Finster, Haag (70) Share Day 1 Lead at Challenging Martis Camp

The 68th U.S. Senior Amateur Championship could not have started any better at picturesque Martis Camp Club, a Tom Fazio design situated not far from Lake Tahoe. Clear blue skies, a gentle breeze and temperatures in the 70s with a relative humidity of less than 30 percent was the kind of Chamber-of-Commerce weather anyone would want for an 18-hole round.

But Martis Camp, with its thick rough, tree-lined fairways and elevation changes, wasn’t quite as nice as Mother Nature on Saturday for the opening round of stroke play.

Trish Johnson’s Sizzling 67 Grabs Lead at 5th U.S. Senior Women’s Open

What looked like it was going to be a table for one at the 5th U.S. Senior Women’s Open turned into an open party. Catriona Matthew took a three-stroke lead into Saturday’s third round at Waverley Country Club, but by day’s end Trish Johnson sat atop a leaderboard that was suddenly crowded by a slew of players that went low in an exciting third round.

After yielding only one round in the 60s over the first 36 holes – a 69 by Matthew on Thursday – Waverley surrendered a 67 by Johnson, 68 by Leta Lindley and 69s by Moira Dunn-Bohls, Patricia Meunier-Lebouc and Silvia Cavalleri as what promises to be a dynamic championship weekend began.

Catriona Matthew, Michelle McGann Grab Early Lead at 5th U.S. Senior Women’s Open

Brilliant skies hugged the Williamette River just south of Portland, Ore., on Thursday as historic Waverley Country Club served as both a stern test of championship skill and a startling reminder of how the U.S. Senior Women’s Open succeeds on so many levels. Most prominent in the opening round was the competitive intensity as Catriona Matthew and Michelle McGann both shot 3-under-par 69 to lead the field of 120 after 18 holes.

Matthew, who includes the 2009 AIG Women’s Open among her 11 professional victories, gave herself an early birthday present – she turns 54 on Friday – with six birdies and three bogeys over an extremely challenging layout, missing only four greens on the day and turning in a rock-solid 29 putts.

Graphite Design Tour AD DI Swings to Victory at BMW Championship

Pro’s Choice Golf Shafts, Inc. announced today that the winner of the BMW Championship was playing a Graphite Design Tour AD DI 85-X Stiff flex hybrid shaft in his Titleist U505 #3 Utility Iron.  The champion’s stellar 4th round score of 61 set a new course record and resulted in his 5th PGA Tour win.

“Congratulations to the 2023 BMW Champion for setting the course record 61 to win the second event of the 2023 FedEx Cup and move to 2nd in the FedEx Cup standings. With seven birdies on the back nine the champion was #1 in driving accuracy and was able to secure his 2nd win of the 2022-2023 PGA Tour Season”, stated Erik Boysen, Vice President of Tour Promotions, Pro’s Choice Golf Shafts, Inc.

Shot Scope Debuts New and Improved Pro LX+ Laser Rangefinder

Shot Scope (www.shotscope.com), the golf industry-leader in advanced GPS and shot tracking technology, has once again redefined the rangefinder category in golf by introducing the new and improved PRO LX+, the game’s most advanced laser rangefinder featuring the dynamic combination of GPS-powered distances and Artificial Intelligence for personalized performance tracking.

Today, with research showing that modern golfers rely on multiple GPS devices, players of all levels now have one device – PRO LX+ – that provides all of the on-course technology they need in one system.  The new and improved PRO LX+ system includes three innovative devices which are sold as one unit, the PRO LX+, featuring GPS-powered distances and performance tracking, or individually as the PRO LX Rangefinder and H4 Game Tracker. The key new features of the PRO LX+ include a smaller and more compact design with enhanced stabilization, faster target-lock, a built-in extra strong cart magnet to quickly attach to cart, and an anti-slip comfort stability grip.

Forme Launches Interactive Golf Ace + Polo

Forme®, a human performance company that designs patented posture and recovery wearables to correct alignment and related musculoskeletal disorders, is pleased to announce the launch of its groundbreaking product – Ace+ Polo. The Ace+ Polo is Forme®’s latest and most innovative posture correcting polo, and is specifically designed to be worn while playing golf.

