fitzpatrick Brothers Win Zurich Classic as Nelly Korda Claims Third Major at Chevron Championship

    Fitzpatrick Brothers Win Zurich Classic as Nelly Korda Claims Third Major at Chevron Championship

    Tournament Results

    This week brought plenty of drama across professional golf, though we’re still waiting on complete leaderboards from several tournaments. The big stories come from two breakthrough wins that could change everything for the players involved.

    PGA Tour: Zurich Classic of New Orleans

    Embed from Getty Images

    The Fitzpatrick brothers pulled off something special in New Orleans, with Matt and Alex winning the team event together. For Alex, this wasn’t just another tournament—it completely changed his career overnight.

    Alex now gets two full years of PGA Tour membership, which is huge when you’re trying to make it on tour. The win comes with way more than just playing privileges—sponsor exemptions, better earning chances, and access to the biggest tournaments week after week.

    Here’s something interesting: both brothers are currently gear free agents, so their club choices come down to pure performance rather than endorsement deals. You often see the most interesting bag setups when players can pick whatever works best for their game. Speaking of equipment free agents living their best life, these situations create fascinating opportunities to see what clubs truly perform under pressure.

    LPGA Tour: Chevron Championship

    Embed from Getty Images

    Nelly Korda won her third major, but this one felt different. She had to beat herself as much as the field, fighting through the mental challenges that have tripped her up before in big moments.

    Equipment-wise, something caught my eye: Korda’s win means both opening majors were won with TaylorMade Qi4D drivers. That’s not random—when the best players choose the same driver under pressure, it says something about the club’s performance.

    Her recent run has people asking the obvious question: Are we watching the Summer of Nelly? The way she’s swinging and handling pressure lately suggests she’s just getting started.

    Golf News

    Ryder Cup Leadership

    The biggest news off the course: Jim Furyk gets the U.S. Ryder Cup captaincy for 2027. This makes sense—Furyk has played in multiple Ryder Cups and captained before, so he knows what works and what doesn’t.

    Getting the job this early gives Furyk time to watch the next couple Ryder Cups and start building relationships with potential team members. His methodical approach to the game could be exactly what the U.S. team needs.

    Technology and Development

    Golf tech news: MILESEEY GOLF partnered with The Breakthrough Golf Alliance to get rangefinders and GPS devices into the hands of junior golfers. This matters more than it might seem.

    Good distance measurement tools used to be expensive and hard to get. When talented kids can access this technology early, they learn course management faster, which makes them better prepared for college golf and beyond. For golfers looking to improve their distance measuring, our review of the Bushnell A-1 Slope rangefinder shows how premium features can come at accessible prices.

    Content Creation Meets Competition

    The Q at Myrtle Beach Showdown puts eight YouTube creators in competition for an actual PGA Tour spot. This isn’t just for show—it recognizes that many golf fans discover the game through YouTube these days.

    The format looks solid: two rounds of match-play-to-stroke-play that tests different skills under pressure. For the creators, it validates their golf ability. For the tour, it’s a way to reach younger fans who live on digital platforms.

    Looking Ahead

    From the Fitzpatrick breakthrough to Korda’s continued excellence, this week shows how quickly things can change in golf. Success comes from unexpected places—team formats that create new opportunities, major championships that confirm greatness.

    The equipment stories running through these wins remind us that at the top level, players choose what works best for their game. When there are no endorsement deals involved, you see what clubs really perform under pressure. Whether it’s innovative putter technology like we’ve covered with LAB Golf’s unique designs or premium ball innovations from major manufacturers, performance matters most when trophies are on the line.

    As golf season ramps up, these storylines will keep developing. Alex Fitzpatrick now has doors open that seemed closed before. Korda looks like she’s entering her prime. The Ryder Cup appointment sets up drama for international competition.

    All of it shows golf’s ability to surprise and reward persistence—something true whether you’re trying to make the tour or just break 80.

