win – Golfing Networks

A simple gear change helped Nelly Korda win a U.S. Women’s Open

admin — Thu, 18 Jun 2026 04:48:19 +0000

Nelly Korda put fresh wedges in play at Riviera, a reminder that worn grooves can quietly cost everyday golfers spin and control.

Nelly Korda’s winning setup at the U.S. Women’s Open was full of equipment most golfers would expect from the best player in the women’s game.

There was a TaylorMade Qi4D driver, a TP5x golf ball, a Stealth 2 7-wood, P·7CB cavity-back irons and a prototype blade putter. In other words, gear that can make everyday golfers drool and lean closer to the screen, even if that exact setup might not be ideal for the average player trying to take on Riviera Country Club, which ranks 17th on Golfweek’s Best Classic Courses.

That’s the effect “winner’s bags” can have. A great player wins a huge tournament, the equipment list gets posted, and golfers start looking for magic.

However, the most useful gear lesson from Korda’s U.S. Women’s Open victory at Riviera may not be that she plays a Qi4D driver, TaylorMade’s TP5x ball or a prototype blade putter. It might be that before one of the biggest tournaments of the year, she paid attention to something many recreational golfers ignore until it is too late: Nelly put fresh wedges in the bag.

According to TaylorMade, Korda added fresh MG5 wedges for Riviera, specifically a 50-degree SB and a 54-degree HB, to get fresh grooves for firm turf conditions at the U.S. Women’s Open. That may sound small compared with a driver switch or a new putter, but around Riviera, where firm greens, tight lies and recovery shots can expose inconsistencies, it matters.

Most amateurs understand that grips wear out, balls get scuffed and driver faces can crack.

Wedge grooves are different. They wear down gradually, almost invisibly, until one day the ball that used to check near the hole starts releasing like it has a dinner reservation somewhere behind the green.

Fresh grooves are not about making a wedge “better” in some mysterious, Tour-only way. They restore consistency. When grooves are sharp and clean, especially on partial shots, bunker shots and pitches from grass, they help the face manage moisture, debris and friction. That can create more predictable spin and launch.

As grooves wear, you won’t lose control immediately. Instead, you may notice that one shot checks and the next one hops and runs. Suddenly, what felt like a technique problem might be an equipment maintenance problem.

For Korda, the move was tied to Riviera’s firm turf. On softer courses, players can use trajectory and landing angle to help stop the ball. On firm courses, especially major championship setups, spin control becomes more valuable because the margin for error shrinks. Otherwise, a good shot can become a 25-footer.

Korda’s week was not won only with wedges. She drove the ball beautifully, hit controlled iron shots and leaned on the all-around game that has made her the dominant player in women’s golf.

But the wedge detail is important because it shows how elite players think about equipment. They are not just asking, “What is the newest club?” They are asking, “What does this course demand?”

You probably do not need Korda’s exact driver specs, her prototype putter or to organize your golf life around what a major champion uses, unless you also have a world-class swing, elite speed control and a short game that travels under U.S. Open pressure.

But you probably need to look at your wedges because most avid players use them for too long.

If you play a lot, practice from bunkers, hit range balls with your wedges or use the same 54-degree or 56-degree club for everything inside 100 yards, the grooves may be more worn than you think.

That does not mean you need to replace your wedges every few months like a Tour player. Tour pros hit more shots, practice more often and compete on firmer, faster surfaces where tiny differences are magnified. But recreational golfers often go too far in the other direction, keeping wedges in the bag for years while expecting them to perform like they did when they were new.

For you, the better question is whether your wedge shots still behave the way you expect. Do half-wedges launch higher and spin less than they used to? Do chips release more than they did a season ago? Do bunker shots feel like they are sliding up the face?

Maybe it is technique, but maybe your wedge grooves are dulling.

Scoring clubs are precision tools, and precision tools wear.

Golfers love to talk about gaining 10 yards with a driver. Distance is fun. Drivers are cool, but nobody walks into a golf shop and says, “I would like to spend money on spin consistency from 47 yards,” unless they are either very serious or their short game is in bad shape.

Before Riviera asked her to control trajectory, spin and distance under major championship pressure, Nelly Korda made sure two of her most important scoring clubs were fresh.

A fresh wedge won’t make you as good as Nelly Korda, but it might make your next pitch behave more like the shot you thought you hit.

David Dusek is a senior writer for Golfweek, covering equipment and technology.

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Motocaddy Electric Caddies Used by University of Wyoming to Win the Golfweek National Golf Invitational

admin — Mon, 15 Jun 2026 04:13:11 +0000

-NGI event marked the first time an electric caddy was used in NCAA golf-

Motocaddy, the world’s leading electric caddy brand, announced today that the University of Wyoming used its game-enhancing products en route to victory at the Golfweek Women’s National Golf Invitational (NGI) over the weekend.

The 54-hole stroke-play event, held at Ak-Chin Southern Dunes in Maricopa, Arizona, saw the University of Wyoming’s four lowest players experience a Motocaddy M1 DHC electric caddy to help secure a record-breaking wire-to-wire victory in the fourth edition of the Women’s NGI. The Wyoming Cowgirls carded an impressive three-round total of 873 (+9) to beat the previous NGI record by four strokes.

From a performance standpoint, participants who used an electric caddy scored six shots better on average than those who opted to carry their clubs. This included a three-shot difference in the final round alone, where using an electric caddy provided a clear advantage in the hot and windy conditions when fatigue had undoubtedly set in.

Motocaddy’s sponsorship of the NGI offered participants the unique opportunity to experience an electric caddy for the first time in NCAA golf, with 70% of players using an electric caddy, and 85% of the field relying on a Motocaddy product (electric caddy or push cart) to play without the strain of carrying a golf bag over the three days. The final leaderboard showed that nine out of the top 12 players used a Motocaddy product over the weekend.

“We’d like to congratulate the University of Wyoming team on their success at the NGI where we were thrilled to see such strong usage of our leading products,” says Andy Warren, VP of Sales at Motocaddy. “This is a real landmark moment for Motocaddy and the electric caddy market as a whole, and we are proud to be leading the charge in helping collegiate golfers get the best out of their game.”

