Category: News

Hideki Matsuyama came within one swing of winning the WM Phoenix Open, but over four days at TPC Scottsdale, one number told the story of why it slipped away.

That number was driving accuracy percentage.

Matsuyama finished the week hitting just 44.64 percent of fairways, tied for 68th in the field — a sharp drop from his 58.50 percent mark for the 2025 season. The PGA TOUR average for driving accuracy is roughly 60 percent, where it has hovered consistently for the past decade.

At TPC Scottsdale, however, that part of his game never quite found its rhythm.

The missed fairways did not immediately cost him. In fact, Matsuyama landed himself atop the leaderboard despite missing over half of the fairways off the tee. By Saturday evening he held the 54-hole lead, a situation he had converted into victory every previous time in his PGA TOUR career. It was familiar territory at a familiar venue: Matsuyama is a two-time winner of the WM Phoenix Open and has long been one of the most reliable performers at TPC Scottsdale.

What allowed him to survive the week was his approach and short game. Matsuyama ranked second in strokes gained approach to green and around the green, third in strokes gained putting, and tied for first in strokes gained total. His iron play and short game repeatedly erased the consequences of missed fairways, allowing him to maintain control, even as his driver remained uncooperative.

Over the course of the tournament, Matsuyama lost 4.809 strokes to the field off the tee, an unusually large number for a player otherwise performing extraordinarily well. By late Sunday, the margin for error had narrowed considerably while his driving accuracy dipped further, hitting just three fairways (21.43 percent) in the final round.

On the 72nd hole, Matsuyama missed the fairway once more, leading to a bogey that dropped him into a playoff rather than sealing a regulation win. Another errant drive found the water off the tee on the first playoff hole against Chris Gotterup which effectively ended his chances of claiming a third WM Phoenix Open title.

It would be overly simplistic to pin the loss on either of those swings on the 18th tee alone. Any number of shots earlier in the week could have changed the outcome entirely. Still, those final two drives stand out because they were the most visceral moments of the tournament, moments which emphasized the problem Matsuyama had been battling all week: a driver that refused to cooperate at the most exacting moments.

Complicating matters, Matsuyama faced audible crowd distractions during his putt on the 72nd hole to win the tournament and again on the tee during the playoff, forcing him to stop mid-swing. While Matsuyama is one of the most seasoned and accomplished players in the game—a Masters champion, 11-time PGA TOUR winner, and Olympic medalist—regaining full commitment after a disruption is never trivial, particularly during a round in which confidence with the driver is already fragile.

On a course that rewards aggressive play but punishes imprecision Matsuyama compensated missed fairways well with superb iron play and short game. In the end it was perhaps one missed fairway too many to bring home the win.

Last updated: April 25, 2026

Latest Update: Drop 1 Ticket Sales Have Concluded—Registration For Drop 2 Is Now Open

Registration is now open for Drop 2. If you registered for the LA and OK Locals Presale or Drop 1, you are automatically registered for Drop 2 and there is nothing more you need to do at this time.

If you haven’t registered for a previous drop yet, you’ll want to register for Drop 2 by July 22nd to have a chance to purchase tickets for Olympic Golf at Riviera.

After registration for Drop 2 closes, applicants will be notified if they’ve been randomly selected for a time slot to purchase tickets. The ticket limit is 12 tickets per person across all drops, so if you purchased some tickets in the locals presale or Drop 1, but haven’t hit your 12 ticket limit, you can purchase more tickets in Drop 2 if selected, up to your 12 ticket limit.

LA28 has confirmed inventory has been refreshed for Drop 2, so while the men’s golf events sold out quickly during the locals presale, there should be additional tickets available during Drop 2, but expect them to sell out quickly again. It is unknown if pricing will remain the same for Drop 2, but pricing from the locals presale is listed below.

Key Dates and What Happens Next:

Now – July 22 – Registration period for Drop 2

TBD August – Notifications of purchasing time slots sent out to those successful in the draw

TBD August – Drop 2 tickets on sale

Update 2: April 8, 2026

LA and OK Locals Presale Has Concluded

The LA and Oklahoma City presale ticket sales have now closed. I was selected for the locals presale with a ticket window open for 48 hours starting Sunday, April 5th.