  • Against the Grain: April 24, 2026

    Against the Grain: April 24, 2026

    🔥 PGA Tour Fires 56 People For “Right-Sizing”

    The PGA Tour laid off 56 staff members this week as part of their transition to a “for-profit era.” They’re calling it “right-sizing,” which is corporate speak for “we spent all our cash on signature events and now regular humans have to pay the price.” (source)

    Here’s what’s actually happening: The Tour burned through money trying to compete with LIV’s Saudi cash, created a bloated system of signature events that cost a fortune to produce, and now they’re trimming the people who actually make tournaments run. Meanwhile, the top players are guaranteed EIGHT-FIGURE payouts regardless of performance. But sure, let’s fire the operations staff who’ve been there for decades. Nothing says “for-profit” like making the people at the bottom pay for the decisions at the top.

    🏊‍♂️ Michael Brennan Goes Shirtless In Louisiana Swamp

    Zurich Classic player Michael Brennan stripped down and waded into a swamp at TPC Louisiana to hit a recovery shot, prompting his partner Johnny Keefer to joke that he “might get a few DMs” afterward. (source)

    🎬 Charley Hull Wants Golf To Be “Art” Again

    Charley Hull says she prefers the more “artistic” golf from 20-30 years ago and is launching her own YouTube channel to presumably show us how it’s done. She’s not wrong about golf being more creative back then, but starting a YouTube channel to complain about modern golf is peak 2026 energy.

    ⚡ Ian Poulter Suggests PGA Tour Teams Should Join LIV

    Ian Poulter thinks TWO OR THREE PGA Tour teams should play in LIV Golf while simultaneously calling Brooks Koepka’s return a “mercenary” move. The cognitive dissonance is chef’s kiss – wanting more crossover while roasting players for crossing over. Pick a lane, Ian. (source)

    🏆 Nelly Korda Is “Freed Up” And That’s Terrifying

    Golf.com reports that a “freed up” Nelly Korda at the Chevron Championship is bad news for everyone else in the field. When you’re already dominating women’s golf and then someone says you look “freed up,” that’s basically game over for the competition. (source)

    ⛳ The PGA Tour’s Hawaiian Swing Is Dead

    MyGolfSpy officially declared the PGA Tour’s Hawaiian swing dead this week, and honestly, RIP to one of the last fun stops on the calendar. The Tour keeps consolidating events into signature tournaments on the mainland while killing off the unique venues that made the schedule interesting. First they came for the Hawaiian events, and we said nothing because we were distracted by ELEVATED PURSES.

    This is what “modernizing” gets you – fewer cool locations, more corporate sameness, and a schedule that feels like it was designed by a McKinsey consultant who’s never watched golf for fun. The Hawaiian swing wasn’t just about tropical vibes; it was about variety in venues and giving players different challenges. Now it’s just another casualty of the signature event arms race. Remember when tournaments like The American Express offered unique desert challenges? Those days are numbered too. (source)

    🚨 Barstool Classic Hit With “Major Cheating Allegations”

    The first Barstool Classic of 2026 was rocked by cheating allegations serious enough that Fore Play dedicated an entire podcast episode to it. No word yet on whether anyone actually got caught or if this is just content creation disguised as controversy. (source)

    💸 FootJoy Teams Up With ALD For $400 Golf Shoes

    FootJoy partnered with Aime Leon Dore for an “elegant spin” on their Premiere Series Marquis shoes. Because what golf really needed was another luxury streetwear collab. Can’t wait to see these on the course next to someone’s Supreme golf towel and Off-White ball marker.

    That’s a wrap on another week of golf being absolutely normal and not weird at all. At least the swamp shots are getting more creative. 🐊

  • Against the Grain: April 17, 2026

    Against the Grain: April 17, 2026

    🔥 LIV Golf CEO Has Complete On-Air Breakdown

    Scott O’Neil went FULL unhinged defense mode on LIV’s broadcast this week, launching into what can only be described as a passionate TV meltdown about how the league is in a “wonderful position.” This came right after reports that Saudi funding might be getting cut and Jon Rahm had to reassure everyone he wasn’t distracted by the financial drama. Nothing says “we’re totally fine” like your CEO having a public breakdown on your own broadcast!! (source)

    Here’s the thing though — and this is a genuine take, not just dunking on LIV — O’Neil’s desperation actually makes sense. The league has paid out over $80 MILLION to Jon Rahm alone, and when you’re burning through Saudi cash that fast with basically zero TV revenue or sponsor interest, panic mode is probably the appropriate response. The fact that Brooks Koepka can’t even get into a PGA Tour signature event as first alternate shows how irrelevant these guys have become. O’Neil can rant all he wants, but the numbers don’t lie.