Commenting on the response from participants, Golfweek’s Lance Ringler, NGI Tournament Director, says: “It was really cool to see so many players using the electric carts. All the comments were positive, with most saying how easy it was! To have the NGI be the first college tournament to use this was exciting for us. This week represented something that could become more widespread in college golf.”

According to Josey Stender, Head Women’s Golf Coach at the University of Wyoming, Motocaddy electric caddies were a tremendous benefit to her team throughout the competition. “From the initial instruction through to the competition itself, the user-experience was seamless, and the caddies really supported each player’s physical and mental endurance – especially in the heat when tiredness kicked in,” she says. “They relieved the enormous stress of carrying a golf bag for three successive rounds and we’d absolutely look to use again if permitted.”

The Motocaddy electric caddy range is comprised of the award-winning M7 GPS REMOTE and M7 REMOTE, offering ultra-responsive remote navigation and exceptional control on all terrains; the M5 GPS DHC, featuring next-generation GPS software and a 3.5” LCD touchscreen display; and the M1 DHC models, widely recognized as the world’s simplest-to-use compact-folding model. Each model showcases strikingly modern looks with advanced technology, premium finishes and a streamlined design to deliver a smarter, more intuitive walking experience.

Additionally, the individual champion used a Motocaddy QB2 push cart on her way to a tournament-record victory, following rounds of 71, 68 and 70 for a three-day total of 209 (6-under par).

“The entire Motocaddy team is incredibly proud of the association with the NGI and we are delighted with the overwhelmingly positive reaction to our game-enhancing products,” adds Warren. “It’s made us super excited to work with coaches and players at next week’s men’s event and showcase why using an electric caddy is the best decision an elite-level golfer can make.”

For more information about Motocaddy products, including electric caddies, push carts, bags, and accessories, please visit www.motocaddy.us, email andy.warren@motocaddy.com or follow @motocaddyusa across all social media platforms.

-ends-

For further information, please contact Matt Curtis at Sports Impact at matt.curtis@sports-impact.com or Oliver Churcher, Marketing Director at marketing@motocaddy.com.

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Eugenio Chacarra’s PGA Tour dreams come closer after ‘unique’ KLM win

admin — Sun, 07 Jun 2026 18:54:11 +0000

Eugenio Chacarra called Sunday’s win at the DP World Tour’s KLM Open “very unique” because he triumphed in front of his father. But Sunday’s emotional win in Amsterdam was also different because of what the former LIV Golf member had to navigate on his final hole en route to victory.

Chacarra arrived at the 72nd hole holding a one-shot lead over Oliver Lindell, who played in the group ahead. As the tournament reached its climax, protestors ran onto the course and into the pond that surrounded the 18th green, setting off flares and chanting as the players made their way to the green. Lindell hit his approach shot into the par-5 as the chaos was unfolding.

Lindell’s approach came up a tad short of the green, but he was still able to get up-and-down for birdie to tie the lead and put the pressure on Chacarra.

But Chacarra answered the bell. He striped his tee shot and then sent his approach to the back of the putting surface, which gave him an easy two-putt for a closing birdie and his second DP World Tour win.

“Shot of my career, maybe,” Chacarra said of his shot into the 18th green. “That was a little tweener, but with adrenaline, I’m going to try to hit this one hard. It flew 10-15 [yards] longer than we thought. So, proud to see the ball land on the green and then took a nice first putt to give me a putt that you always dream of, a putt that you can’t really miss to win a tournament.”

DP World Tour staffers lined the green to make sure the protestors couldn’t run onto the putting surface as the tournament finished. The reason for the protests was not immediately clear. Two years ago at the KLM Open, protestors from Extinction Rebellion delayed tee times for several hours.

After knocking in his short, closing birdie putt, Chacarra let out a primal scream, and then the emotions started to flow.

“[I was thinking about] all the people that have been with me through my career,” Chacarra said after the win, which moved him inside the top 100 in the Official World Golf Rankings.

“It’s nice to win with my dad here. He’s given everything for me since I was little so it was something very unique and I think of him, for sure.”

With the win, Chacarra is projected to move to No. 6 in the season-long Race to Dubai standings. The top 10 players at the end of the year who are not already exempt on the PGA Tour will earn their cards for 2027.

Two weeks ago, Chacarra left a playoff at a U.S. Open qualifier in Dallas early before he had a chance to earn an alternate spot at Shinnecock Hills. Chacarra explained that he needed to catch a flight to get to Belgium to prepare for the DP World Tour’s Soudal Open. His main goal is to get to the PGA Tour and winning on the DP World Tour is the most direct route to that goal. He finished T22 that week and T12 the following week in Turkey.

On Sunday, the 26-year-old Chacarra battled tough scoring conditions and a protest-interrupted final hole to claim his second win on the European circuit and move closer to his dream of playing on the PGA Tour.

“This is a step a little closer to that,” Chacarra said after his win.

Once the No. 2-ranked amateur in the world, Chacarra joined LIV Golf in 2022. He spent three years on the rebel circuit before his contract was not renewed after the 2024 season. After leaving LIV, Chacarra noted that the Saudi-backed league was about “only money,” and that he wanted to chase his original golf dreams.

“I know this is what my heart tells me is right and it works for my motivation to wake up and grind and get better, and to say I can be a PGA Tour player one day,” Chacarra told Flushing It after leaving LIV. “So this decision is what’s best for me. I’m very thankful for what they’ve done, but my mind is different now and I want to get to what I was dreaming about when I was little. Because obviously LIV didn’t exist when I was growing up. I was watching Tiger Woods winning on the PGA Tour, and I want to do that.”

After coming out on top in Amsterdam, Eugenio Chacarra’s PGA Tour dreams are right in front of him. All that’s left is for him to finish the DP World Tour season strong and grab them.

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Senior PGA Champion plays Graphite Design Tour AD in Win

admin — Sat, 09 May 2026 23:52:12 +0000

Carlsbad, CA – Pro’s Choice Golf Shafts, Inc. announces that the winner of the Senior PGA Championship, held at The Concession Golf Club in Bradenton, FL, was playing a Graphite Design Tour AD XC-6 X-Stiff wood shaft in his Ping G440 MAX Driver, claiming his third win of the 2026 season.

