USGA Invests in Record Number of Internships

Recognizing a growing interest in golf-related careers, the USGA is helping funnel emerging talent to a broad range of job opportunities that exist in the game.

In total, the USGA supported 323 interns in 2024 – a number that is nearly equal to that of the USGA’s current full-time workforce – reflecting the organization’s focus on career development to foster a stronger, more welcoming game. As part of that commitment, the USGA directed recruiting efforts toward reaching individuals from a wide range of backgrounds and communities. 

New PXG 0311 P and 0311 XP GEN7 Irons Tech Story and Testing

I told you last week that new PXG GEN7 irons, Black Ops irons, and Sugar Daddy III wedges are coming.  And I'll have a fitting soon and give you all the details on how each of these new clubs perform.

This article however is a deep dive into the new PXG tech and testing of the GEN7 irons (I'll have similar articles for the Black Ops irons and Sugar Daddy III wedges) because these truly might be the most advanced irons PXG has designed to date.  PXG is saying these are the greatest leap forward in irons technology and performance in PXG history.

Women's Olympic Golf Competition Notes

The Paris 2024 Summer Olympics mark the third Games golf has been contested since it was reintroduced in 2016.

Prior to 2016, women’s golf was contested in the Olympics twice in the early 1900s (1900 and 1904).

V1 Sports Launches Brand New V1 COACH App

V1 Sports, the pioneer in swing video analysis solutions for coaches and athletes, has introduced its latest coaching app, V1 COACH.

The brand new iOS and Android app adds new AI features to golf’s leading swing video analysis tools, which are designed to save coaches time and energy in managing their business, allowing them to focus more on developing strong player relationships and delivering world-class instruction.

Hog Heaven in Oklahoma: Arkansas Standout Marin Medalist

Tuesday marked the conclusion of stroke play at the 124th U.S. Women’s Amateur and marked the hottest day of the year in Tulsa, Okla., with temperatures hitting 104 degrees just after 4 p.m. local time. Players not only faced the challenge of a USGA setup on a course known for its difficult test and even tougher greens, but the relentless sun pushed those in the afternoon wave through an intense test of endurance and skill. 

But as the championship enters the 64-player match play portion of the event at Southern Hills Country Club, it’s clear the cream has risen to the top. Twelve of the 13 top 25 players in the World Amateur Golf Ranking/WAGR® who entered the week survived the cut, with the last – Amanda Sambach – currently in the playoff for the remaining spots in match play. The top 10 after stroke play includes two USGA champions in Asterisk Talley and Kiara Romero, an Augusta National Women’s Amateur champion in Anna Davis, the highest ranked player in the field in Zoe Campos and the reigning champion of the Women’s Amateur Championship conducted by The R&A in Melanie Green. 

USGA Opens U.S. National Development Program Grant Application for 2025

The United States Golf Association (USGA) today announced that the U.S. National Development Program (USNDP) Grant Application is now open for 2025. Launched last year, the program aims to mitigate barriers of cost to promising junior golfers who demonstrate both financial need and the potential to progress through the USNDP pathway. 

“The future of competitive American golf not only depends on our ability to identify and nurture our country’s next generation of top talent, but to also invest in those athletes,” said Heather Daly-Donofrio, USGA managing director of player relations and development. “There are countless golfers with the talent and ambition to compete at the highest level but need help bridging the financial gap, and we’re thrilled to offer that support and be a resource for many exceptional young people as they pursue their dreams.

Supreme Golf Partners with Folds Of Honor For Online Round-Up Campaign

Supreme Golf (www.supremegolf.com), a leader in booking online tee times, announced today a partnership with Folds of Honor, a foundation that provides academic scholarships to the spouses and children of fallen or disabled military service members and first responders.

The round-up campaign, which is active now, encourages anyone reserving a tee time online or via its mobile app to round up the cost of the booking. The round up will be processed at checkout. All additional money will provide a donation to Folds of Honor.

Malixi (-4) Continues USGA Heater at U.S. Women's Am in Oklahoma

It comes as no surprise that birdies were hard to find during the first round of the 124th U.S. Women’s Amateur, given Southern Hills Country Club has long been renowned for its demanding test of golf. The last major championship played at the iconic Tulsa, Okla., venue was the 2022 PGA Championship, won by Justin Thomas with a final score of 5-under par. It’s the highest winning score of a PGA Championship over the last 16 years.