    Meanwhile, Rahm’s trying to stay zen about reports that his massive payday might be in jeopardy. Brother, you made your bed when you took the Saudi money — now you get to lie in it while your CEO has public meltdowns. (source)

    ⚫ TaylorMade Goes Full Goth With “Shadowfall” Collection

    TaylorMade just dropped their new all-black “Shadowfall” collection because apparently we needed drivers that look like they were designed by a teenager going through an emo phase. (source)

    🤖 Cobra Is 3D Printing Golf Clubs Now Because Why Not

    Cobra’s R&D team was told to “think outside the box” and their response was to literally start 3D printing golf clubs. Look, I’m all for innovation, but this feels like when your boss tells you to “be creative” and you panic and suggest the most sci-fi solution possible. Next they’ll be telling us the clubs are powered by AI and blockchain technology. (source)

    😬 Kevin Kisner Apologizes for Roasting CBS Masters Coverage

    Kiz went nuclear on CBS’s Masters broadcast earlier this week, then had to crawl back and apologize on Barstool’s Fore Play podcast saying he “crossed the line.” The man spoke truth to power about how terrible the coverage was, then immediately folded when the network probably threatened his future TV gigs.

    This is exactly what’s wrong with golf media — everyone knows the Masters broadcast is unwatchable with its 47 minutes of commercial breaks per hour and refusal to show anyone outside the top 5, but nobody can say it because CBS owns half the sport. Kiz said what we were all thinking, then got scared and backed down. Coward behavior, but I get it — mortgage payments don’t care about journalistic integrity. (source)

    🏌️ Max Homa Calls Out “Spoiled” Players After Sergio’s Masters Tantrum

    Max Homa decided to be the voice of reason after Sergio Garcia’s latest meltdown, calling players who smash clubs and tee boxes “very, very spoiled.” Finally, someone said it!! These millionaires throwing tantrums like toddlers because their little white ball didn’t go exactly where they wanted is peak rich guy behavior. (source)

    🎯 Callaway Drops ANOTHER Mini Driver Because Apparently We Need More

    The Callaway Quantum Mini Driver has arrived, featuring “Tri-Force face tech” and a “Step Sole” because every piece of golf equipment needs to sound like it was named by a committee of marketing bros. At this point calling mini drivers a “trend” is like calling avocado toast a fad — they’re here to stay whether we like it or not. (source)

    🕶️ Henrik Stenson Joins “Invitation-Only” Golf Ball Society

    Henrik Stenson is now playing an “invitation-only” golf ball from something called “The Underground” which sounds like either a very exclusive golf society or a really pretentious speakeasy. Nothing says elite athlete like making your equipment choice sound like a secret society membership. (source)

    📺 Fore Play Still Making Content About Internet Trolls

    Riggs is back for Season 3 of playing matches against his internet haters, because apparently we needed more content about grown men settling Twitter beefs on the golf course. (source)

    —

    That’s your weekly dose of golf chaos, besties. Between LIV’s financial meltdown, TaylorMade’s goth phase, and Henrik Stenson joining a golf ball cult, it’s been a perfectly normal week in professional golf.

  • Against the Grain: April 10, 2026

    Against the Grain: April 10, 2026

    🏌️ Rory’s Caddie Wearing #1 Like It’s His Jersey Number

    Harry Diamond is strutting around Augusta with a big fat “1” on his caddie bib because Rory’s the defending champ. Which is… fine?? But also gives off major “my dad could beat up your dad” energy from a 40-year-old man in a white jumpsuit. (source)

    At least Rory backed it up with a 5-under opening round while making an “interesting equipment change” that apparently worked. Nothing says confidence like tweaking your setup right before defending your major championship and having it actually pay off.