Maintaining perfect posture and body connection are paramount biomechanics to achieving peak performance in golf. The Ace+ Polo is intelligently crafted to address spatial, spinal and scapular muscle memory engagement in golf. This helps ensure golfers maintain optimal alignment, stability, and stamina, naturally and sustainably throughout their exhausting travel and golf schedule. The advanced posture correction technology integrated into the polo discreetly supports and trains the golfer’s neck, back and shoulders. This promotes a natural, ideal set up, with less arm and back tension which helps achieve a more consistent, sustainable swing and putting stroke.

USGA Announces Tee Times for 5th U.S. Senior Women's Open

The United States Golf Association (USGA) has announced tee times for the first two rounds of the 5th U.S. Senior Women's Open.

Play begins Thursday (Aug. 24) and Friday (Aug. 25), at 6,104-yard, par-72 Waverley Country Club.

FootJoy Releases New 2023 Limited Edition Ryder Cup Apparel

FootJoy has announced their new 2023 limited edition 2023 Ryder Cup Collection.

Featuring jackets, hoodies, polos, and sweatshirts for men and women.  This limited edition collection will gear you up and get you ready to cheer on the US team in Rome.

Titleist Radar Capture Technology (RCT) makes TOUR debut at East Lake

Titleist’s groundbreaking Radar Capture Technology (RCT) will be on full display today on the range at East Lake Golf Club, as many of the world’s best dial in their swings for the TOUR Championship.

Developed by Titleist Golf Ball R&D engineers, RCT is an embedded radar reflective technology – currently available on Pro V1, Pro V1x, Pro V1x Left Dash and AVX golf balls – that enhances the data capture of launch conditions in an indoor environment, delivering the most accurate information possible.

Three Tour Titles for Players Using Fujikura

Fujikura, the leader in performance golf shafts, was honored to be the #1 driver and wood shaft on the PGA Tour and DP World Tour last week. This included a victory for both tournament winners, who each used all Fujikura driver and wood shafts in their bag on the way to victory.

At the second leg of the FedEx Cup at the BMW Championship, Fujikura was once again the #1 driver and wood shaft for the event. In total, over 42.0% of the field used a Fujikura driver shaft with another 38.1% of the field using a Fujikura wood shaft.

Country Club of Buffalo to Host Two USGA Amateur Championships

The United States Golf Association (USGA) has announced that the Country Club of Buffalo (N.Y.) will be the host site for the 2027 U.S. Women’s Mid-Amateur and the 2032 U.S. Senior Amateur Championships. The club has previously hosted four USGA championships, including the 1912 U.S. Open.

 

“We are thrilled to return to the Country Club of Buffalo to conduct these two national championships,” said Mark Hill, USGA managing director, Championships. “The USGA is excited to restore our relationship with this historic club and its enthusiastic community on such a terrific golf course. We know the club and its membership will provide an exceptional experience for our players as they compete for these coveted titles.”

Bridgestone Golf Introduces New e9 Long Drive Golf Ball in Colors

Bridgestone Golf, the #1 Ball-Fitter in Golf, today announced the new e9 Long Drive ($29.99/dozen) is available in gloss colors, including pink, yellow, and orange. Designed to produce extreme ball speeds, the e9 Long Drive was created with input from World Long Drive (WLD) contestants and is the official ball of WLD.

“The e9 Long Drive was engineered with direct feedback from WLD competitors using key Bridgestone technologies, and until now were only available to consumers in white,” said Elliot Mellow, Golf Ball Marketing Manager, Bridgestone Golf. “With WLD majors in Kingsport, TN, Oceanside, CA, and Atlanta, GA, rapidly approaching, we knew people would see the colored balls on the telecasts and be interested in buying them. Now they can.”

PRG Presents the Official 2023 Ryder Cup Collection

PRG, one of the world’s leading suppliers of innovative, high-quality bespoke golf accessories, is delighted to once again be Official Team Supplier to both the Europe and US Ryder Cup Teams for the 44th Ryder Cup matches to be held at the Marco Simone Golf and Country Club in the last week of September 2023.

PRG has created a series of Official 2023 Team and Ryder Cup collections and these are now available for sale online at rydercup.com, prg-golf.com and approved stockists across the globe.

Plainfield Country Club will Host Three USGA Championships in Next 15 years

The United States Golf Association (USGA) has announced that Plainfield Country Club, in Edison, N.J., will be the host site for three USGA championships: the 2025 U.S. Amateur Four-Ball, the 2031 U.S. Senior Women’s Open and the 2038 U.S. Senior Open. They will be the third, fourth and fifth USGA championships held at the club.

