Monday, September 21, 2026 Balls & Bogeys Golf News Edition
Photo: Getty Images
J.J. Spaun proves worth after Presidents Cup snub with BMW PGA Championship win
Per Adam Schupak / Golfweek: “J.J. Spaun made an emphatic point that he would have been healthy enough to play for the U.S. side at next week’s Presidents Cup.”
B&B POV: J.J. was left off the U.S. Presidents Cup squad, announced earlier this month. Instead of stewing in his Lazy Boy after what he perceived as a snub by Captain Sneds, he traveled to the UK for one of Europe’s most hallowed events and won it! If J.J. can carry the positive feels from this victory into next year, he has a great shot at earning a spot on the Ryder Cup team, which is the cup event roster every U.S. pro strives for.
Photo: Medinah CC
2026 Presidents Cup Preview: Can Anyone Stop Team USA at Medinah?
Per Chris Lohman / Balls & Bogeys: “The Presidents Cup is back, and this time it’s heading to one of the most recognizable—and recently transformed—pieces of real estate in American golf.
Medinah Country Club will host the 2026 Presidents Cup from September 24–27, bringing together 24 of the best golfers from the United States and around the world (sans Europe and the LIV guys) for four days of four-ball, foursomes and mano a mano competition.
And if history is any indication, the International Team has its work cut out for it.
Team USA has won 13 of the 15 Presidents Cups, including the last 10 in a row. The lone International victory came in 1998 at Royal Melbourne, while the 2003 event ended in a tie. The Americans are also the defending champions after beating the Internationals 18½–11½ at Royal Montreal in 2024.
So, yeah. No pressure, guys.”
Photo: Getty Images
2026 Biltmore Championship prize money payouts for each PGA Tour player in Asheville
Per Cameron Jourdan / Golfweek: “What a finish for Jacob Bridgeman.
Next week, the 26-year-old will make his International debut on the U.S. Presidents Cup team. This week, he dominated the final round of the 2026 Biltmore Championship Asheville, shooting 10-under 61 on Sunday to win by two shots over Ben James. It’s his second PGA Tour victory of the year, in addition to his victory at the Genesis Invitational in February at Riviera.”
B&B POV: “Sunday, Jacob Bridgeman fired a 10-under-par 61 to win the Biltmore Championship by 2, pocketing $900k. Ben James also fired a 10-under-par 61 yesterday, finished solo 2nd, and took home $545k. J.T Poston one-upped those boys, posting a 60. He jumped 27 spots on the leaderboard to finish T-5 with stud Jackson Koivun – both of them banked just under $200k.
Our key takeaway for kids pursuing their dreams of playing professional golf: Just go out and post 10 or 11-under, and you, too, will be able to afford a down payment on your first house. That’s all it takes.”
Photo: Getty Images
Winning Bags: The Gear Behind Spaun’s BMW PGA Championship and Bridgeman’s Biltmore Championship Asheville Victories
Per Thomas Hamden / Balls & Bogeys: It was a pretty entertaining Sunday in professional golf.
Across the pond, J.J. Spaun closed with a 5-under 67, birdied four of his final five holes and won the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth by two shots over a stacked field of many of the world’s best.
Back in North Carolina, Jacob Bridgeman shot a ridiculous 10-under 61 to erase a five-shot deficit and win the PGA TOUR’s inaugural Biltmore Championship Asheville by two.
Two tournaments. Two winners. Two very different equipment setups.
And because we are constitutionally incapable of watching someone win a golf tournament without immediately wondering what the hell they have in the bag, we dug into both.
Here’s what Spaun and Bridgeman were gaming when they got their hands on the trophies.
Photo: Getty Images
Joaquin Niemann lifts lid on LIV Golf contract talks
Per Andrew Robson / bunkered: “Joaquin Niemann has provided a curious update on his LIV Golf 2.0 contract situation. Speaking to Golf Digest at the BMW PGA Championship, the Chilean was asked if he had committed to LIV for 2027.
“No, nothing yet,” he said in response to Evin Priest’s question.”
B&B POV: Niemann is a B&B favorite, and we’d love to see him back on the PGA Tour. We’d be tickled pink to see Bryson, Rahm, the Mad Hatter, and Niemann teeing it up in all of our favorite tournaments alongside the best players in the world. As far as the other LIV’ers in limbo, we’re ok with them rotting for a few years…we don’t really miss them.
LESSON OF THE WEEK
A Simple Drill to Help You Control Your Distances When Chipping with Gavin Witzer, PGA
Do you struggle to control your distances when chipping greenside? Sure you do. We all do. So practice using this drill shared by Gavin Witzer, PGA from @GavinWitzerGolf.
YOU HAVE TO SEE THIS..
Whose buddy is this?
Things you just can’t make up. Don’t miss these random nuggets of gold we found on the interwebs. You’re welcome.
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