    🤬 Robert MacIntyre Learns Augusta Has Standards

    Bobby Mac got so tilted during his opening 77 that he threw up an obscene gesture and got a talking-to from the green jackets themselves. The same tournament that makes patrons whisper and forbids running decided his middle finger crossed a line. Shocking!! (source)

    💪 THREE Random Guys Outdriving The Science Experiment

    Bryson DeChambeau — the man who literally rebuilt his body and swing around hitting bombs — is getting outdriven by THREE different players at Augusta. One of them ranks 90TH in driving distance this season. 90TH!! (source)

    This is like getting dunked on by the benchwarmer. Bryson spent years turning himself into a golf cyborg, nearly destroyed his wrists, changed everything about his game, and now random Tour journeymen are casually bombing it past him at the one tournament that matters most.

    Maybe the real distance was the friends we made along the way?? No wait, it definitely wasn’t. Distance is still distance, and right now Bryson’s getting pantsed by guys whose names you probably can’t pronounce. His nightmare 77 probably makes a lot more sense when you realize he’s getting outmuscled by the also-rans.

    The funniest part? Bryson built his own 5-iron and was talking it up after his round like it was going to save his week. Brother, your driver issues are showing and no amount of custom iron work is fixing that (source).

    🥾 Under Armour Drops “Limited Edition” Masters Shoes Because Of Course

    UA released special Masters-themed golf shoes this week, asking if they’re “the best Masters themed footwear release of 2026.” The answer is no, because the best Masters shoe is whatever helps you not shoot 80, but thanks for playing. (source)

    📺 Brandel Chamblee Absolutely Torches The LIV Boys

    Chamblee went scorched earth on Bryson and Rahm after their rough opening rounds, basically saying they’re soft because LIV doesn’t test them properly. “They’re not being tested, and so they’re not ready.”

    Look, Brandel says a lot of things. But when the two biggest LIV names show up to Augusta and immediately face-plant… maybe he has a point?? You can’t cruise through 54-hole exhibitions with no cuts and expect to show up fresh for the pressure cooker that is major championship golf. The rust is showing, gentlemen. (source)

    🎯 40% Of Top-20 Players Use The Same Putter

    Eight of the world’s top 20 golfers are gaming the TaylorMade Spider putter. Either TaylorMade cracked the putting code or sheep mentality is alive and well on Tour. (source)

    🛍️ 2027 Masters Tickets: Your Annual Disappointment Awaits

    Golf.com helpfully explained how to apply for 2027 Masters tickets, because apparently people need instructions for entering a lottery they’ll never win. (source)

    🎒 Harry Hall Panic-Switches EVERYTHING After Opening 77

    Hall shot 77 in his Masters debut and responded by changing TWO drivers and his putter for round two. That’s not equipment tweaking, that’s equipment therapy. When you’re swapping out half your bag after one bad round, the clubs aren’t the problem, bestie. (source)

    Anyway, Masters week continues to deliver the exact chaos we needed. Rory’s defending like a boss, the LIV boys are struggling to remember how real golf works, and someone’s about to spend $300 on Masters-themed shoes that won’t make them any better at golf.

    Stay hydrated out there (unlike Bryson’s driving distance).

  • This Week in Golf – April 10, 2026

    This Week in Golf – April 10, 2026

    Masters Friday has this unique energy that sets it apart from every other day in tournament golf. The field gets tighter, the pressure ramps up, and Augusta National starts showing us who can handle the weekend heat. This week delivered exactly that kind of drama, plus some great redemption stories and the latest gear designed to help golfers chase their own perfect rounds.

    Masters 2026: McIlroy Commands Attention

    The storylines at Augusta National this week feel almost too good to be true. Rory McIlroy came into Friday’s second round looking like this might finally be his year to complete the career Grand Slam. Meanwhile, Scottie Scheffler positioned himself as the main threat, because that’s what Scheffler does.

    What made Friday special wasn’t just where guys stood on the leaderboard, but those little moments that make Augusta different. Someone on Reddit caught McIlroy’s birdie on the 15th hole after he “snuck a peek” at playing partner Cam Young’s putt line. That’s the kind of smart gamesmanship you see in major championships, where every edge matters and guys are thinking three moves ahead.