Additionally, on the LIV Golf Tour, the winner of the LIV Golf Mexico City event was playing a Graphite Design Tour AD DI-8 X-Stifff flex wood shaft in each of his Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke Triple Diamond #3 and #5 Fairway metal woods, collecting his second LIV Golf trophy this year. Also, the winner of the Korn Ferry Tour Tulum Championship at PGA Riviera Maya was playing a Graphite Design Tour AD DI 95 X-Stiff hybrid shaft in his Titleist GT3 19° Hybrid.

“Congratulations to the standout winners at the Senior PGA Championship, LIV Golf Mexico City, and the Tulum Championship events this past weekend. It was an impressive display of elite-level golf across all three tours, and we are honored that each champion trusted Graphite Design premium Tour AD shafts in their clubs to deliver tour-level Accuracy and Distance under pressure”, stated Simon Wood, Tour Promotions Manager, Pro’s Choice Golf Shafts, Inc.

The Graphite Design Tour AD XC, designed for “Xtra Carry,” was developed and is manufactured at Graphite Design Japan’s headquarters. It is black with silver and red accents, a silver fade on the tip, and a matte clear coat.

Like the other high-performance Tour AD wood shafts, the Tour AD XC utilizes premium, aerospace-quality carbon-fiber materials and is available in 40g R2, R1, and S flex, 50g R2, R1, S and X flex, 60g SR, S, X and TX flex, 70g S, X and TX flex, and 80g S and X flex.

The Tour AD XC shaft profile is softer in the butt section, stiffer in the center section, and has a stiff tip to promote a low-to-mid launch angle and low spin with the ball. The Tour AD XC also utilizes the brand new TORAYCA® M40X carbon-fiber pre-preg in the Mid to Tip Section of the shaft, as well as the TORAYCA® T1100G carbon-fiber pre-preg with NANOALLOY® technology in the tip section of the shaft for unrivaled shaft stability and precise ball control without the loss of the exceptional feel that Graphite Design shafts are so well known for.

Get fit with your local professional club fitter into the new Graphite Design Tour AD XC and get ready to experience the Xtra Carry you are looking for to lower your scores.

About Pro’s Choice:

Pro’s Choice Golf Shafts is the exclusive distributor of Graphite Design golf shafts in the United States, Canada, Mexico, Europe, UAE, South Africa, South America, and Australia. Pro’s Choice Golf Shafts distributes all of the current Graphite Design shafts, including the new 2026 Graphite Design Tour AD FI wood shaft model, as well as the Anti-Gravity aG33-3, Tour AD GC, Tour AD VF, Tour AD CQ, Tour AD UB, Tour AD XC, Tour AD IZ, and Tour AD DI models of shafts. The company is located in Carlsbad, California, with a distribution warehouse located in Southern California.

About Graphite Design:

Located in Chichibu, Japan, Graphite Design has over 36 years of experience designing and manufacturing premium graphite-composite golf shafts. Numerous Graphite Design shafts can be seen in play by the best professional players on all tours worldwide. Validating the company’s “Tour AD” logo, all of Graphite Design’s Tour-proven shafts specifically promote “Accuracy and Distance”. On Tour, Graphite Design shafts recorded 44 Global tournament victories in 2025 and have helped numerous golf professionals earn well over 580 tour victories and multi-millions of dollars in prize money since inception.

Bill McPherson, Pro’s Choice Golf Shafts, b.mcpherson@proschoicegolfshafts.com, 619-454-6283

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Here’s everything a PGA Tour win gave Matt Fitzpatrick’s brother Alex

admin — Mon, 27 Apr 2026 01:36:20 +0000

Matt Fitzpatrick will collect a check, but really, Alex Fitzpatrick will emerge from this week’s Zurich Classic as the winner.

You needed only to watch the scene on the 18th green on Sunday evening at the Zurich Classic to know that was true. It was there, on the 18th, that the Fitzpatrick Brothers emerged victorious after a glorious mid-range sand-shot from elder brother (and U.S. Open champ) Matt. And it was there, on the 18th, that Alex realized the fulfillment of his greatest life dream.

“Yeah, I’m still lost for words,” Alex Fitzpatrick said afterward, still gobsmacked. “Just an overwhelming emotion of happiness. Like Matt said, at the start of the week it was coming here to be a family and spend time with each other, eat Mr. B’s, and have a great week. To be sitting here now and done what we did, yeah, I’m pretty speechless.”

If you wanted to know why Alex Fitzpatrick was speechless, the trophy celebration didn’t provide all the answers. You see, his win was bigger than just a title at a PGA Tour event, and bigger than a winner’s check. By winning at the Zurich, the younger Fitzpatrick also clinched a series of career-altering perks, which we list in their entirety below.

What Alex Fitzpatrick really won at the Zurich Classic

1. A PGA Tour card

The biggest and most significant benefit of Alex Fitzpatrick’s victory is PGA Tour status. By virtue of a winner’s exemption, Alex earned full PGA Tour status through the end of 2028, giving him the rarest gift in pro golf — job security — for the next 18 months.

2. A PGA Championship invite

Hopefully Alex hadn’t planned out his spring break for the second week in May, because those plans went up in smoke the second his final putt hit the bottom of the cup. Fitzpatrick earned an invite into the PGA Championship at Aronimink with his win, giving him his second career major championship start, following only the 2023 Open Championship.

3. A Players Championship invite

Thanks to his victory on Sunday, Fitzpatrick will also play in the PGA Tour’s flagship event next March at TPC Sawgrass.

4. Signature Events!

If you’re a player with $3 million in career earnings and you’re hoping to multiply your bank account, the Tour’s $20 million Signature Events series is a pretty good place to start. Fitzpatrick will have the chance to do exactly that over the coming months thanks to the Signature Events invites he received on Sunday evening. Fitzpatrick will spend the rest of his 2026 teeing up in some of the most lucrative events in golf, including the Cadillac Championship, Truist Championship, Memorial Tournament and Travelers Championship.