In what is the USGA’s tenth trip to Southern Hills, and first since the 2009 U.S. Amateur, Monday’s championship play saw just eight of the 156 players in the field finish the day under par, with an average score of 76.5.

Due to Overwhelming Demand Cobra Releases Second Wave of 3D Printed LIMIT3D Irons

COBRA Golf®, a leader in golf club innovation and 3D printing technology, announced a re-release of the innovative and massively successful LIMIT3D irons, the first commercially available 3D printed irons in golf.

Due to incredibly high demand for this revolutionary iron set, with the first run of 500 limited-edition sets being sold out in a matter of minutes, COBRA will be offering a second release of these irons providing more players the opportunity to play the most advanced irons on the market.

Team USA’s Scottie Scheffler Wins Olympic Gold in Thrilling Finale at Le Golf National

Scottie Scheffler produced a spectacular 9-under 62 at Le Golf National on Sunday, equaling the course record and emerging from a star-studded leaderboard to win gold at the Olympic men’s golf competition. 

On a thrilling final day in the outskirts of Paris, the American was flawless from start to finish, reaching 19-under 265 as he surged to victory, highlighted by an impressive back-nine 29 to underline his status as the world No. 1. 

Final-Round 64 Propels Leta Lindley to ​​​​​​​U.S. Senior Women's Open Title at Fox Chapel

Leta Lindley, who had knocked on the door twice at the U.S. Senior Women’s Open, finally gained entry to the winner’s circle on Sunday with a sizzling final-round, 7-under-par 64 at demanding Fox Chapel Golf Club to win the championship by two strokes over Kaori Yamamoto. Lindley’s 72-hole winning score was 9-under-par 275.

Beginning the final round five strokes behind Yamamoto, who led after each previous round, Lindley made birdies on five of the first eight holes to pull two strokes ahead. By the time play entered the treacherous back nine, Lindley was at 7 under par and Yamamoto at 6 under with no one else closer than five strokes, essentially becaming a two-woman race down the stretch.

Kaori Yamamoto Chased by Experienced Players Heading into U.S. Senior Women's Open's Final Round

Among the things in plenty of supply at the 6th U.S. Senior Women’s Open – along with talent – is experience. These women have seen it all, and that knowledge was helpful on Saturday when dangerous weather at Fox Chapel Golf Club halted third round play for three hours. When play resumed, Kaori Yamamoto ran into some choppy water but ended 54 holes at 7-under-par 206, five strokes ahead of a ton of experience.

Yamamoto, who has played the Japan LPGA and Japan Legends Tour combined for three decades, relied on her experience to hold off a pair of World Golf Hall of Fame members: Annika Sorenstam, a four-time USGA champion, and Juli Inkster who has five USGA trophies at home, plus Leta Lindley, who has been runner-up in the last two U.S. Senior Women’s Opens and Mikino Kubo. They are all five back at 211.

Schauffele in Position to Land Back to Back Gold, Shares Lead with Rahm

Xander Schauffele holds a share of the lead alongside Spain’s Jon Rahm ahead of the final round of the Olympic men’s golf competition as he looks to win back-to-back gold medals.

The American arrived at his second appearance at the Games on the back of winning The Open Championship two weeks ago and has continued his excellent form at Le Golf National.

Kaori Yamamoto Sets 36-Hole Scoring Record at Weather-Delayed U.S. Senior Women's Open

Part of the test of championship golf is the ability to adapt to whatever life throws at you, whether it’s a bad lie, bad bounce or, in the case of Friday’s second round of the 6th U.S. Senior Women’s Open, bad weather. With tee times at Fox Chapel Golf Club delayed more than three hours by nature, it’s somehow fitting that Kaori Yamamoto, whose circuitous path to this championship included caddying in it last year and going through a qualifier this year, has the lead going into the weekend.