    There’s a deeper story here about how player-coach relationships work during major weeks. Augusta isn’t like other tour stops where you can stick with your Thursday game plan. The course shows you something new each day, and the best players figure out how to adjust without losing what makes their swing work.

    Redemption and Perspective: Jordan Spieth’s Journey

    No story this week hits harder than Jordan Spieth’s ongoing effort to find his Augusta magic again. Ten years ago, Spieth left Augusta crushed but with an important lesson about bouncing back. This week, he reminded everyone why he’s dangerous here with an absolutely ridiculous 181-yard sliced iron to 13 feet—the kind of recovery shot that shows both skill and the creative thinking Augusta demands.

    There’s something powerful about watching a former Masters champion deal with both great moments and struggles on the same course where he once wore the green jacket. Spieth’s journey captures what makes golf compelling: that constant fight between past success and present reality, between what we know we can do and what we’re doing right now.

    The Augusta Experience: Details That Matter

    One of the best pieces this week came from a writer who walked all 18 holes at Augusta National and noticed the small stuff TV misses. Things like hazard stakes, ladders, leaderboards—details that remind you Augusta’s magic lives in its subtle design as much as its big moments.

    Walking the course gives you a completely different perspective. The elevation changes feel more dramatic, and you really understand how precise these approach shots need to be. It’s why Augusta National stands apart from every other golf course, and why players spend years learning how it works.

    Equipment Innovation and Industry Movement

    While Augusta dominated the headlines, the golf industry kept pushing forward. Zen Golf launched a Masters Tournament Historic Putts playlist for their Green Stage owners, tapping into nostalgia and letting people experience great moments from golf history.

    Wilson Golf took their “Play Original” campaign to Times Square, using Manhattan’s biggest 8K LED screen to reach golfers during the sport’s biggest week. Smart timing that recognizes how Masters week gets everyone thinking about golf.

    The simulation market saw some movement with Uneekor’s new Studio Package, combining their EYE XR technology with AI-powered training. As more golfers want year-round ways to improve, these integrated training systems show where practice is heading.

    Community and Connection

    Maybe the most telling moment was one American golf fan’s Reddit post saying McIlroy “deserves a damn coat.” That kind of sentiment goes beyond nationalism and gets to something golf does well—making us respect greatness wherever we find it.

    This appreciation for excellence, no matter who’s delivering it, captures something important about golf culture. We’re drawn to mastery and persistence, and Augusta National remains the perfect place to see both on display.

  • Against the Grain: April 08, 2026

    Against the Grain: April 08, 2026

    🚔 Tiger’s Statement After Arrest Has Entered the Chat

    Tiger Woods released a statement following his arrest and honestly?? The fact that we need to specify WHICH arrest in 2026 is… concerning. Dan Hicks from the broadcast booth apparently has some inside tea on what it’s really like working with these guys, but we’re guessing “criminal defense strategy” wasn’t part of his media training. (source)

    💚 That $30 Masters Chair is Actually a Genius Investment

    Some Golf Monthly writer bought one of those iconic green Masters chairs for THIRTY DOLLARS and calls it his “best purchase” thanks to Augusta’s “timeless unwritten rule.” Which unwritten rule?? The one where you can resell that chair on eBay for $500 because people will literally pay anything with the Masters logo on it.

    But here’s the thing — he’s not wrong. Augusta National has created the most successful merch ecosystem in sports by making everything artificially scarce and reasonably priced ON-SITE. You can’t get their pimento cheese sandwich recipe anywhere else, you can’t buy that chair online, and somehow that makes a $30 folding chair feel like treasure. Don’t even get me started about the gnomes… It’s brilliant psychology masquerading as tradition.