5. $1,375,000

Fitzpatrick’s win wasn’t just about money, but it was a little bit about money. He’d won $3 million in his career as a pro prior to Sunday’s victory, and he won nearly half of that total on Sunday evening, adding $1.375 million to his career earnings with the win.

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RORY MCILROY: “IT’S JUST REALLY DIFFICULT TO WIN THE MASTERS”

admin — Tue, 14 Apr 2026 00:36:12 +0000

Speaking to the media just minutes after reclaiming the Green Jacket, Rory McIlroy reflects on his week at Augusta and discusses how he is reassessing his future goals in light of his return to winning majors

Last year you completed the career grand slam, and this year became the fourth player to defend your title. Could you share your emotions after going back-to-back?

RORY McILROY: I thought it was so difficult to win last year because of trying to win the Masters and the grand slam, and then this year I realised it’s just really difficult to win the Masters. I tried to convince myself it was both.

Yeah, just incredible. I obviously did the bulk of my work on Thursday and Friday. I don’t think I would have believed anyone if they said to me all you have to do is shoot even-par for the weekend and you’ll win. I definitely thought I was going to need to go out there and at least shoot a couple of under-par scores.

Yesterday [Saturday], I felt the golf course was gettable pretty much all day, but today [Sunday] the wind was up a little bit. It was gusty. It made things definitely a little more tricky, especially on the back nine.

I just had to hang in there. I did a decent green session on Saturday night and tried to figure a couple of things out, and I definitely hit my irons better today. I think I struck the ball better today overall, which was good to see, but I still needed to rely on my short game those last few holes. The up-and-down on 16 and the up-and-down on 17 were huge.

I was just delighted to be able to get it done. Having a six-shot lead going into the weekend, it would have been a bitter pill to swallow if I wasn’t able to get myself over the finish line.

Can you just take us through what you were trying to do with the tee shot on 12, and if that was the line you were going for, and what club you hit?

The wind was in off the left. I played a practice round with Tom Watson in 2009, and he said to me on the 12th tee he always waited until he felt where the wind should be and then just hit it as soon as you can.

So that’s what I did. The wind was all over the place. When I stood up on the tee, it felt like it was off the right, and I looked at the 11th flag, it was blowing right to left. But I was patient, and I waited to feel where the wind should have been coming from, and I knew it was just a perfect three-quarter 9-iron.

I aimed it at the middle of the bunker. Probably didn’t anticipate it to drift as far right as it did. That’s why you give yourself a little bit of margin for error. That was a really good golf shot at the right time and probably a golf shot I wouldn’t have been able to hit yesterday if I didn’t go to the range and try to figure a few things out and try to neutralize the ball flight a little bit. Yeah, it was an absolutely huge shot for me in the tournament.

What do you think this tournament and this golf course has taught you about life?

Maybe that good things come to those who wait. Just keep going. I find myself in a very similar position today to where I was in the last round last year, two or three behind, but I played solid golf after that.

I was 4-under for an 11-hole stretch there, which is what I needed to do to give myself that cushion going up the last. I just tried really hard to focus on myself. I thought that if I could get to 14-under everyone else would struggle to get to that score. So that was the number I had in my head. I got to 13 on the last and had that two-shot cushion.
I didn’t quite get there, but yeah, just keep going. Keep your head down and keep it going. If you put the hours in and work on the right things, eventually it will come good for you.

This game has such odd mystery to it. What is it about golf where a player is never exactly the same from one day to the next?

You have a lot of time to think. You’re out there a long time. There’s a long time between shots. There’s a long time between rounds.

Of all the big sports, I do think golf is the most mentally challenging. I think it’s hard to stay in the same mental space for four days in a row. I was in a great mental space, like say on the 13th tee shot, for example. All of my practice rounds up here, the weeks leading into it, Monday, Tuesday, great. I hit two left on Wednesday off the tee. Then Thursday, Friday, Saturday, I didn’t sniff hitting the fairway.

So, it’s just there’s little things that happen that just start to make you second guess things. It’s just very hard to stay in the right spot mentally for a long period of time.

How was it having your parents in attendance for this? How did that change the emotional experience for you today?

I caught myself on the golf course a couple of times thinking about them, and I was like ‘no, not yet, not yet’. Yeah, it’s really cool to have them here. They missed it last year, and the first thing I wanted to do was fly home to see them because I obviously wouldn’t be sitting up here if it wasn’t for them.

I had to convince them to come this year because they thought the reason I won last year was because they weren’t here. I said on the putting green that I’m glad we proved that wrong, so they can keep coming as long as they want.

Given you had a six-shot lead after 36 holes and then were two shots behind with nine holes to play. You don’t like to make things easy on yourself.

Yeah. I used to make it easy back in my early 20s when I was winning these things by eight shots. No, it’s just it’s hard. It’s hard to win golf tournaments – especially around Augusta. You’ve had maybe a couple of runaway winners over the years, but it always seems to be a very tight finish at this golf course. I think it’s the nature of the course, it’s the nature of what’s at stake.

I walked into the dining in the locker room yesterday, and I sat with Shane [Lowry] and Tyrrell [Hatton], and they were both saying, ‘geez, like when we finished, we were like one or two behind, and then all of a sudden we’re seven behind’. And I said ‘Boys, there’s a long way to go. There’s a lot that can happen in a golf tournament over 36 holes or even 18 holes.’

I certainly didn’t think I was home and dry after Friday night, and I knew I still had lots of work to do. But I still thought I would need to shoot under-par to get the job done, but thankfully I did enough.

Can you just grade the different parts of your game throughout the week? Driving, irons, around the greens, putting. I’m curious what is your conception of how you played versus how you think you could have played?

I felt like I didn’t drive the ball great. I drove it better today, but I would give my overall driving a B-minus. For three days my irons were really good, Thursday, Friday, and today I felt like I hit some better iron shots. Saturday was really poor, so I’d give that a B.

Then my scrambling and my short game and my putting, that’s what won me the tournament this week. Even the chip on 17 wasn’t that easy today. That was a really good chip shot. So, I’d give my short game and my putting an A-plus.

Can you explain the situation hitting balls Saturday night and what you were able to work out and how that might have helped you today?

