Fresh Faces and Old Favorites
Around the Game
Well, what a week it's been out on Tour. The headline belongs to young Jackson Koivun, all of 21 years old, who in just his third professional start stared down Scottie Scheffler and walked off the TPC Twin Cities with the 3M Open trophy — a debut for the ages that vaulted him up to No. 70 in the FedExCup race. Speaking of the FedExCup, the regular season is winding down, and the Rocket Classic at a freshly renovated Detroit Golf Club, sporting a reported $16 million facelift, serves as the penultimate stop before the playoffs. On the business side, the Tour keeps building for the future: word came that the Travelers Championship will be the first confirmed event in a new elevated Championship Series set to launch in 2028, and there's been plenty of chatter about the Tour's strategic partnership with the DP World Tour and Asian Tour running through 2029 — clearly the folks in Ponte Vedra are thinking about life beyond the LIV squabbles. Over on the LIV side, Lucas Herbert banked a cool $4 million at JCB Golf & Country Club in the United Kingdom event, even as questions about that circuit's long-term future keep swirling. For the gear hounds, MyGolfSpy served up a couple of tasty reads, including a rundown of three older clubs that still managed to win on Tour this year — a nice reminder that the newest release isn't always the answer — plus their big test of 47 iron models across 2026, where Titleist, Wilson, Takomo and Tour Edge each claimed a category. Plugged In Golf chimed in with a look at some under-the-radar irons benefiting from AI face designs and forgiveness gains worth a fitting. And if you're in the mood for something evergreen, Golf Digest ranked all the courses on the Open Championship rota, from Birkdale to the Old Course — perfect summer reading for anyone dreaming of links golf. All in all, a busy stretch with fresh faces rising and the game's bigwigs plotting their next moves.
Jackson Koivun Outduels Scheffler for a Breakthrough Win
At just 21 and in only his third pro start, Jackson Koivun kept his nerve to hold off Scottie Scheffler and capture the 3M Open. The win rockets him up to No. 70 in the FedExCup standings — quite a debut chapter.
Travelers Lands a Spot in the Tour's New Championship Series
The Travelers Championship is the first confirmed event in the PGA Tour's new elevated Championship Series, set to launch in 2028. It's an early peek at how the Tour plans to reshape its biggest weeks going forward.
Three Old Clubs That Still Won in 2026
Before you rush to replace everything in the bag, take heart: three well-worn clubs found their way into winner's circles on Tour this year. A good reminder that the right fit beats the newest shiny release.
In Case You Missed It: The Open Rota, Ranked
A perfect summer read ranking every course on the Open Championship rota, from Royal Birkdale to the Old Course at St. Andrews. It's a fun tour of the history and quirks that make links golf so special.
A Tip Before You Tee Off
Next time you're stuck between clubs, take the longer one and swing easy — most of us come up short far more often than we sail it over. A smooth three-quarter swing usually finds the middle of the face and the middle of the green. Give it a try this weekend.
Rich Card, MG Golf
