WGT Golf News : golf tournament

UPDATE: Virtual U.S. Open Qualifier

WGTwildcat — Fri, 14 Jun 2013 19:00:00 GMT

While the pros compete against each other – and mother nature – YOU can join the action on Merion by playing in the Virtual U.S. Open on WGT. You'll also face some good competition, but not the stormy weather.

There's still time to enter the Virtual U.S. Open Qualifier tournament and play the Merion full-18 stroke play course. You not only get a free Lexus avatar and Lexus virtual golf ball just for entering, you also have a chance to get a sweepstakes grand prize golf trip for two to the 2014 U.S. Open at Pinehurst #2.

Enter Free Now

Also happening this week on Merion...

WGT NATION members are competing in the Nation Merion Challenge tournament. This special two-round tournament on WGT features an unlimited qualifier round open through Friday, 6/14, and the top 50% of scores in each tier advance to a single-play championship weekend round, 6/15-6/16 to post their final combined scores.

Reminder – This is a tiered, NATION-only tournament and many of the current cut lines are above par. If you haven't posted your first round score yet, be sure to post one today, you still have a good chance to make the weekend championship round cut!

Enter NATION Tournament

Legends Merion Challenge Update

Last week, we challenged some of the top players on WGT to compete against each other in a special tournament on Merion, with the twist of including uneven lies.

The inclusion of uneven lies to the course added 6-9 strokes to top scores, compared to the scores in the Virtual U.S. Open Qualifier tournament. All very impressive, considering the par on Merion is 70 in each round (140 total) and only about 50 Legends and 20 Tour Legends were able to beat par in last week's tournament.

Congratulations to the top leaderboard scores in both the Legend and Tour Legend tiers...

Legend: Hanswurst72 (Level 93 Legend) shot a 59 and 63 in each round for a final score of 122

Tour Legend: fmagnets (Level 99 Tour Legend) shot a 61 in both rounds, totaling 122

bulfrog2004 (Level 96 Tour Legend) tied for the top score (122), but their round two score of 63 put them into second place based on tie-breaking rules

Play Merion during U.S. Open

WGTwildcat — Thu, 13 Jun 2013 09:00:00 GMT

The 2013 U.S. Open is officially underway, so be sure to join the action on Merion by playing in the Virtual U.S. Open on WGT.

The Virtual U.S. Open Qualifier is a free 18-hole stroke play tournament on Merion. You'll get a free Lexus avatar and Lexus virtual golf ball just for entering, plus a chance at the sweepstakes grand prize golf trip for two to the 2014 U.S. Open at Pinehurst #2. Good luck!

Play Merion Now

There are also lots of other ways to play Merion, including...

The free Back 9 Challenge for a chance to win a $500 gift card to USGAshop.com
Quick Merion Ready-Go's where the top 30 of 50 players earn WGT Credits
Or just join a virtual foursome on Merion with other WGT players from around the world!

*Virtual U.S. Open tournaments run thru 6/30/13. See rules for details.

Special Merion Tournament for WGT Nation

WGTwildcat — Mon, 10 Jun 2013 09:00:00 GMT

WGT Nation members, play the free Nation Merion Challenge tournament on WGT during the week of the U.S. Open.

Compete in this free, two-round tiered tournament on Merion against other Nation members in your same tier for a chance at double WGT Credits.

Play the unlimited qualifier round from 6/10-6/14 and the top 50% in each tier advance to a single-play championship weekend round, 6/15-6/16 to post final combined scores. The top 70 players per tier win.

Play Merion Tournament

WGT NATION is a free program for top WGT players. Learn more and see if you're eligible here.

*This special tournament is free to enter and runs 6/10/13-6/16/13, for WGT Nation enrolled players only.

UPDATE: Virtual U.S. Open

WGTwildcat — Fri, 07 Jun 2013 18:00:00 GMT

This week, the top players on WGT have been competing against each other in a special tournament under the hardest conditions on Merion.

The Legends Merion Challenge is a week-long tournament open to WGT Legend and Tour Legend players only and features Uneven Lies for an added skill challenge on sidehill, uphill and downhill shots.

Top players can play as many times as they want through Fri, 6/7 to post their best score and the top 50% make the cut and advance to this weekend's single-play championship round.

Currently, Hanswurst72, a Level 93 Legend from Germany is at the top of the leaderboard with a low score of 59. Hanswurst72 is also the only player so far to post a score below 60, unlike what the field looks like in the Virtual U.S. Open Qualifier tournament, where top scores are 6-9 strokes lower without Uneven Lies.

See full Legends Merion Challenge Leaderboard

VUSO Highlight of the Week

Watch Level 95 Tour Legend, nashkurt, sink this 19 yd putt on Merion Hole 12 in this video replay.

Remember, anyone can still play the Virtual U.S. Open Qualifier on Merion (as many times as you want) to try and post your best score!

Play Virtual U.S. Open Qualifier

Play Virtual U.S. Open Back 9 Challenge

WGTwildcat — Fri, 07 Jun 2013 17:04:00 GMT

Be sure to post your best score in the free Virtual U.S. Open Back 9 Challenge tournament on WGT before it ends, for your chance at a $500 USGAshop.com prize.