How Much Are Olympic Golf Tickets?

As of Sunday, April 5th, all men’s Olympic golf tickets that were allotted to the locals presale were sold out.

Here are the ticket prices from the presale:

Men’s Individual Stroke Play Round 1
Wednesday, 07.19.2028
Category A – $28 – SOLD OUT

Men’s Individual Stroke Play Round 2
Wednesday, 07.20.2028
Category A – $43.41 – SOLD OUT

Men’s Individual Stroke Play Round 3
Wednesday, 07.21.2028
Category A – $104.19 – SOLD OUT

Men’s Individual Stroke Finals
Wednesday, 07.22.2028
Category A – $427.90 – SOLD OUT
Category B – $235.66 – SOLD OUT

Tickets were available during the presale for the women’s golf events. These were the ticket prices as of Sunday, April 5th:

Women’s Individual Stroke Play Round 1
Wednesday, 07.26.2028
Category A – $28

Women’s Individual Stroke Play Round 2
Wednesday, 07.27.2028
Category A – $28

Women’s Individual Stroke Play Round 3
Wednesday, 07.28.2028
Category A – $43.41

Women’s Individual Stroke Play Finals
Wednesday, 07.29.2028
Category B – $161.24

It is unknown how many tickets were made available for each golf event during the locals presale. According to the LA28 website, “any events that show as “Unavailable” are sold out for this particular drop but more may be released in future ticket drops.”

It is also unknown if prices will increase with subsequent drops. According to LA28, the dynamic pricing has not yet gone into effect so the ticket prices during the locals presale are not guaranteed to be the same prices during subsequent drops.

The next ticket drop is the General Public Drop 1 which runs between April 9–19.

Update 1: March 21, 2026

Update 1: First Ticket Draw Has Closed

Registration for the first LA28 Olympic ticket draw has now closed. Applicants who entered before March 18 received confirmation have received email confirmations outlining the next steps.

Key Dates and What Happens Next:

• March 31–April 4 — Selected applicants will receive an email with a designated ticket purchase time slot for the LA Locals Presale
• April 2–6 — LA and Oklahoma City presale ticket window
• April 7 — Email notifications sent for Drop 1 time slots
• April 9–19 — Drop 1 general public ticket sales window

Applicants not selected for a presale time slot will remain automatically entered into future ticket draws, including Drop 1. No additional registration is required.

If you did not register for the first draw, you will need to wait until the next ticket registration window opens.

Last updated: February 2026

The Winter Olympics are officially underway in Milan Cortina. As John Williams’ “Olympic Fanfare and Theme” rings out across homes around the world, the PGA TOUR season is in motion on the other side of the globe with the West Coast Swing unfolding across California’s most storied venues.

From Justin Rose’s record-setting performance at Torrey Pines through the desert in Arizona and on to Pebble Beach, the PGA TOUR’s early-season arc concludes at Riviera Country Club for the Genesis Invitational. It’s a fitting convergence that the 2026 Winter Olympics conclude on February 22 — the same day as the final round at Riviera, the iconic George C. Thomas masterpiece that will also serve as the stage for Olympic golf when the Summer Games come to Los Angeles in 2028.

Though LA28 is still two years away, the path to being there has already begun. The registration window for 2028 Olympic tickets is now open, and for fans hoping to experience the thrill of Olympic golf in person, this marks the first opportunity to be randomly selected for the chance to purchase tickets.

Here’s what you need to know and how to register for the initial ticket draw for Olympic golf at the LA28 Games.

How Do You Register for Olympic Golf Tickets at LA28?

The first step is to register for Drop 1 of the ticket draw. Registration is now open for Drop 1 and the LA Locals Presale. The deadline to register for Drop 1 is March 18th. After registration closes, you will be notified via email with a time window you will be able to purchase tickets if you were selected in the draw. Drop 1 tickets go on sale between April 9– 19.

Who Is Eligible for the LA and Oklahoma City Olympic Golf Presale?