My swing path was just getting a little bit too far to the right with every club in the bag, so I was just hitting too much of a draw. Then when the path is coming from that far inside, if you don’t keep your body moving at all, the ball is just going to go dead left.

So I focused on hitting quite a few cut shots; really trying to open up my lower body through impact. When I do that, it helps me stabilize the club face and start the ball more on line with more of a neutral flight.

That was really the feel that I tried to get last night, and that was the feel I brought into today. Starting at the 1st hole, I hit some much better iron shots.

What were your conversations like with your caddie, Harry, today, especially coming up 18 after your tee shot?

There wasn’t really much to say. I think we were both just hoping that my ball wasn’t in a really bad spot or behind a tree. I was just hoping that I had a swing. No, it was pretty quiet out there. It was pretty tense. After the double-bogey on six we were just sort of talking try to get back to even-par for the day after nine. He was trying to encourage me, telling me there’s plenty of time left, just try to keep hitting fairways and greens.

There wasn’t a ton of talk out there. I think we both knew what we needed to do. I just needed to step up and execute.

You were pretty open last year after you won about taking some time to really soak it in before getting back to the grind. Is this going to be the same or different, do you think?

I think different. I said at the start of the weekend here I felt like the grand slam was the destination, and I realised it wasn’t. I’ve just won my sixth major and I feel like I’m in a really good spot with my game and my body.

I don’t want to put a number on it, but I feel like this win is just a part of the journey. I still have things I want to achieve, but I still want to enjoy it as well.

I’ve waited so long to win the Masters, and suddenly I win two in a row. So, I still want to enjoy it. I’ve got a couple of weeks off before I go back to play competitive golf, but I don’t think I’ll go through that lull of motivation or the sort of things that I was feeling last year post winning this tournament.

You’ve avoided number goals throughout your life, but you have said you would like to be considered the greatest European of all time. We’ll debate it forever, but how does it feel to at least be in that conversation now?

Yeah, like today I tie Nick [Faldo] for major wins, so there’s obviously going to be that conversation, and that debate is going to be hard. But it’s a cool conversation to be a part of.

Again, it took me 10 years to win my fifth major, and then my sixth one’s come pretty soon after it. I’m not putting a number on it, but I certainly don’t want to stop here.

I just wonder if you can compare and contrast in the moment the emotion last year versus this year of winning here. Not just the moment you won, but the process of trying to win.

It felt similar. I felt like I was a lot more controlled over the last few holes. I made really good swings, hit some good tee shots, hit the 17th fairway for the first time this week, which was a good swing, which I needed to do. Once I got that ball up-and-down from the back of 16, I just said to myself on the 17th tee, I just need four more good swings. I made one, but somehow I got it done.

In the moment, I think when the ball trickled by the cup on 18 and I marked it there from two inches or whatever, I just looked at the back of the green, and I give it one of these because I saw my mum and dad and Erica and Poppy, and I was just like I can’t believe I’ve just done it again. I wasn’t as emotional as I was last year, but just, wow, it’s amazing. I can’t believe I did it again.

You were behind Cameron Young early on and then you were behind Justin Rose, and then you had Scottie Scheffler breathing down your neck. Was there any point today when you felt like you might have let this one slip away?

I don’t know if it ever felt that way. I think, if I hadn’t birdied the 7th and 8th holes, that I would have started to have to push a little bit. But I think the birdies on 7 and 8, Justin bogeying 11 and 12, I and then me birdieing 12, I never felt like I was out of it. I never felt like I had to press at all.

I knew that there was some important shots coming up, but I really just felt, okay, if I just don’t make any bogeys, if I just sort of limit the mistakes over these next few holes, knowing with how the back nine of the Masters goes and people are inevitably going to make a couple of mistakes here and there, I felt like if I was the one not to make the mistake, then I would be in a good spot.

It was stressful to watch, but you didn’t look all that stressed or flustered yourself. What was the moment of greatest stress during the final day, and how did you get through that moment?

I’d say walking off the 18th tee not knowing where my ball was. I think that was the moment of greatest stress. It could go anywhere. It could be anywhere.

There were a few others. I thought my second putt on 11 was huge to avoid making bogey there. That green, I felt, was a lot slower than the rest of the greens this week just because it was new and definitely different characteristics in terms of the slopes of that green are so different than what it used to be. Cam and I both left our putts short there, but I held a really good second putt, which was a big point in the day, I felt.

You talked so much coming into this week about your preparation. I’m curious if this is the most prepared you feel you’ve been before a major championship and what you can take from your prep for this that you’re going to try to implement moving forward?

I joked last week and going into this week that this place feels like my home course. I haven’t played anywhere else in the last two or three weeks really. I felt prepared in that way. I felt prepared that wherever I hit it on the golf course, I sort of know what to do. I know where to miss. I’m pretty comfortable with all the shots around the greens.

Yeah, I think it’s a good blueprint, but I’m not going to take three weeks off before every major. It’s important to get to the major venues early, do your preparation, play. And not just play and look at things, but actually play. Go out there with one ball, shoot a score, and try to do it that way.

When I’ve talked to Jack Nicklaus over the years how he prepared for majors, and he would go the week before, and he would simulate a tournament. He’d play one ball for four days, shoot scores. So then when he got to the tournament, it felt second nature to him. I did a little bit of that leading up to here, and I think that’s certainly a good way to prepare going into the next majors.

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WHO WILL WIN THE 90TH MASTERS? – Golf News

admin — Tue, 07 Apr 2026 15:52:32 +0000

The Masters Tournament is more than just a golf event — it’s a rite of spring, a celebration of golfing tradition, and one of the most anticipated sporting occasions of the year.

As we enter Masters Week, the betting landscape is heating up, with punters and fans eager to place their wagers on who will slip into the coveted Green Jacket at Augusta National.

Held annually at the iconic Augusta National Golf Club in Georgia, The Masters was founded in 1934 by Bobby Jones and Clifford Roberts. Since then, it has become the first major of the golfing calendar and arguably the most revered. From the pristine azalea-lined fairways to the legendary Amen Corner, Augusta’s setting is as much a part of the Masters mystique as its champions.

