Check in every week for the unfiltered opinions of our writers and editors as they break down the hottest topics in the sport, and join the conversation by tweeting us at @golf_com. This week, we discuss the PGA Tour’s Championship Series, the Tour’s playoffs, the Women’s Open and more. 

1. The 2028 schedule dominoes are starting to fall, and in the past week we learned the first batch of Championship Series events will be the Travelers Championship, the newly minted Sompo Championship — which takes over the current Napa stop with a 2028 location TBD — the Sentry and the Arnold Palmer Invitational. Any learnings from this?

Nick Piastowski, senior editor (@nickpia): We expected the Travelers, the Sentry and the Arnold Palmer to be among the top tier. It’s the newly announced Sompo Championship that’s intriguing here, though. Securing a new sponsor following a format shakeup should be considered a big win for the PGA Tour. Where the event will be played in two years will also be of interest. Stay tuned. 

Josh Schrock, associate news editor (@Schrock_and_awe): The Tour’s ability to get a new sponsor to buy in for a Championship Series event with a $20 million purse is noteworthy. We’ve heard the demand from sponsors is higher than initially thought and this might prove that case. The rumored move of the Sompo to Seattle in 2028 would be a big win if it comes to pass.

Josh Sens, senior writer (@joshsens): We’ve heard that the demand from sponsors is higher than expected, but who’s been telling us that? The Tour. Time will tell if that’s really the case. Meantime, it is an interesting change in status for what used to be the Procore, an event with such a low-wattage field that it had morphed into a kind of wine country version of the Waste Management, with live bands and food and other non-golf attractions aimed at ramping up interest. The rumored move to Seattle makes sense. A major market that doesn’t see a lot of pro golf. I’ve heard Sahalee tossed around as a potential site, but why not Chambers Bay? More interesting course. And public access, too.

2. Does a surprise Championship Series event (the Sompo) mean there could be more unpredictability than we anticipated?

Piastowski: Maybe. Let’s try to figure this out. We’re gonna get 23 to 24 events in the Championship Series, the Tour says — and that includes the Players, the four majors, the Tour Championship, an international team event (Ryder Cup or Presidents Cup) and, once every four years, the Olympics. So that’s seven or eight events. Let’s add two playoff events. That’s nine to 10 events. We know of the four above. That’s 13 to 14. The final 10? Likely candidates are the WM Phoenix Open, the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am, the Genesis Invitational, the RBC Heritage, the Cadillac Championship, the Truist Championship and the Memorial. So … the final three could be interesting.    

Schrock: I don’t know how unpredictable it could get. With the Heritage, Pebble, Cadillac, Memorial, Genesis, WMPO and Truist presumably filling Championship slots, we don’t have a lot of room for shock. I feel like the winds are blowing toward the 3M getting a spot, which would be a surprise of sorts. 

Sens: There’s not a lot of room left for wild surprises. What’s less obvious is which sponsors will step up. In that sense, it seems likely to be a tail-wagging-the-dog type scenario. Which event becomes part of the Championship Series will depend more on the interests of the sponsor than on the merits of the tournament itself.

3. The FedEx Cup Playoffs are just around the corner, and this week’s Wyndham Championship is the last chance for pros to play their way into the top 70. Rocket Classic winner Michael Thorbjornsen made a massive jump Sunday (69th to 38th) and others will look to do the same in North Carolina. Which bubble-boy player is most intriguing to you?

Piastowski: I’m going right to Mr. 70 at the moment — Jackson Koivun. Don’t you get the feeling he’ll make a run in the playoffs? Then get a call to the Presidents Cup team? Then get one to next year’s Ryder Cup team? Just having some fun here. 

Schrock: It’s Brooks Koepka. Withdrew from the Rocket with an injury so his playoffs are in doubt. Needs a big week, if he plays, to not see his season end next week. Honorable mention to Tony Finau, who has been fighting it this year and needs something special to keep his playoff streak alive.

Sens: I’d add Keegan Bradley to that list. Currently at 72, just outside the bubble. He may never get over the Ryder Cup, but nabbing a spot in the playoffs wouldn’t hurt his mood.

4. The PGA Tour debuted a new announcer-free stream for all four rounds of the Rocket Classic in which the focus was on player-caddie interaction, crowd reactions and natural course audio. What did you think? And what do you think could be done differently or better next time?

