Golf Highlights: Last 24 Hours Recap 08/16/2026

Over the past week in golf (August 9–16, 2026), several significant events and developments have unfolded:

US Amateur Championship

The 2026 US Amateur Championship took place from August 10–16 at Merion Golf Club in Ardmore, Pennsylvania, and Philadelphia Country Club in Gladwyne, Pennsylvania. This prestigious event serves as a crucial stepping stone for aspiring professional golfers, with past winners including Viktor Hovland and Bryson DeChambeau. The semi-finals featured matchups such as Carter Loflin vs. Jack Whaley and Jay Leng Jr. vs. Logan Reilly. Notably, several major upsets set the stage for an exciting conclusion. Fans in the US could stream the event on Peacock and NBC. (golfmonthly.com)

PGA Tour: Wyndham Championship

At the 2026 Wyndham Championship, Michael Brennan secured his second PGA Tour victory, earning $1,530,000 from the tournament’s $8.5 million purse. Held at Sedgefield Country Club in North Carolina, this event was the final opportunity for players to qualify for the FedEx Cup Playoffs. Brennan triumphed over runner-up Beau Hossler by three strokes. Notably, Brooks Koepka expressed deep frustration after failing to qualify for the FedEx Cup Playoffs, acknowledging his persistent struggles with putting. (golfmonthly.com)

PGA Tour: FedEx St. Jude Championship

The FedEx St. Jude Championship kicked off the FedExCup playoffs at TPC Southwind in Memphis, Tennessee. 69 top golfers competed for advancement to the BMW Championship and ultimately the Tour Championship. Notable participants included FedExCup leader Scottie Scheffler, Matt Fitzpatrick, Cameron Young, reigning champion Tommy Fleetwood, Rory McIlroy, and 2025 titleholder Justin Rose. Viewers in the U.S. could stream the tournament on ESPN, CBS, and Golf Channel. (whathifi.com)

PGA Tour: Driver Usage

As of August 2026, 34 PGA Tour events have taken place with 19 different driver models used by winners. The most dominant driver model has been the Titleist GT3, accounting for 8 victories, helped by players like Matt Fitzpatrick, Cameron Young, and Michael Brennan. Titleist also led all manufacturers with 14 total wins using five models. TaylorMade followed with 9 wins from six different models; the Qi4D Core was the top TaylorMade driver with 3 wins, including two majors (The Masters and the US Open). Ping ranked third with 6 wins, mainly from the G440 LST and G440 Max. Callaway registered 3 wins with three different drivers, while Srixon had 2—including a Major at The Open Championship—both using its new ZXi lineup. Cobra secured a single win with Gary Woodland using the Optm Max K. (golfmonthly.com)

PGA Tour: Colorado’s Potential Inclusion

The PGA Tour is considering Colorado—specifically Denver—as a new regular stop in its revamped schedule starting in 2028. This would mark the state’s first consistent presence on the PGA Tour in two decades, since the discontinuation of The International at Castle Pines Golf Club in 2006. Potential venues now include Castle Pines, Cherry Hills, TPC Colorado, and the upcoming Rodeo Dunes complex, positioning the state as a strong contender for future PGA Tour events. (axios.com)

Rodeo Dunes Golf Resort

Rodeo Dunes, a new multicourse golf complex under development in Weld County, Colorado, is set to open its first course to the public in 2027. Positioned about an hour from Boulder and Denver, the 4,000-acre site is designed to attract golf tourism with inclusive, experience-driven offerings. Developed by the family behind Bandon Dunes in Oregon and Sand Valley in Wisconsin, the project continues their tradition of high-profile golf destinations. The first course, designed by renowned architects Ben Crenshaw and Bill Coore, features a traditional links-style layout with dunes, bunkers, and sandy hazards, but no trees or water hazards. Despite concerns about accessibility due to anticipated green fees of $350 plus a $150 caddie fee, Rodeo Dunes could position Weld County as a prominent destination for golf enthusiasts. (axios.com)

LIV Golf: Jon Rahm’s Championship and Future Uncertainty

Jon Rahm, the 31-year-old Basque golfer, secured his third consecutive individual championship in the LIV Golf League. Despite his dominance this season, Rahm’s recent performances have been concerning, with finishes of 23rd in the UK and 41st in New York. This decline coincides with the Public Investment Fund (PIF) reducing funding for LIV Golf after investing over $5 billion without the expected return. The league is set to transform into LIV 2.0 in 2027, with only 10 tournaments and significantly lower prize money. This shift raises questions about the future of star players like Rahm, who now faces the dilemma of continuing with LIV under less lucrative conditions or attempting to return to the PGA Tour, potentially facing sanctions. (elpais.com)

LPGA Tour: Lexi Thompson’s Announcement

Lexi Thompson announced her pregnancy on Instagram, expecting a baby girl in February 2027 with her husband Max Provost. Despite her semi-retirement in 2024, she still competes occasionally on the LPGA Tour. (golfmonthly.com)