    Meanwhile, Titleist is dropping Masters-themed headcovers that probably cost more than the chair and will be forgotten by Memorial Day. (source)

    🏌️ 47-Year Augusta Curse vs. This Year’s Rookie Class

    No first-time Masters player has won since 1979, which is either a testament to Augusta’s difficulty or proof that the golf gods have a sense of humor about streaks. This year’s rookie class is apparently “stellar” and ready to break the curse. (source)

    🎯 Golf.com Really Said “Shop Garmin at Fairway Jockey” Like It’s Breaking News

    Imagine being the Golf.com editor who approved this headline: “Garmin rangefinders, watches and more now available at Fairway Jockey.” That’s not news, that’s a press release with delusions of grandeur. (source)

    🌙 How Augusta Gets “Put to Bed” Each Night Sounds Like a Spa Commercial

    Golf.com published a whole article about Augusta’s nighttime routine and it reads like they’re tucking in a precious baby instead of, you know, basic course maintenance. “The home of the Masters starts to look a lot different every evening” — yeah, it looks like a golf course with sprinklers running. Revolutionary stuff here.

    🏌️‍♂️ Gary Woodland Playing Masters While Battling PTSD

    Gary Woodland is set to play the Masters while dealing with PTSD, which is genuinely heavy and deserves respect. The man’s been through it and still showing up to compete at the highest level. (source)

    ⚔️ PGA vs. LIV “In a Much Different Place” Than 2023

    Translation: everyone’s tired of pretending to care about the beef and just wants to watch golf. The drama peaked two years ago and now we’re all just waiting for someone to officially announce what we already know — money talks louder than principles in professional sports.

    —

    Another Masters week, another reminder that Augusta National could sell air in mason jars and people would queue up at 4 AM to buy it. At least the golf should be good.

  • This Week in Golf – April 03, 2026

    This Week in Golf – April 03, 2026

    The week before the Masters has been heavy with sobering news and fresh debates about golf’s pace and pressures. From disturbing footage that shows even golf’s biggest star at his most vulnerable to the final scramble for Augusta spots, this week’s stories remind us that golf carries more weight than just scores and statistics.

    Tiger Woods Footage Brings Uncomfortable Clarity

    The most difficult story this week has been the release of Tiger Woods’ DUI arrest body-camera footage. The extensive footage is, as Golf.com described it, unsettling in its detail. Watching someone who has given us so many moments of pure magic reduced to this kind of vulnerability hits hard—a blunt reminder that greatness and personal struggle can live side by side in the same person.

    The timing stings with Masters week here—the place where Tiger has written some of his best chapters. Seeing these moments makes his 2019 comeback victory feel even more incredible. The footage isn’t just documenting an arrest; it’s capturing a human being at rock bottom, which makes his return to competitive golf that much more remarkable. This latest development follows Tiger’s recent decision to take an indefinite break from golf following another DUI arrest earlier this year.

    Masters Week Preparations and Final Push

    While Augusta National gets ready for the world’s attention, the complete tournament schedule and viewing information has been released. But the real drama is still playing out over the final qualification spot.

    Five big-name PGA Tour professionals are chasing that last Masters invitation, creating genuine tension as the tournament gets closer. There’s something captivating about watching accomplished players fight for what might be their only shot to walk down Magnolia Lane this year. The desperation and hope driving that chase shows Augusta’s unique pull—it’s not just another tournament, it’s a pilgrimage that can make or break careers.

    Women’s Golf Under Scrutiny

    The Augusta National Women’s Amateur has had its own drama, though not all of it comfortable to watch. Bailey Shoemaker found herself at the center of a viral slow-play controversy that lit up social media with debates about pace of play in competitive golf.

    Shoemaker’s response acknowledges how it looked while defending her process—reminding us that what seems obvious from the outside often has layers of complexity that cameras miss. The whole thing raises questions about how we judge pace of play when every moment can go viral. Meanwhile, the tournament itself has produced surprising missed cuts and emerging leaders, showing the depth in women’s amateur golf.

    Equipment and Industry Updates

    The equipment world keeps pushing forward with several notable launches. Scott Golf’s introduction of The Woody putter with a proprietary wood fiber insert continues the endless search for new materials and technologies that might unlock better putting performance. The innovation echoes what we’ve seen from companies like L.A.B. Golf, whose unique blade putters have been making waves among serious players.

