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PGA Tour Rookie Jordan Smith Takes Colonial Lead With Familiar Formula

PGA Tour rookie Jordan Smith has seized the outright lead at the Charles Schwab Challenge after firing a second straight 5-under 65 at Colonial Country Club to reach 10-under 130. The 33-year-old Englishman, who earned his card via the DP World Tour pathway, has relied on a familiar fairways-and-greens formula with precise iron play and clutch putting, including a 31-foot birdie on the 16th and a 40-footer earlier. This marks his first 36-hole lead on Tour, thrilling fans as he heads into the weekend with a one-shot advantage over a stacked group including Hideki Matsuyama, Brian Harman and others. Smith’s steady approach suits the demanding yet scorable layout perfectly, positioning the debutant for a potential breakthrough victory in Fort Worth as he embraces the new experience of leading.

Laetitia Beck And Nicole Broch Estrup Give ShopRite LPGA A Human Opening Act

Laetitia Beck fired a career-low 8-under 63 to grab the first-round lead at the ShopRite LPGA Classic, while Nicole Broch Estrup delivered an inspiring performance just one shot back with a 7-under 64 in her return to competition after maternity leave. The Danish golfer, playing her first LPGA event in 15 months, brought her young son Max to the course, adding a touching human element that resonated deeply with fans and fellow players at Seaview Golf Club. Beck's bogey-free round capped by a clutch birdie on the final hole showcased her precision and confidence, while Broch Estrup's emotional comeback highlighted resilience and motherhood in professional sports. Their strong opening acts have set an uplifting tone for the tournament, blending elite golf with heartfelt stories that celebrate life beyond the ropes and drawing widespread praise from the LPGA community.

2026 U.S. Open odds, picks, date: Surprising predictions by golf model that's nailed 17 majors

In a major preview generating huge buzz, a proven golf prediction model that's correctly nailed 17 majors is delivering surprising 2026 U.S. Open picks after simulating the event 10,000 times. Set for June 18-21 at iconic Shinnecock Hills Golf Club in Southampton, New York, Scottie Scheffler opens as the clear favorite around +490, followed by Rory McIlroy at +900, with the model highlighting value in several mid-tier contenders and longshots who could thrive on the demanding layout that rewards precision and resilience. The computer simulation points to potential shocks, projecting strong performances from players flying under the radar while cautioning on some big names. As golf's third major approaches, these data-driven insights are helping bettors and fans identify hidden edges at one of the toughest tests in the game.

Hideki Matsuyama in the hunt with low scores flying at Colonial

Hideki Matsuyama is firmly in the hunt at the Charles Schwab Challenge after posting a stellar 5-under 65 in the second round at Colonial Country Club, moving into a tie for second place at 9-under overall. The 2021 Masters champion has showcased precise iron play and sharp putting amid a flurry of low scores flying around the historic venue, where the projected cut dropped to a rare 3-under, the lowest in decades. With several players breaking 65 and the leaderboard tightly bunched, Matsuyama's consistency positions him perfectly for a strong weekend push toward his 12th PGA Tour title. Conditions at the renovated Colonial have favored accurate ball-strikers, allowing the Japanese star to capitalize on birdie opportunities across both rounds. As the $9.9 million event heads into moving day, fans are buzzing about Matsuyama's chances to claim victory in Fort Worth and boost his FedExCup standing. His poised performance continues to highlight why he remains one of golf's elite competitors.

PGA Tour Caddie Fired After 2-Stroke Penalty Finds New Job Within Days

PGA Tour Caddie Fired After 2-Stroke Penalty Finds New Job Within Days In a swift turnaround on the PGA Tour, veteran caddie Austin Gaugert has already secured new employment with rising star Dylan Wu just days after being dismissed by Garrick Higgo. The incident occurred at the PGA Championship when Higgo arrived one minute late to his opening-round tee time, resulting in a costly two-stroke penalty that contributed to missing the cut by a single shot. Higgo parted ways with Gaugert shortly afterward, but the experienced looper showed remarkable resilience by landing the new bag at the Charles Schwab Challenge this week. Fans and fellow professionals have praised Gaugert's professionalism throughout the controversy, noting that while players bear ultimate responsibility for tee times, the partnership unfortunately ended. This rapid rebound highlights the demand for skilled caddies on Tour and allows Gaugert to continue his career without missing significant events.

Golf Fans All Say the Same Thing After PGA Tour Pro Hits Flagstick at $9.9M Event: ‘Just Cruel’

In a heartbreaking moment at the $9.9 million Charles Schwab Challenge, veteran PGA Tour pro Gary Woodland saw his strong approach shot on the 15th hole strike the flagstick perfectly only for the ball to ricochet cruelly and roll back over 30 feet off the green. What could have been an eagle or easy birdie turned into a par after the painful bounce, drawing immediate sympathy from broadcasters and fans who labeled golf's physics "just cruel." The incident sparked widespread reactions on social media with many calling it one of the toughest breaks in recent memory, especially as Woodland, fresh off his Houston Open win and a remarkable health comeback, sits just two strokes off the lead. Golf enthusiasts flooded comments praising his shot quality while lamenting the flagstick's role in denying a potential co-leadership, reigniting debates on pin placement and luck in elite competition at Colonial Country Club.