Piastowski: Hand raised, I didn’t tune in to this, but I think it’s extremely dependent on the PGA Tour’s “talkers.” Otherwise, it’s a bit stale. But what I very much want to see is pro golf’s version of the Manningcast. Two former pros as hosts. Fun guests. Some analysis. Action in the background. 

Schrock: It seems like an interesting idea that needs more work. I could do with a lot of caddie-player convo with a walking on-course reporter and no play-by-play and desk commentator. This was fun and interesting at times but needs work. 

Sens: I think it works well in small doses, but, as Nick suggests, it depends on the players and the caddies, and which announcer voices are being silenced. Not all network commentators are created equal. Some add so little to the broadcast that I’d almost rather hear chatbots discussing the action, which, come to think of it, is probably where we’re headed anyway.

5. Shiho Kuwaki beat Esther Henseleit on the second playoff hole to win the AIG Women’s Open on Sunday in England, officially putting a bow on the women’s major season. What was your 2026 major-season takeaway for the LPGA? And which pro is most upset wondering what could have been with the major season now in the rearview?

Piastowski: Nelly Korda is great, Haeran Ryu is great, playing majors at great venues is great. I really thought Jeeno Thitikul would win a major this year, though. She did post three top 10s. A one-under on Sunday would have gotten her in the playoff. She’ll break through eventually. 

Schrock: The LPGA got the major start that it wanted with Nelly ripping off the first two. They did their best to parlay that into more interest but needed more from Charley Hull, Lydia Ko, Jeeno Thitikul and other star names. Haeran Ryu went on an epic heater and looked like she was poised to win three in a row before Lytham punched her on Saturday. Hull should be kicking herself after another major season without a win. She did her best to push Korda at the USWO but came up short. I thought she had a chance on Sunday at Lytham (as did 10 others) but couldn’t hit the shots down the stretch. She’s now 0-for-65 in majors, and while she still has a lot of runway in front of her, sometimes you’re just always a bridesmaid. 

Sens: Hull is a great personality and a compelling player. But I sense a bit of a Rickie Fowler phenomenon to her stardom, where her popularity outstrips her actual performance. She has three career wins on the LPGA Tour. That’s a fine accomplishment. But the sky-high expectations around her in the majors are a tad unrealistic. As for what might have been … Haeran Ryu can’t possibly be disappointed with her major campaign. But I’d understand her feeling wistful after this past weekend, when a chance for what would have been a historic three straight eluded her.

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Thanks in part to a dramatic 26-foot birdie putt on the 72nd to cap a Sunday 63, Michael Thorbjornsen is now a winner on the PGA Tour, taking the Rocket Classic by two shots.

It marks yet another win for TaylorMade’s Spider line of mallet putters — and TaylorMade overall as the former Stanford standout plays a full bag of TM gear. Thorbjornsen stroked the final putt with a Spider Tour X double bend, a putter he switched to earlier this season after beginning his PGA Tour career with a Spider Tour Short Slant.

“You can see how structured his practice is now; the drills, the process,” TaylorMade Tour Rep Adrian Rietveld told GOLF earlier this season during a deep dive of Thorbjornsen’s setup. “He’s gone from a talented putter to more of a student of the game.”

Putter wasn’t the only major change Thorbjornsen made this season. This spring, he moved from a full set of TaylorMade P7MC irons with a P770 3-iron to more of a combo set with TaylorMade P7MBs replacing the 5-PW.

Thorbjornsen ranked first in greens in regulation this week, missing just nine at Detroit Golf Club, and picked up +3.668 shots on the field on approach.

He also switched golf balls last season, moving to the softer and spinnier TP5 golf ball, following the move of now-back-to-back Masters winner Rory McIlroy.

“The main reason for that is to start to learn how to hit these off-speed shots,” Rietveld said. “I thought that’s actually a better golf ball for him through the bag. And he should be able to incorporate more of these off-speed shots and should be able to incorporate a wedge game that’s required for a top-10 player in the world.”

In his short time on Tour, Thorbjornsen’s bag has morphed into the prototypical setup for the modern bomber player, complete with a backweighted “LS” driver and a mini driver as a secondary option off the tee. Thorbjornsen plays the TaylorMade R7 Quad Mini Driver instead of a 3-wood.

“Being a 180-plus ball speed guy, the mini driver is kind of a safety for that,” Rietveld said. “When he doesn’t feel comfortable with driver, it becomes almost like a 300-yard club to get him in play and keep him in the tournament.”