Local residents of Greater Los Angeles and Oklahoma City have an opportunity to purchase tickets before they go on sale to the general public. Oklahoma City is included due to its role as a co-host city for select LA28 events, extending local presale access beyond Southern California.

To qualify, fans must enter a postal code during registration from an eligible county in Los Angeles (Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, or Ventura) or Oklahoma (Oklahoma, Canadian, or Cleveland). Local residents are not guaranteed early tickets, and those not selected for the locals presale are automatically entered into the general public draw for Drop 1. 

Ticket prices for locals start at just $28. The locals presale runs from April 2-6th.

How Many Tickets Can You Buy for Olympic Golf at LA28?

Fans can purchase up to 12 tickets in total. Purchases can be made over multiple drops if selected multiple times, up until the 12 ticket limit has been reached.

What Golf Events Will Be Held at the LA28 Olympics?

There are three golf events during the LA28 Olympics: Men’s Individual Stroke Play, Women’s Individual Stroke Play and a Mixed Team event. Tickets for these events will be on sale if selected for either the Locals Presale or Drop 1.

Where Will Olympic Golf Be Played During the LA28 Games?

Olympic golf at the LA28 Games will be played at Riviera Country Club, the historic George C. Thomas–designed course in Los Angeles.

For the first time in 80 years, no new permanent venues are being built for the Summer Olympics. Instead, Games organizers are leveraging existing world-class sites across Greater Los Angeles, organized into geographic “zones.” Riviera Country Club will serve as the sole venue within the Riviera Zone, hosting all Olympic golf competition in 2028.

What Are the Key Dates for Buying LA28 Olympic Golf Tickets?

Now – March 18 – Registration period

March 31–April 7 – Notifications of purchasing time slots sent out to those successful in the draw

April 2-6 – LA and Oklahoma City presale window

April 9– 19 – General public Drop 1 ticket sale window

Registering early gives you the best chance at securing tickets to Olympic golf or any of the other Games as registering for Drop 1 automatically enters you for subsequent drops, giving you more opportunities to be selected.

This article will be updated as additional LA28 ticketing details are released.

Last updated: February 2026

Scandinavian lifestyle and golf apparel brand J.LINDEBERG has launched a third collaboration with iconic headwear maker New Era, expanding a line of premium caps designed for both sport and lifestyle enthusiasts, as well as collectors.

The collection, which debuted January 26 and will be available online and at select stores, reimagines New Era’s classic silhouettes with J.LINDEBERG’s performance-meets-style sensibility. Highlights include the JL Golfer Rope 19TWENTY, a vintage-inspired golf cap; the bold color-blocked JL Two Tone Flag 9FIFTY; the textured JL Bridge Cord 9FORTY; the performance-oriented JL Bridge Stretch 39THIRTY; and the lightweight JL Tech 9TWENTY.

The limited-edition J.LINDEBERG x New Era caps are now available in the U.S. via J.LINDEBERG’s online store, with pricing in the $45–$55 range, alongside select international markets.

Brands like J.LINDEBERG have been successful at the intersection of performance and fashion, a focus reflected in the company’s roster of professional ambassadors. The brand’s tour lineup includes players such as Viktor Hovland, Matt Wallace, and Camilo Villegas, who wear J.LINDEBERG and help carry its aesthetic from course to culture.

The new collection also taps into the broader growth of the global collectibles market, which industry research estimates could reach more than $535 billion by 2033 as demand rises for bespoke products that blend nostalgia, style, and scarcity.

That trend has translated into fashion, where limited drops and collaborations are increasingly valued by sports and fashion enthusiasts as well as collector audiences. By positioning this partnership as a nod to collectors, J.LINDEBERG and New Era are aiming to bridge golf culture, lifestyle fashion, and the broader creative economy.

The collection’s range of silhouettes and premium finishes underscores J.LINDEBERG’s commitment to craftsmanship, innovation, and relevance both on the course and in everyday wear.

Justin Rose has won the 2026 Farmers Insurance Open in historic fashion, going wire-to-wire to win by seven strokes under sunny skies at Torrey Pines.