With most of Friday's afternoon wave needing to finish their second round Saturday morning, Yamamoto is at 8-under-par par 134, breaking the 36-hole scoring record for the championship by two strokes. Of those who finished on Friday, the closest chasers are five-time USGA champion Juli Inkster, four-time USGA champion Annika Sorenstam and Leta Lindley at 2-under-par 140, six strokes behind Yamamoto.

USGA Announces Tee Times for 124th U.S. Women’s Amateur Championship

The United States Golf Association (USGA) today announced tee times for the first two rounds of the 124th U.S. Women's Amateur Championship, on Monday (Aug. 5) and Tuesday (Aug. 6), at 6,437-yard, par-71 Southern Hills Country Club in Tulsa, Okla.

 

The U.S. Women’s Amateur consists of 36 holes of stroke play on Aug. 5 and 6, after which the 156-player field will be reduced to the low 64 scorers. There will be six rounds of match play, starting Aug. 7. The championship is scheduled to conclude with a 36-hole final on Sunday, Aug. 11, beginning at 8 a.m. CDT.

Kaori Yamamoto Sizzles to First Round Lead at 6th U.S. Senior Women’s Open

The hot, humid air clung to the hills hovering over the Allegheny River and turned an already challenging Fox Chapel Golf Club in Pittsburgh into an even hotter pressure cooker in Thursday’s first round of the 6th U.S. Senior Women’s Open. As late-day shadows crept across the course, Kaori Yamamoto, who played in the heat of the afternoon, was in at 4-under-par 67, one stroke better than Christa Johnson and Lisa Grimes, who went out in the relative cool of the morning.

At 69 is two-time runner-up Leta Lindley with Mikino Kubo and Corina Kelepouris, who made an eagle on the par-4 fifth hole, at 70. Alicia Dibos, Catrin Nilsmark, amateur Kristine Franklin and Annika Sorenstam are at even-par 71.

Titleist Launches New GT Fairway Metals

The new Titleist GT2 and GT3 fairway metals build upon the engineering breakthroughs that created the GT driver line, delivering exceptional performance from material and construction advancements. GT fairways offer fast speeds, higher flight, optimal spin and longer carry in two unique models. The line provides total performance both off the tee and into the green.

“A line of high-performing fairway metals needs to excel in a number of different ways,” said Stephanie Luttrell, Director, Titleist Metalwood Product Development. “For most golfers, fairway metals need to be highly versatile. They need to be fast and long off the tee, and they need to fly high and hold greens. Playability and forgiveness are hugely important as well. The changes we made to GT fairways help deliver across all these performance attributes.”

Titleist Introduces All-New GT Driver Line

Titleist, the most played driver on the PGA TOUR for five years and counting, introduces three all-new GT driver models, the most advanced and best-performing drivers to ever bear the Titleist script. GT2, GT3 and GT4 drivers are engineered to deliver total driver performance without sacrifice. In addition to exceptional looks, feel and sound, the new line is faster, longer, straighter and more forgiving across the face than any Titleist driver to precede it.

 

“The GT line represents a monumental leap forward for Titleist driver design and engineering,” said Stephanie Luttrell, Director, Titleist Metalwood Product Development. “The breakthroughs we made in material, construction, shaping and design weren’t possible in prior generations. All the advancements found in GT are working in concert to create the highest-performing driver we have ever made.”

Adidas x BOA Team Up on the New CODECHAOS 25

As part of the disruptive, high-performance, spikeless footwear franchise, adidas launches CODECHAOS 25 BOA. The CODECHAOS 25 BOA expertly utilizes the BOA Fit System to deliver a micro-adjustable, precision fit engineered to perform in all conditions.

With the BOA Fit System activating a shrouded, wrapped upper configuration, the CODECHAOS 25 BOA delivers golfers the added benefit of improved power and precision. The CODECHAOS 25 also features a redesigned outsole highlighted by a new 3D TORSION plate to enhance the feel of stability and support.

124th U.S. Women’s Amateur Championship – Inside the Field

The 124th U.S. Women's Amateur Championship kicks off next week.

Here's a breakdown of the 155 golfers competing at Southern Hills Country Club.  One spot is currently being held for the winner of the 2024 Canadian Women’s Amateur, which concludes on Aug. 2.