For more on Thorbjornsen’s detailed setup, keep reading below.

Michael Thorbjornsen’s winning WITB at the 2026 Rocket Classic

Driver: TaylorMade Qi4D LS 9.0
Actual Loft: 9.75°
FCT Setting: 1 click higher (1˚ degree sleeve)
TAS Weights: 3g front, 8g Back
Lie: 58.5°
Face: W/ Fiducials
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Black Velo+ 7X
Length: 45.25″ EOG
Tipping: 1″
Swingweight: D4

TaylorMade Qi4D LS Custom Driver

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SHAPED FOR SPEED

Traditional address shape based on feedback from world-class players helps create confidence on every shot.
Qi4D LS is the lowest spinning option in the Qi4D lineup.

FACE FOR DISTANCE

Qi4D LS drivers feature a new and improved roll radius, yielding more consistent spin across vertical impact locations.

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ADJUSTABLE PERFORMANCE

4° loft sleeve can be used to adjust loft, lie and face angle for optimized flight.

TOUR PROVEN TECHNOLOGIES

New and improved cut-through Speed Pocket™ protects ball speed and reduces spin on low-face strikes.
Advanced CAD modeling creates a design with a clean and powerful sound, a foundation of TaylorMade driver performance.
Multi-Material Construction allows engineers to strategically place mass in areas of the head where it maximizes performance, speed, and stability.

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ALSO AVAILABLE AT: PGA TOUR Superstore, TaylorMade

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Specs
TaylorMade R7 Quad Mini 13.5˚
Actual Loft: 13.5˚
FCT Sleeve setting: Standard (1.5˚ sleeve)
Front Weights: 5g Toe, 7g Heel
Back Weights: 10g Toe, 10g, Heel
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus TR Blue 8-X
Length: 44″ CUT
Tipping: 1.5″
Swingweight: D4.5

TaylorMade R7 Quad Custom Mini Driver

PERFORMANCE FOR THE MODERN PLAYER
Inspired by one of the most iconic models in TaylorMade history, the R7 Quad Mini Driver pays homage to what’s come before, while creating its own modern identity in the same breath. It’s that very modern design that incorporates proven TaylorMade technologies to give golfers versatility and playability.
R7 QUAD WEIGHTING SYSTEM
The new quad weighting system features four movable weights (13g x2, 4g x2) that provide the ultimate in spin management and shot shape control. Forward CG creates a penetrating flight best suited for maximizing distance whereas rear CG helps prioritize control and ease of use from the deck. Shot shape can also be fine-tuned helping create the most optimal flight. Additional weights can be purchased for a wider range of adjustability.
INFINITY CARBON CROWN
A new satin Infinity Carbon Crown has been added to the R7 Quad Mini Driver chassis creating a stunning look while saving weight for better mass optimization. The cosmetic package is clean, elegant, and confidence-inspiring.

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Irons: TaylorMade P770 (3), P7MC (4), P7MB (5-PW)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold X7 (3), X100 (4-PW)
Lofts: 21/24/28/32/36/40/44/48
Lies: 60/60.5/61/61.75/62.75/63/63.5/64
Length: 1 1/4″ long (38 1/4″ 7-iron)

TaylorMade P7MB Custom Irons

TOUR-INSPIRED SHAPING
Direct input from Tour inspired the new shape of P•7MB, crafted for ultimate workability. The new design uses a shorter blade length, narrower sole width, and progressive offset design.
FACETED MUSCLE BACK GEOMETRY
A seamless blend of traditional muscle back iron performance with a contemporary look and design. The updated back bar now uses symmetrical geometry to create a timeless look both in the playing position and in the bag.
COMPACT GRAIN FORGING
1025 carbon steel is 5X forged using a 2,000-ton press engineered to produce a tighter, more compact grain structure with fewer defects. It is designed to provide the most solid, consistent feel possible.
MACHINED FACE & GROOVES
Precision is paramount. Machining the face ensures precision and quality with our mostaggressive MX9 score line geometry for exacting shot making.