Rose started the week with a blistering first-round 62 on the North Course. He continued to run away with the tournament from there, expanding his lead after every round and setting multiple records along the way.

Rose broke the 36-hole scoring record (-17), the 54-hole scoring record (-21), and as the final putt fell on the 18th hole on Sunday, the 72-hole scoring record (-23), beating the previously held record of -22 under set by George Burns in 1987 and tied by Tiger Woods in 1999. It was a record Rose was keenly aware of as he made his way around the South course on Sunday, grinding it out through the final holes with a birdie on the 72nd hole.

“23 under— I kind of knew was a tournament record. The whole week has been a record setting week and I was aware of that just for my own personal pride. Sorry, T-Dubs, if you are watching,” Rose said, referring to Tiger Woods during his post-round interview on Sunday.

In winning this week, he became the oldest player ever to win at Torrey Pines. It was also the first wire-to-wire win at the event with no co-leads, meaning he held the solo lead after every round, since Tommy Bolt in 1955.

It was, in Rose’s own words, a “clinic from tee to green”—a systematic dismantling of the historically punishing 7,765 yard South Course at Torrey Pines, which, under the benign wind and perfect weather conditions, was ripe for the taking.

And Rose was in a taking mood.

Rose’s record setting performance comes with a resume of stats which explain exactly how he was able to lap the field. He hit 59 of 72 greens in regulation thanks to his extraordinary ball striking, an astounding 81.94%—number one in the field. Over 54 holes on the South Course, he hit 17 approach shots within 15 feet. He was number one in putts per green in regulation (1.59) and number two in approach to green, gaining a whopping 7.257 strokes on the field.

And, he was bogey-free on the front nine on the South Course all week.

Put simply—Justin Rose played one tournament, and the other 146 players in the field played another. It was a masterclass in course management, ball-striking, and the power of routine. No matter how big Rose’s lead got throughout the weekend, his routines never wavered, both on and off the course.

“I felt like the environment was the same for me the whole week and I got into such good routines this week away from the golf course, did the same thing every evening, every morning. So from that point of view I got into my rhythm.”

The win was made even more special with Rose’s longtime caddie, Mark Fulcher, back on the bag. During his post-round interview Sunday, Rose dedicated the victory to “Fooch,” who was in the hospital recovering from heart surgery during Rose’s 2019 win at Torrey Pines. The pair shared a touching moment walking up the 18th hole, bringing the journey full circle as Fulcher got to enjoy a Torrey Pines victory of his own.

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Like a fine wine, Rose continues to get better with age. At 45, he’s already accomplished what few have in the sport—he’s a major champion, a former world No. 1, a FedEx Cup champion, a seven-time Ryder Cup competitor who helped Europe to victory five times, and an Olympic gold medalist at golf’s return to the Games at the 2016 Rio Olympics.

With his runaway win this week at Torrey Pines, Rose is now a 13-time PGA TOUR champion. Never one to rest on past achievements, he looked ahead optimistically when asked whether his best golf might still be to come.

“Yeah, why not?” Rose said. “Why not. I’m hitting the ball further. My short game still could improve. Putting is good at times, great at times, and I’m very comfortable with my long game — so why not?”

Blades Brown’s strong performance at The American Express has been backed by both elite ball-striking and a disciplined approach to his practice—one that includes a putting drill famously used by Tiger Woods.

In a video shared by the PGA TOUR, Brown, 18, explained that a putting gate drill is a regular part of his tournament preparation. The drill, which is done by placing two tees just outside the heel and toe of the putter head, is designed to promote a square face through impact and reinforce a consistent strike on the center of the face.

To better feel the putter rotate through impact, the drill is done one-handed with just the right hand. Woods has long used the drill throughout his career, and it remains a popular routine among players focused on face control and stroke stability. Ben Griffin used this same drill during the Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black, adding his own twist by putting one-handed with his left hand as well.