    Sun Mountain’s collaboration with Realtree for a limited edition collection shows how golf equipment companies are thinking beyond traditional boundaries to reach new audiences. These partnerships reflect golf’s push into lifestyle and crossover markets.

    Community and Recognition

    Away from the headlines, quieter stories continue shaping golf’s foundation. Dr. Maureen Kahiu’s selection for the 2026 Musser Award of Excellence recognizes contributions to turfgrass management that make the game possible at the highest levels. These behind-the-scenes professionals rarely get recognition matching their impact, making such honors particularly meaningful.

    There’s also something encouraging about initiatives like the New Jersey Sea Birds Angling Club’s “Points-to-Dollars” pledge benefitting PGA HOPE, which shows how golf communities can use their passion for broader social good.

    The Week Ahead

    Moving deeper into Masters week, these stories remind us that golf works on multiple levels at once. There’s the pristine presentation of Augusta National we’ll see on television, but also the human struggles, technological innovations, and community efforts that make the sport what it is. The contrast between Tiger’s footage and the Masters’ approaching beauty isn’t a contradiction—it’s the full range of what makes golf endlessly compelling.

    Golf’s ability to inspire and humble, sometimes in the same week, continues to define its unique place in sports.

  • Against the Grain: April 01, 2026

    Against the Grain: April 01, 2026

    🚗 Tiger Steps Away After DUI Arrest

    Tiger Woods is taking an indefinite break from golf to seek treatment following a TWO-CAR crash in Jupiter that led to a DUI arrest. Cops found pills in his pocket during the arrest, and Augusta National has already confirmed he won’t be at the Masters. (source)

    Look, this isn’t the time for jokes. The man clearly needs help, and stepping away is the right call. What’s wild is how quickly Augusta moved to clarify he won’t be there — usually they’d let speculation swirl for weeks. The fact that they immediately shut it down tells you everything about how serious this situation is. Tiger’s been through this cycle before, and honestly? Good for him for recognizing it early this time instead of letting it spiral further.

    The golf world will survive without Tiger for however long he needs. His health matters more than our entertainment, and anyone saying otherwise needs to check themselves. We’ll be here when he’s ready to come back — if he chooses to come back at all.

    🏌️‍♀️ Michelle Wie West’s Riviera Encore

    Michelle Wie West is coming out of retirement for ONE MORE round at the 2026 U.S. Women’s Open at Riviera. (source)

    This is actually perfect?? She “retired” at Pebble Beach in 2023, but getting to play the U.S. Women’s Open at RIVIERA is too good to pass up. Historic venue, historic tournament, and she gets to write her own ending on her terms. Sometimes the farewell tour needs a director’s cut.

    ⛳ PING’s “Focus” Putters Are Here to Fix Your Brain

    PING just dropped their new Scottsdale TEC mallets that are supposedly designed to “improve your focus” through visual engineering. Because apparently the problem with your putting isn’t your stroke — it’s that your putter isn’t pretty enough to hold your attention. (source)

    Speaking of putters that claim to fix everything, if you’re serious about putting performance, you might want to check out LAB Golf’s innovative designs that actually address real putting physics instead of just visual gimmicks.

    🦌 COBRA x Realtree Camo Driver Exists

    COBRA teamed up with Realtree for a LIMITED-EDITION camo driver. You know, for when you want to hunt deer AND slice drives into the woods simultaneously. The irony is *chef’s kiss* — a collaboration with a hunting brand for a club you’ll lose in the trees anyway. (source)

    💰 Tour Pros Still Gaming $150 Fairway Woods

    Players like Ludvig Åberg and Jason Day are still using TWO-YEAR-OLD TaylorMade Stealth fairway woods instead of upgrading to the latest $400+ models.

    This should tell you everything about the equipment cycle. These guys have access to literally every club on the planet, unlimited fitting sessions, and personal relationships with every major manufacturer. Yet they’re sticking with “outdated” gear because it works. Meanwhile, we’re out here convinced we need the 2026 model to shave THREE strokes off our game. The tour pros aren’t upgrading because the improvements are marginal at best — but marketing departments need you to believe otherwise.