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Wedges: TaylorMade MG5
Lofts/Grinds: 52-SB, 56-SB, 60-TW
Shafts: KBS Tour V 120 X
Lie: 63.5˚
Length: 36 5/8″, 36 5/8″, 36 1/4″

TaylorMade Milled Grind 5 Custom Wedge

FORGED FEEL
Incredible feel is a must for having a great wedge game. MG5 has been forged from soft carbon steel and designed with geometry to provide excellent feel with great feedback.
MAXIMUM SPIN
MG5 uses all-new, more aggressive grooves designed to maximize spin. Saw-milled grooves produce tighter tolerances allowing engineers to design steeper walls and sharper radii intended to maximize spin in both dry and damp conditions.
PERFORMANCE IN ALL CONDITIONS
RAW face with Spin Tread technology channels away moisture to help retain spin. The same way that tire treads help your car stay connected to the road, laser-etched channels redirect water at impact and creates more friction between the club face and golf ball to maintain spin in wet conditions.
CRAFTSMANSHIP MEETS CONSISTENCY 
Crafted by hand and then milled to perfection. Each wedge and sole grind are precision-milled to eliminate the natural human error that comes with hand polishing. Our grinds deliver unmatched consistency and craftsmanship that players can count on every time.
CHARCOAL FINISH
MG5 debuts a sleek, sophisticated charcoal finish that reduces glare and enhances its aesthetic appeal in the bag.

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Putter: TaylorMade Spider Tour X Black
Loft: 2˚
Lie: 72˚
Length: 35.5″
Hosel: Double Bend
Alignment aid: True Path Mid Line
Insert: 80/20 Pure Roll
Headweight: 534g
Swingweight: E5
Grip: TaylorMade Pistol

TaylorMade 2026 Spider Tour X DB Custom Putter

TORCHED PVD FINISH
The durable PVD coating creates a beautiful high-quality finish.
THIN WALL UNDERCUT CONSTRUCTION
We’ve engineered a super stable structure by removing excess weight to create high MOI and legendary Spider performance.
CG LOCATION PROGRESSION
Each Spider Torched model features different CG locations for optimal putter fitting.
HYBRAR ECHO® DAMPENER
HYBRAR is behind the face to dampen unwanted vibrations, delivering premium sound and feel on every putt with the best possible sensation.

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Grips: Golf Pride MCC

MCC Swing Grip, Black/Black, Standard – Golf Pride

MCC Swing Grip The MCC (New Decade MultiCompound) is an innovative hybrid grip that fuses the positive performance of rubber and cord. The MCC boasts the Golf Pride® exclusive Brushed Cotton Cord in the upper hand area for firm all-weather control, and a performance rubber material in the lower hand for ultimate feel and responsiveness. LARGER LOWER HAND The larger outside diameter simulates the feel of building up the grip with four extra wraps. This reduced taper encourages lighter grip pressure, promoting less tension in the hands and creating more fluidity and power throughout the swing. ALL-WEATHER CONTROL Our exclusive Brushed Cotton Cord fuses moisture-wicking cotton fibers into a new soft rubber material for added stability in any condition. MAXIMUM SURFACE TEXTURE Engineered for softer feel and strategically placed for high traction. A soft micro-texture increases traction and comfort, while texture placement is ideal for maximum hand coverage. Specifications: Grip Size: Standard, Midsize Cord Size: 60 Round

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Ball: 2026 TaylorMade TP5

TaylorMade TP5 2026 Golf Balls

It’s Time to Switch The best players in the world, like 2025 champion in Augusta and career Grand Slam winner Rory McIlroy and Collin Morikawa have already made the switch to the fastest ever TP5. It’s time for you to make the switch, too. What Is Microcoating? No two golf balls are the same, but the all-new TP5 sets out to solve an invisible problem through our revolutionary microcoating finish process. Uneven paint and excess pooling in the dimples can compromise distance and accuracy. Microcoating uses precision application technology to ensure uniform coverage across the ball’s entire surface. Click on the video for a deep dive. Thinner than a Human Hair Microcoating is thinner than a human hair and delivers measurable performance advantages: more consistent ball flight, optimized distance, and tight left-to-right dispersion. The Fastest TP5 Ever TP5 has long been our softest five-layer Tour ball, but now it’s faster than ever. Employing our largest Tour core to date, the TP5 retains more energy at impact, which results in faster ball speeds and more distance at the top of your bag. Tour Flight The reengineered Tour Flight Dimple Pattern features new dimples that when combined with microcoating, promote a more predictable, penetrating ball flight with optimized peak height performance and increased accuracy. Hyper Focus TP5 Stripe employs an all-new Tour Stripe with 360° ClearPath Alignment™, tighter feedback lines and a performance dot that allows you to achieve hyper focus on the green and hole more putts.

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