Betting on the Masters has long been a popular pastime, with markets ranging from outright winner and top-five finishes to more niche bets like hole-in-one props or leader after each round. The drama, the course’s unpredictability, and the star-studded field combine to make it a punter’s paradise.

PAST CHAMPIONS: LEGENDS OF THE GAME

Some of golf’s greatest names have triumphed at Augusta. Jack Nicklaus holds the record with six Masters titles, while Tiger Woods famously secured his fifth in 2019, cementing one of sport’s greatest comebacks.

More recent winners include Hideki Matsuyama (2021), Scottie Scheffler (2022/2024), Jon Rahm (2023), and last year’s champion, Rory McIlroy, who completed the major career grand slam in nerve-jangling style, each showcasing a mix of composure, strategy, and brilliance required to tame Augusta.

THE 2026 BETTING FAVOURITES

As the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club approaches, the betting landscape is taking shape with key players emerging as frontrunners. Defending champion Rory McIlroy leads the pack following his stirring and long-awaited victory 12 months ago. With the proverbial monkey now off his back, the Northern Irishman will be able to play without the added pressure, and a freewheeling approach may spur him onto to further major success.

His form coming into the event is nothing to write home about, but the 36-year-old is gearing his seasons around peaking for the major championships these days, so it would be no surprise to see him return to the form that made him such a force last year.

Two-time Masters champions Scottie Scheffler, who currently heads the betting market at 11/2, will be driving down Magnolia Lane with similar question marks over his current form, with the world no.1 having failed to add a ‘W’ to his CV this year, although three top-five finishes from six events still point to a player primed to raise his game on the world’s biggest stage this week.

Other notable contenders include 2023 Masters champion Jon Rahm, who has been enjoying some good results on LIV Golf League this season, although it remains to be seen whether his move to LIV Golf will impact his effectiveness to compete in the major championship.

Big-hitting Ludvig Åberg is also drawing attention in the Masters betting markets, reflecting his rising prominence in the golf world and his great showing in his first visit to Augusta National in 2024, weeks here he finished second, and his seventh-place effort last year. His failure to register wins from promising positions this season may put some punters off from investing in the 26-year-old Swede, but he clearly has the game to thrive around Augusta’s twists and turns.

Scottie Scheffler will be bidding to win his third green jacket this week after wins in 2022 and and 2024 (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

FINAL THOUGHTS

As always, betting on the Masters should come with a blend of passion and caution. Augusta is a course that rewards experience but isn’t afraid to yield to rising stars. Whether you’re backing a seasoned veteran or a breakout rookie, the 90th Masters promises high drama, unforgettable moments, and perhaps a big win for those who read the field just right.

SELECTED BETWAY ODDS

Scottie Scheffler 11/2

Bryson DeChambeau 10/1

Jon Rahm 10/1

Rory Mcllroy 11/1

Xander Schauffele 12/1

Ludvig Aberg 14/1

Brooks Koepka 33/1

Tommy Fleetwood 18/1

Matt Fitzpatrick 18/1

Justin Rose 25/1

Robert MacIntyre 25/1

Collin Morikawa 25/1

Hideki Matsuyama 28/1

Patrick Reed 33/1

Jordan Spieth 40/1

Viktor Hovland 40/1

Full odds can be found at Betway

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NELLY KORDA INTERVIEW: REFLECTING ON FIRST WIN IN 2026

admin — Fri, 20 Mar 2026 16:45:37 +0000

Nelly Korda reflects on brutal conditions, mental discipline and trust in her process after a weather-shortened victory, as she opens the season with confidence, and a new driver in the bag in one of the finest rounds of her career at Lake Nona.

Q. Nelly…Take us through the week.

NELLY KORDA: Yeah, I mean, Thursday, Friday were great. The weather was maybe getting a little bit windier on Friday but conditions were super nice.

We knew ten days before this or a week before this that Saturday and Sunday were going to be really tough, especially with the wind projection for Saturday afternoon and then the cold temps that it was bringing for Sunday.

So it was just kind of mentally prepare for it. Yesterday was probably one of my best rounds I’ve ever played in my career. Just really proud of everything that Jay and I went through to get to that point of the process, the mental clarity of my shots, and commitment to each one of them.

So overall, just really happy.

You know, Orlando threw lot at us in a few days.

Q. Take us through the process of when you got to the course and getting ready to hopefully go out there and competing today and finding out the news.

NELLY KORDA: Yeah, I was fully mentally preparing foregoing out and playing 18, battling for the win.

You know, it was definitely getting a little bit antsy just sitting in dining kind of waiting to see what was going to happen throughout the day.

I knew once the girls were going to go out and finish the third round I just wanted to get out and just start my routine no matter what happened.

So went to the gym, warmed up, and then went to the putting green, did my routine there, and then walked to the range. Was still very routine-oriented. I tried to get into the mindset, because a couple years ago I was three back with two to play, so I was trying to give myself the mindset like anything can happen; just go out and still stick to your own process.

Q. Another tournament for you and Jess to share, both winning the event. Just how special is it when those moments overlap?

NELLY KORDA: Yeah, it’s crazy. Super grateful for that, that we get to share the sport, all these memories together. Wish she was out here like I was for hers.

Overall, just grateful for this game bringing us closer together and sharing so many great things that we get to look back on.

Q. Kind of piggybacking on that, when your sister won here Mardy Fish also won the celebrity side. How cool is that that not only do you share the tournament win, but also Mardy Fish seems to be a good luck charm for the Kordas.

NELLY KORDA: Yeah, Mardy is great. I’ve known him for so many years obviously with the tennis background. He played really well, too. He’s such a solid great golfer.

So, yeah, I actually didn’t know that, that he won that year and he won the same year I did. But overall, I love spending time with Mardy. We haven’t (sic) gotten to play a couple times together, but every single time we have shared the golf course together it’s been a blast.

Q. When was the last time you won a tournament without hitting a shot on the final day?

NELLY KORDA: Probably never. (Laughter.) I don’t think so. As I said, every win of mine is very interesting always. But, yeah, to answer that question, probably never.

Q. An unusual way of going about it, but just to get the year off with a win, especially after coming close but not being able to last year.