    This is exactly why equipment free agents on tour are living their best life — they can actually choose what works best instead of what’s newest.

    🎬 Fore Play’s Tiger Drama

    Riggs banned Fore Play from posting about Tiger’s arrest after his viral video caused controversy. (source)

    🏆 Valero Texas Open Tee Times Are Out

    Brian Harman returns to defend his title at TPC San Antonio with Thursday tee times now available. (source) The most exciting thing about this tournament is that it exists between WM Phoenix and the Masters — golf’s equivalent of being the opening act for the opening act.

    April Fool’s came early this year, but at least the golf kept it real. See you next week when we’re all pretending the Masters doesn’t start in six days.

  • Gary Woodland Wins Texas Children’s Houston Open; Stewart Cink Claims Victory at Hoag Classic

    Gary Woodland Wins Texas Children’s Houston Open; Stewart Cink Claims Victory at Hoag Classic

    There’s something about watching a veteran find his rhythm again, about witnessing the muscle memory kick in when it matters most. This week delivered two such moments as Gary Woodland reclaimed his place atop the PGA Tour leaderboard in Houston, while Stewart Cink reminded everyone why experience never goes out of style on the Champions circuit.

    Texas Children’s Houston Open

    Embed from Getty Images

    Woodland’s victory at the Texas Children’s Houston Open felt inevitable by Sunday’s back nine. The 2019 U.S. Open champion carved through Memorial Park Golf Course with the kind of precision that made his breakthrough season feel like yesterday, not seven years ago.

    Behind him, Nicolai Højgaard kept climbing up golf’s global ladder, finishing two shots back in a performance that has me thinking bigger moments are coming. The Danish player has been putting together solid rounds across multiple tours, and this runner-up finish is another piece of what’s becoming an impressive résumé.

    The tie for third between Johnny Keefer and Min Woo Lee at 15-under tells its own story. Keefer, still building his PGA Tour foundation, delivered the kind of weekend that shapes careers. Lee continues to flash the form that makes him one of the more intriguing international talents in the field. Sam Stevens rounded out the top five, capping a week that showed off the tour’s mix of seasoned winners and emerging threats.

    Hero Indian Open

    Embed from Getty Images

    Across the world in India, Alex Fitzpatrick was writing his own story of persistence paying off. The younger Fitzpatrick brother claimed his breakthrough professional victory at the Hero Indian Open, finishing at 9-under par in conditions that demanded both patience and precision.

    This wasn’t the kind of week where birdies came in bunches. Fitzpatrick’s winning total suggests a grind—the kind of tournament where small margins separate triumph from disappointment. His two-shot victory over Eugenio Chacarra felt earned rather than inherited, built through four days of steady decision-making rather than Sunday fireworks.

    The tie for third among Ugo Coussaud, Andy Sullivan, and MJ Daffue at 5-under reinforced the week’s theme of survival over spectacle. These DP World Tour events in Asia often reward the players who best adapt to unfamiliar rhythms, and Fitzpatrick proved most adept at finding his footing when it mattered.

    Hoag Classic

    Embed from Getty Images

    But perhaps the week’s most emphatic statement came from Newport Beach, where Stewart Cink dominated the Hoag Classic with the kind of authority that makes age seem irrelevant. At 19-under par, Cink didn’t just win—he pulled away from a field that included major champions and former world No. 1s.

    The four-shot gap between Cink and the tie for second tells the story of a week where everything clicked. Zach Johnson and Ernie Els both finished at 15-under, respectable totals that would win most weeks but looked insufficient against Cink’s relentless march to the title.

    The tie for fourth between Charlie Wi and Brian Gay at 14-under rounded out a leaderboard full of the Champions Tour’s competitive fire and hard-earned wisdom. These are players who understand their games, who know how to manufacture scoring when the moment demands it.

    Week by week, golf keeps reminding us that form and confidence can surface anywhere, at any age. From Woodland’s return to prominence to Fitzpatrick’s breakthrough to Cink’s commanding performance, this week delivered exactly the kind of varied stories that make the professional game endlessly compelling.