“The USGA is excited to return to Plainfield Country Club after nearly four decades and continue to build upon a partnership that will support both professional and amateur competition,” said Mark Hill, USGA managing director, Championships. “We know that the club’s rich heritage, renowned course and comprehensive facilities will not only challenge the best players from around the world but will also provide a welcoming environment for each of the three championships.”

Tour Edge's Ken Duke Earns 1st Win on PGA Tour Champions Playing Full Bag of Exotics

Tour Edge staff player Ken Duke won the Shaw Charity Classic Sunday after an emotional birdie on the last hole, giving him his first trophy in his 100th career start on the PGA Champions Tour.

Duke outlasted fellow Tour Edge staff player Tim Petrovic, both one-time PGA TOUR winners seeking their first victories on the 50-and-over tour.

5th U.S. Senior Women’s Open Championship – Inside the Field

Waverley Country Club will host the 5th U.S. Senior Women's Open championship next week and will be set up at 6,104 yards and play to a par of 36-36–72.  Like many in the field, including past U.S. Senior Women’s Open champions Laura Davies, Helen Alfredsson, Annika Sorenstam and Jill McGill, Ward and Sorenstam have their names in golf’s record book. Like everyone competing at Waverley C.C., they relish this opportunity to compete at the game’s highest level.

Here's a closer look at the 120 golfers in the 2023 U.S. Senior Women’s Open.

PUMA Golf x Palm Tree Crew Drop New Collection

PUMA Golf and Rickie Fowler have partnered with iconic DJ, KYGO and his lifestyle brand, PALM TREE CREW, to release a fresh drop. Whether your vacation takes you to a course or a beach, show up in style in the all-new PUMA Golf x Palm Tree Crew Collection. Vibrant colors, unique prints and premium fabrics make this collab one-of-a-kind. The print will give you a feeling of summer weather and good vibes. The drop features a fresh color palette dominated by pink, white, and black with pink Flamingos.

“This collection helps continue our mission to bring the worlds of golf and music together. This drop is vibrant and energetic. It brings the feeling of good vibes to life.” said Kygo.

New Titleist T-Series T100, T150, T200, T350 Irons and U505 and T200 Utility Irons (2023) - First Look Titleist Fitting Review

I recently went through a Titleist fitting for the new T-Series irons and utilities.  I hit every iron, the T100, T150, T200, and T350 as well as the U505 and T200 utilities.  And I can sum up the entire fitting by telling you this T-Series is Titleist's GOAT.  No exaggeration.

Something was legitimately improved in every model.  In some ways even significantly improved.  And more than any line in Titleist history all four iron models blend about as perfectly as possible for combo variations.  I'll let you know what my ultimate set wound up being at the end.

Dunlap Makes History With Victory at Cherry Hills

Nick Dunlap joined exclusive company on Sunday at historic Cherry Hills Country Club, as he replicated a feat only accomplished by Tiger Woods. Dunlap, the 2021 U.S. Junior Amateur champion, pulled away from Neal Shipley on the second 18 of the 123rd U.S. Amateur Championship final for a 4-and-3 victory to become just the second player to win both the Junior Amateur and the Amateur. Woods captured each championship three times in a span of six consecutive years (1991-1996).

“Well, I think it’s only a third of what Tiger’s actually done,” said Dunlap, 19, a sophomore at the University of Alabama who is No. 9 in the World Amateur Golf Ranking® (WAGR®). “But just to be in the same conversation as Tiger is a dream come true and something that I’ve worked my entire life for. It’s the hours and hours that nobody sees to try to get to this point and even have a chance to win this trophy. It’s unbelievable; can’t put it into words.”

Dunlap, Shipley to Square Off in Final at Cherry Hills

Since the spring of 2021, Nick Dunlap, 19, of Huntsville, Ala., has amassed a 29-2 record in match-play competition. That includes a 6-0 mark on the way to the 2021 U.S. Junior Amateur title, and five victories this week at Cherry Hills Country Club. On Sunday, Dunlap will seek his 30th and biggest victory in the 36-hole final of the 123rd U.S. Amateur Championship.

Dunlap, the No. 9 player in the World Amateur Golf Ranking® (WAGR®), defeated Parker Bell, 19, of Tallahassee, Fla., 3 and 2, on Saturday to earn a berth opposite Neal Shipley, 22, of Pittsburgh, Pa., who earned a come-from-behind, 2-and-1 win over John Marshall Butler, 21, of Louisville, Ky. Shipley’s dramatic victory was sealed by a third shot on the par-5, island-green 17th hole that stopped inches from the hole for a birdie.