NELLY KORDA: Yeah, golf is a game of centimeters. You know, there were so many times last year where I wished I had an inch here or a centimeter there where it would’ve changed the story completely.

That’s how it goes sometimes. As long as you are mentally 100% in it and preparing to your best ability, that’s all you can control at the end of the day; same with weather.

So I was so close. I played really well last year. Obviously didn’t get the win, but I played some amazing golf the first three days this week and I’m really proud of myself, my team, and all the work that we have put in when no one was watching and everyone was talking about it.

So just very happy to get the first win of the year, and hopefully that leads into a great year, too. No matter what, like I’m always going put 100% into it. With results, when it comes to sports, you just never know. The only thing you can control is the level and the input that you put into your craft and your sport. I will always be doing that.

No matter the results, I know that mentally I’m doing that every single day I step on the golf course, and that’s what I’m proud of.

Q. Congratulations, first of all.

NELLY KORDA: Thank you.

Q. So this is a game of centimeters. Is there anything over the first three rounds that you can look at that you feel you did better than on the whole of last year?

NELLY KORDA: I did a lot of good last year. Just kind of wasn’t going my way. I guess I was just so focused on being really present, which I told myself to do that last year, too. Maybe the outside noise did make its way in a little bit more than I wanted to.

I learned a lot from that. I actually — there are times where it’s like, okay I’m very grateful to go through the lows because they make me appreciate the highs so much and make me appreciate what I need to really pay attention to and what is actually relevant to me.

As long as my team knows who I am and that I’m putting 110% into it and they’re on the same wave length of putting 110% in it, that’s all that matters to me.

Q. With the celebrities out there playing were you surprised that you guys didn’t tee off earlier? Looking at the forecast tomorrow were you surprised that Monday wasn’t an option?

NELLY KORDA: Listen, I think the LPGA is always going to do what’s best for the players. When it comes to the internal decisions, I like to focus on myself and prepare for what’s to come with the information that I have at hand.

I know from a bunch of girls that were out there playing and practicing before, probably 110% came back in and were like what are we doing right now?

So at the end of the day, I mean, what we have on the line versus what the celebrities have on the line is a little bit different. I think the LPGA made the decision to look after their players, and at the end of the day we can’t do anything about that. All we can do is prepare with the information we are told.

Q. Kind of unique conditions out here that you don’t normally see in a professional tournament with the wind and cold.

NELLY KORDA: Yeah.

Q. You said you played one of your best rounds ever yesterday. What does that do for where mental fortitude knowing you can overcome the tough conditions and still perform?

NELLY KORDA: In 2024 I played in some brutal conditions. I’ve played in AIG British Women’s Open where the conditions are brutal. You really have to lock in. The more you play in those conditions the more you learn to really have the word patience just constantly going through your mind.

You’re going to hit some bad shots that will end up really poorly. It’s all about — in those circumstances it’s all about finding your ball, hitting it again, finding it, hitting it again, and kind of then diverting to the mindset of, okay, let’s see what we can do here. What do we have at hand.

At the end of the day those situations make me very present and I have to really dial in to, one, my target and, two, just commitment to the shot. Like everything is just about being 100% committed. I’ve had shots where it’s perfectly sunny out, 80 degrees and I’m in between two clubs, and I’m not committed to one and I kind of fly it out to the right because I’m not committed to it.

That had to go out the window in those conditions. Even if it’s the wrong decision, you have to be 100% committed to it.

Q. Sharing that stage with Mardy Fish, you went back and forth with the trophy a little bit. Who gets to take it home?

NELLY KORDA: I don’t know. He said he already has one of them and I don’t, so I guess I would take it.

Q. When a win like this happens, does it feel like a weight has been lifted for the rest of the season, and how do you look at the rest of the season?

NELLY KORDA: No, not necessarily. Like I want to perform week in and week out. I knew that everything I was doing last year was good enough to win; I just didn’t win.

It’s all about just your commitment and your practice. Like if you give your craft 100% and you know that you’re prepared week in and week out, you’re giving yourself the best opportunity to perform.

At the end of the day like that’s what we can control and that’s what I’m going to try and control.

Q. Nelly, you pointed so much to your team as a credit for your success. What role did they play in helping you get the win this week?

NELLY KORDA: Just keeping me very grounded and patient. Jay and I are out on the golf course, and then Kim off the golf course. I think we all just make sure that the outside noise is outside noise and what we’re doing internally, just to stay committed to that and just to stay very patience because we are doing the right thing and checking the boxes correctly and when the time was right, it was going to happen.

Q. Did you feel a sense of pressure being lifted off just getting last year behind you, no longer having the title defenses, and having a fresh year here?

NELLY KORDA: In a sense maybe, yeah. You know, I’m always so excited to come out and tee it up against the best players in the world. The day I don’t feel that is going to be a very bad day for me.

Still, even last year, you know, title defense, obviously you have a little bit of added pressure to yourself, but there is something so fun and exhilarating about those moments. I’ve said it a couple times: There is nothing better than going down the back nine when you’re in contention and feeling the rush of emotions.

But in a sense, yeah, it does feel nice for it to be a fresh year. You can say that it’s a fresh month, too. Last year I could have been like, okay, it’s October 1st; whatever I did this year is behind me.

But it’s all just honestly just mindset.

Q. You never want to take too much for granted, but what was the mental shift when you heard it was not going to go 72, it was only going to go 54?

NELLY KORDA: I was fully preparing that I was going to go out and play 18 until I saw that e-mail and until I saw that it was going back to 54.

But then I still had the mindset — because in Bradenton, I was three back with two to play and I knew she still had a chance. You know, there has been some crazy things happen in the game of golf or in sports in general.

So still preparing for maybe playing a playoff, but I was still 100% trying to dial in mentally.

Q. Wanted to ask one more about outside noise. Where do you mostly hear outside noise and do you try to filter things out on social media or whatnot?

NELLY KORDA: I’ve definitely taken a step back from social media. There were weeks, especially last year, where I went like a month for without evening logging into my social media. Yeah, even if you don’t want to see it, it kind of still pops up. So I definitely unfollowed a lot of golf accounts. I have done that.

And I’ve just tried to — if I’m on social I try not to look at stuff. I think it’s just a distraction at the end of the day.