“I know this is the smallest stroke that we make in golf, but you definitely want to hit it in the center. I’ve added this to my warmup and I do this every time before I play. Whenever I’m practicing at home I will make about 25-30 of these, just with my right hand. In order to complete this drill back at home, I have to have five perfect strokes. So I cannot hit the tees one time. Until I do that, I cannot complete this drill.”

-Blades Brown

How much room should you place between the tees and the heel and toe of the putter?

Practically none.

Blades demonstrates that the tees are basically resting against the putter so there is zero wiggle room. While this will result in you hitting the tees some of the time, it will calibrate you to what a perfect strike on the center of the putter face feels like because you have to have a perfect stroke in order to return the putter back to the ball at impact and not hit either tee.

Brown, who turned pro in 2024, has been one of the most consistent players statistically in the field this week at PGA West. He ranks tied for first in Greens in Regulation at 88.89 percent, giving himself a steady stream of birdie opportunities across the American Express’ three-course rotation. On the greens, he has capitalized efficiently, sitting eighth in Strokes Gained Putting through Round 3.

His third round performance on the greens stood out in particular, as Brown made an astounding 128 feet of putts, including a 25 footer on the 17th hole and 43 footer on the 18th hole to finish 4-under 68.

In just his tenth PGA TOUR start, Brown enters the final round of The American Express tied for second place alongside world number one, Scottie Scheffler, as the young phenom seeks his first career win on the PGA TOUR.

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L.A.B. Golf has introduced the DF3i, a new iteration on its best-selling DF3 putter that adds a stainless steel insert to the face. The release marks the first modification to the DF3 since its launch in January 2024 and reflects a growing demand from golfers who prefer a more solid feel at impact.

The stainless steel insert technology is not entirely new for L.A.B. Golf. The medium fly-milled stainless steel insert first debuted in late 2024 with the OZ.1i and was later expanded to the heel-shafted OZ.1i HS. With the DF3i, that same insert makes its way into L.A.B.’s most popular head shape, producing a firmer feel and approximately two percent faster ball speed compared to the standard aluminum face.

The DF3 was designed as a “less weird” looking evolution of L.A.B.’s original DF 2.1 mallet, offering lie angle balance technology in a more compact shape that appealed to a broader audience. That combination along with its stability and forgiveness across the face proved wildly successful, quickly turning the DF3 into the brand’s top-selling model.

To make the DF3 lie angle balanced with a stainless steel insert that is heavier than the lightweight CNC-milled 6061 aluminum body, the head had to be reengineered. L.A.B. engineers took inspiration from how the insert was engineered into the OZ.1i.

“Trying to go back and add an insert to a head that was not designed for it can present its own challenges,” explained Ryan Dearman, Senior Mechanical Engineer at L.A.B. Golf. One of the biggest hurdles was insert thickness. “If we had gone with the same thickness [as the OZ.1i], it would have added far too much weight too far forward on the face. We had to determine how much weight we could remove without sacrificing performance or sound.”

To solve this, engineers cut a pocket into the DF3 face, allowing weight to be redistributed rearward and the head to remain properly balanced with a thinner stainless steel insert. The result is a lie angle balanced DF3 that delivers the faster ball speeds golfers have come to expect from the OZ.1i and OZ.1i HS.

Those faster ball speeds aren’t just about feel. In L.A.B.’s testing, the stainless steel insert produced approximately two percent faster ball speeds, which can make a meaningful difference on lag putts or quick downhill putts where a smaller stroke achieves the same distance.

Ultimately, it comes down to feel. Golfers who prefer a softer, more buttery feel may still gravitate toward the DF3. For players who want a firmer, more responsive pop off the face, the DF3i is a compelling addition to the lineup.

The DF3i is available as a custom order starting at $599, $40 more than the standard DF3.

To celebrate the release, L.A.B. also dropped a limited collection featuring a DF3i hat, DF3i ball marker and DF3i towel, available only until January 26, 2026.

As the 2026 American Express gets underway, one of its recent champions will be sporting a new look. Sepp Straka, the 2025 winner at PGA West, has announced a new apparel partnership with premium golf lifestyle brand Fairway & Greene ahead of this week’s tournament.