‘Dumbest Concept’: Fans Rally Behind Justin Thomas as He Rejects Golf’s ‘Unwritten Rule’

In a refreshing stand that's winning hearts across the golf community, Justin Thomas has firmly rejected an alleged 'unwritten rule' suggesting PGA Tour pros should avoid breaking course records by walking off mid-round. When a fan highlighted the bizarre etiquette where players supposedly tank shots or quit to preserve a venue's historic mark, Thomas replied bluntly on social media: “Never heard of that one... promise you won't find me tanking it anywhere.” Fans quickly rallied behind the two-time major champion, with many labeling the concept the “dumbest” in sports and praising JT for prioritizing competition and excellence over outdated traditions. The debate erupted after a story about a pro leaving the course while in contention for a record, sparking widespread discussion on social platforms about authenticity in modern golf. Thomas's no-nonsense response has been hailed as a breath of fresh air amid ongoing talks about the game's evolving culture.

Injury Scare Forces PGA Tour Pro to Withdraw Mid-Round at $9.9M Event

Injury Scare Forces PGA Tour Pro to Withdraw Mid-Round at $9.9M Event In a disappointing turn at the prestigious Charles Schwab Challenge, German PGA Tour pro Stephan Jaeger was forced to withdraw midway through his second round due to a back injury scare at Colonial Country Club. After opening with a 5-over 75 on Thursday, Jaeger played the front nine on Friday at 2-over before the pain became too much, prompting his exit as the projected cut line hovered at 2-under. The $9.9 million event, celebrating its historic venue, has already faced several high-profile absences, adding to the challenges this week. Jaeger, who entered with strong momentum including a 9th at the CJ Cup Byron Nelson and 18th at the PGA Championship, had been eyeing a potential breakthrough win following his 2024 Houston Open victory. This marks another setback in his injury history, though fans hope rest and rehab will see the consistent ball-striker return soon amid golf's common back issues.

‘He’s Not Even Close’: Brandel Chamblee Drops Blunt Verdict on Rory McIlroy vs Scottie Scheffler Debate

In a fiery take that's igniting the golf world, Golf Channel analyst Brandel Chamblee delivered a blunt verdict on the Rory McIlroy versus Scottie Scheffler debate, declaring Scheffler is operating on an entirely different level. Chamblee asserted that if Scottie plays his best golf, McIlroy simply cannot beat him, emphasizing Scheffler's dominance with stats highlighting superior consistency, ball-striking, and overall game that Rory at his peak still falls short of matching. “He’s not even close,” Chamblee stated emphatically, dismissing any real rivalry narrative amid Scheffler's recent triumphs and world number one stronghold. The comments have sparked widespread backlash from fans defending McIlroy's major pedigree and clutch performances, while others praise Chamblee's honesty on the current gap in elite golf. As the PGA Championship looms, this debate underscores Scheffler's unparalleled form.

LIV Golf Set to Refund Fans After Controversial Broadcast Decision

LIV Golf is issuing refunds to subscribers after abruptly dropping its popular “Any Shot, Any Time” premium streaming feature ahead of this week’s event in Korea. The innovative service, which allowed fans to watch every shot from every player for $59.99 per season or $8.99 per event, was axed as part of a “strategic decision” amid ongoing financial pressures following Saudi PIF’s decision to end funding after 2026. The move has drawn criticism from fans who purchased the add-on expecting full-season access. LIV officials confirmed they are actively processing refunds for affected customers. The cutback is linked to payment issues with broadcast vendors and broader cost-saving measures as the league reevaluates its production model. This latest development adds to growing concerns about LIV Golf’s long-term viability and viewer experience as it navigates an uncertain future.

2026 Charles Schwab Challenge leaderboard, scores: Tom Kim shows signs of life, Ludvig Åberg switches putters

FORT WORTH, Texas — A six-way tie tops the leaderboard after a weather-delayed first round at the 2026 Charles Schwab Challenge at Colonial Country Club. Tom Kim, Ryan Gerard, Andrew Putnam, J.J. Spaun, Matt McCarty, and Lee Hodges all carded 6-under 64s to share the lead. Kim’s strong opening round signals positive momentum as he seeks to regain form this season. Ludvig Åberg, the pre-tournament favorite, sits at 4-under 66 (T19) after switching to a new Scotty Cameron Phantom 3 mallet putter — his biggest equipment change yet. The switch paid early dividends, with Åberg gaining over two strokes on the field in putting and draining several key birdies. Defending champion Ben Griffin opened at 3-under. Play resumes Friday on the historic layout as contenders chase the $9.9 million purse. The tight, renovated Colonial promises a competitive weekend.