Q. Do you watch golf on TV?

NELLY KORDA: Rarely. No. And if I do — when I did it was always when Tiger played. So not really. I’ll watch the highlights now.

Q. Congratulations. I know this tournament has been one where you’ve won at this property before, not this event. You’ve had five Top 5s. How good does it feel to get this one knocked off the list finally?

NELLY KORDA: Yeah, it feels amazing. I’ve played some really solid golf out here. I’ve come close; just haven’t notched the victory.

But to play the golf that I played yesterday was, as I said, I think that’s one of my best rounds that I’ve ever played in my entire life.

To come out on top just feels amazing. To do that in front of my family and friends, fiance for the first time, was really special.

Q. Having him in the crowd, and I know you have such a happy life off the golf course right now, do you think that settles you? Do you really look at things like that?

NELLY KORDA: Yeah, for sure. I love having him at events. I would say I’m a little bit of a hermit crab when I’m playing tournaments. I go to the golf course and I go to the hotel and maybe do I go out to dinner three times a week.

It’s nice. When my sister left and she got pregnant I think that was a really big mental adjustment for me not having my dinner buddy and having the person that I was so close to, so now I get to appreciate it when Casey comes out and weeks like this to have that — even if it’s in silence having a comfort there.

Q. What do you focus on when you play?

NELLY KORDA: Well, depends on the conditions. What do I focus on when I play? Usually Jason gives me three numbers. It’s the front of the green — well, actually a couple numbers, sorry.

The front of the green, the pin, and just over the green, and then we have a landing number. So when it comes to that, I focus in on my landing number, and then depending on the wind, if it’s left to right, right to left, I focus in on an exact target and keep it really simple.

NELLY’S NEW DRIVER

Nelly Korda played the same driver for over two years. In fact, she’s played that same driver head shape for eight years. So, why would she switch from something that helped her win 15 LPGA Tour titles and two major championships?

Simply put, the gains are real with Qi4D driver. In one start in 2026 with Qi4D, Nelly has one win (career win No. 16) after her dominant third round at the Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions.

“Immediately when I put this thing in the bag I loved it. It’s doing exactly what I want… having it under pressure on the golf course is what’s most important.” Nelly Korda

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PATRICK REED KEEPS CALM TO WIN AT HERO DUBAI DESERT CLASSIC – Golf News

admin — Sun, 25 Jan 2026 19:16:23 +0000

Patrick Reed claimed the fourth DP World Tour title of his career with a composed four shot victory at the 2026 Hero Dubai Desert Classic at Emirates Golf Club.

Reed Delivers Under Pressure in Dubai

The American finished on fourteen under par to secure his first Rolex Series victory and become the sixth American winner of the Dallah Trophy. Reed showed patience throughout a testing final round, particularly on the front nine where he mixed eight pars with one bogey to reach the turn with his overnight lead trimmed to two.

Spain’s David Puig mounted an early challenge with three birdies from the eighth to briefly close the gap, but Reed steadied himself with a birdie at the par five tenth to maintain control of the contest.

Patrick Reed of the United States plays his second shot on the 13th hole during the final round (Photo by Andrew Redington/Getty Images)

Key Moments Shape Final Round

Momentum swung decisively on the back nine. Reed birdied the thirteenth as Puig dropped a shot on the same hole, restoring a four shot cushion with five holes to play. From there Reed played with authority, finding fairways and greens before parring his way home.

He finished five clear after Puig bogeyed the fifteenth, closing out a confident display to lift the Dallah Trophy for the first time.

Reed Reflects on Hard Fought Victory

“It has not fully set in yet,” Reed said. “Today was a lot harder than expected and I learned a lot about managing the round.

“I tried to protect the lead early and David made a great run, but my caddie reminded me it was time to go after it on the back nine. Once we made birdie at thirteen and he bogeyed, it was about staying patient and making no mistakes.”

Strong Supporting Cast on Leaderboard

Andy Sullivan recovered from a difficult start to finish birdie birdie and claim solo second place at ten under par. Julien Guerrier of France recorded his best Rolex Series finish in third at nine under after carding an eagle and two birdies.

Nicolai Hojgaard, Francesco Molinari and Race to Dubai leader Jayden Schaper finished a shot further back. Ricardo Gouveia, Marcus Armitage and Puig ended the week at seven under par, with Puig receiving a two shot penalty for grounding his club in a bunker on the final hole.

Trophy Presentation and Distinguished Guests

Reed lifted the famous Dallah Trophy following the presentation ceremony led by His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum. The presentation party included senior figures from Dubai sport, government and tournament partners, alongside representatives from the DP World Tour and Dubai Golf.

South African amateur Christiaan Maas was also recognised with the Emirates Golf Federation Leading Amateur award.

Patrick Reed of the United States lifts the trophy (Photo by Andrew Redington/Getty Images)

Youth Golf and Creator Events Shine

Tournament celebrations began a week earlier with the Junior Dubai Desert Classic, which awarded World Amateur Golf Ranking points for the second year. Denmark’s Christian Hansen secured victory after a dramatic playoff on the Majlis Course.

Running alongside was the expanded Creators Dubai Desert Classic, bringing together sixteen leading sporting content creators. Canadian Mac Boucher won the gross title while England’s Temps claimed the net competition, earning both players a place in the tournament Pro Am.

Sustainability and Player Wellbeing in Focus

The 37th edition of the Hero Dubai Desert Classic maintained its GEO Certified status, reinforcing its commitment to sustainable golf events. The Green Incubator Challenge returned in partnership with Deloitte, with UK based Notpla named winners for their seaweed based packaging solution.

The Mental Fitness and Recovery Zone also returned, offering players access to massage, breathwork and mindfulness services throughout the week.

Tournament Director Praises Week in Dubai

Executive Tournament Director Simon Corkill said:
“Congratulations to Patrick on a dominant and well deserved victory. He played outstanding golf all week and earned his place on the Dallah Trophy.

“We welcomed one of the strongest fields in our history and delivered an event that combined world class sport, family entertainment, sustainability innovation and player wellbeing. We look forward to welcoming everyone back in 2027.”

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