The partnership pairs a heritage golf brand with one of the PGA TOUR’s most consistent international performers. Straka, who was born in Austria, has carved out a historic career path, becoming the first Austrian-born player to earn a PGA TOUR card and the first to claim a TOUR victory. He has since added four PGA TOUR wins and competed on the world stage at the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo.

Straka also represented Team Europe at the 2025 Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black, where he secured a point in four-ball alongside Jon Rahm, helping Europe retain the Ryder Cup.

Currently ranked 12th in the Official World Golf Ranking, Straka enters the American Express as both a proven winner at the venue and a steady presence near the top of the FedEx Cup standings. Known for his calm demeanor and precision ball-striking, Straka has quietly established himself as one of the game’s most reliable competitors.

Fairway & Greene Chairman and CEO Chad Delp cited Straka’s international background and professional character release as key reasons for the partnership, noting that his journey aligns closely with the brand’s values of authenticity and tradition. For Straka, the decision came down to comfort and classic style.

“I love the classic look of Fairway & Greene,” Straka said in a press release announcing the partnership. “It’s a traditional golf brand with a very classic style, and that’s what I love the most about it. It fits and feels great as well, which made this an easy decision for me.”

Straka will wear Fairway & Greene apparel at select PGA TOUR events and take part in brand storytelling initiatives as the partnership unfolds throughout the season.

Check out Straka’s favorite pieces from Fairway & Greene here.

What was the last shot you remember Cam Smith hitting? 

Did you watch Cam Smith hit a golf shot on TV in the year 2025? 

2024? 

How many LIV teams can you name? Crushers? Rangegoats, maybe? Can you name five LIV teams off the top of your head? Do you know how many LIV golf teams there are in total?

Do you follow the Lock Zone, Open Zone and Drop Zone numbers with great interest, wondering which LIV players will be guaranteed a contract for the following LIV season, and who is vulnerable to relegation?

Have you gone to the LIV online shop to secure your Legion XIII Two Tone Hat?

Would you recognize the Ripper CG team logo if you saw it in a lineup? Could you draw it from memory?

(I’ve now named four LIV teams. Can you name a fifth?)

Do you know which team won the LIV Golf Team Championship last year?

Do you care?

Chances are you don’t. And you’re not alone.

Chances are you’ve seen Bryson DeChambeau hit more shots on YouTube than you have during a LIV tournament broadcast.

Prior to the Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black, your last memory of Jon Rahm was more likely his Masters win in 2023 than his back-to-back individual champion titles at LIV for the 2024 and 2025 seasons.

It’s possible the last shot you remember Cam Smith hitting was his masterful putt around the Road Hole bunker on the 17th hole at the Old Course at St. Andrews en route to his first major win at the 150th Open Championship in 2022, before he surprisingly announced he would be joining LIV Golf in August of that year.

Four years and some change after LIV officially launched in October 2021, taking some of the world’s best talent with it, and the startup league has yet to capture meaningful mainstream broadcast traction.

Yesterday Brian Rolapp and the PGA Tour announced a pathway for five-time major winner and former LIV Smash GC team captain, Brooks Koepka, to rejoin the PGA Tour in 2026.

Under the PGA Tour’s Returning Member Program, Koepka is required to make a one-time $5 million charitable donation as part of his reinstatement. He is also ineligible to receive FedExCup Bonus Program payments for the 2026 season and will forfeit eligibility to earn equity in the PGA Tour’s Player Equity Program for the next five years (2026–2030).

In total, the Tour estimates that this five-year equity forfeiture could cost Koepka approximately $50 million to $85 million in potential earnings, depending on his performance during the season.

The Tour has made the same pathway available to Cam Smith, Bryson DeChambeau and Jon Rahm, with an expiration date to make their decision by February 2, 2026.

The math is stark: despite a potential $50–85 million opportunity cost, players like Rahm—who has already earned tens of millions since joining LIV—would still be positioned to generate significant future income on the PGA TOUR through results and sponsorship value.

For fans of golf, perhaps most importantly, it would put the beloved trio back into more recent memory, in tournaments that have a lot more eyeballs watching.