Both the top leaderboard score and a lucky sweepstakes winner chosen at random will each get a $500 gift card to USGAshop.com, where you can use the gift card to get official USGA and U.S. Open merchandise.

Play Free Now

*The Virtual U.S. Open Back 9 Challenge tournament is free to enter and open to WGT players in all countries, thru 6/30/13.

Special Tournament for Legends and Tour Legends

WGTwildcat — Tue, 04 Jun 2013 23:17:00 GMT

Legend and Tour Legend players, play in the Legends Merion Challenge tournament, featuring uneven lies.

Compete against the very best WGT players under the hardest conditions on Merion. Enter this special two-round tournament and be sure to post your first round score by Fri, 6/7.

First round is unlimited-play from 6/3-6/7, and the top 50% advance to the single-play second round, 6/8-6/9 over the weekend, to determine the final winners. The top 70 players in each tier will split double WGT Credit purses.

Play Legends Merion Challenge

*This tournament is free to enter and runs 6/3/13-6/9/13 for Legend and Tour Legend players only.

UPDATE: Virtual U.S. Open Qualifier

WGTwildcat — Fri, 31 May 2013 21:57:00 GMT

We're two weeks away from the U.S. Open at Merion (can you believe it?), and WGT players from all over the world continue to challenge the virtual Merion Golf Club championship course on World Golf Tour.

If you haven't played the free Virtual U.S. Open Qualifier yet, or are continuing to play to post a better score, be sure to check out our Merion hole previews on the blog for some pro tips by hole.

And keep checking back for more tips and advice as we continue on the #RoadToMerion (use this hashtag to join the conversation on Twitter!) when the top golfers come together at Merion to compete for the title.

VUSO Highlight of the Week

Watch TREMUX, a Level 98 Tour Legend (who has taken over second place in the Virtual U.S. Open Qualifier) sink a chip shot on Merion Hole 1 in this video replay. He's looking sharp with that Damon Hack Golf Channel avatar!

Remember, you can play the Virtual U.S. Open Qualifier as many times as you want to try and post your best score, so keep shooting!

Play Virtual U.S. Open

Virtual U.S. Open, Nike RZN Vapors and Bags Plus

WGTwildcat — Thu, 30 May 2013 10:00:00 GMT

It's U.S. Open month on WGT, so the 2013 Virtual U.S. Open Qualifier is in full swing, with more ways to compete on Merion, plus a couple other new features for WGT players. And be sure to watch this blog and our Facebook fan page all month for related news and special WGT promotions.

Virtual U.S. Open

With just two weeks left before the U.S. Open takes over the real Merion golf course, you still have lots of ways to play Merion on WGT...

Virtual U.S. Open Back 9 Challenge, 9 quick shots, $500 USGA gift card prizes

Virtual U.S. Open Qualifier, full 18-hole qualifier with grand prize trips to next year's U.S. Open
NEW Merion Ready-Go's, check back later today to play Merion in quick Ready-Go tournaments starting at only 50 WGT Credits
COMING SOON Merion Special Tournaments, check back next week for special Merion tournaments for top players and customers

Nike RZN Vapor Balls

Get the top performing Nike RZN virtual golf balls, with the most distance and control, plus a slower WGT swing meter, and now with popular vapor trails to more easily trace your shots thru the air. Available in the WGT Pro Shop:

Nike 20XI RZN Vapor, extra control, unlocks at Level 64 and Level 84
Nike 20XI-X RZN Vapor, extra distance, unlocks at Level 65 and Level 85

New Golf Bags Plus

Many top players like to play with club sets optimized for different golf courses and game formats on WGT.

With new Golf Bags Plus, you can save your different club sets so you always have the right clubs that are ready to go when you are. Look great on the tee in plaid, blue and white, or red.

UPDATE: Virtual U.S. Open Qualifier

WGTwildcat — Fri, 24 May 2013 18:00:00 GMT

What do top players think about Merion? We asked mrenn29, who is the 2011 Virtual U.S. Open Champion, and currently sits in second place in this year's Qualifier. Here’s what he had to say about Merion...

Well it's that time of year again where all of us get to enjoy and get familiar with a new U.S. Open course on WGT. Merion isn't the longest course, but it sure has its bite in certain areas.

It sort of reminds me of a cross between Oakmont and Congressional. The scenery is similar to Congressional while the greens are high in difficulty like Oakmont. The greens at Merion have a lot of slope and if you are not careful, double bogey with championship green speeds is definitely in the equation even for the top players.

The course offers a lot of birdie opportunities but also some holes where making par is a great score. I think this year it's going to come down to the hot putter and the right winds. Obviously being able to reach the #2 par 5 in two, and the #10 par 4 from the tee is gonna depend on the right wind direction, but being able to make those crucial putts around the greens is where I believe the tournament will be won.

Good luck qualifying everyone and "hit em straight!"

VUSO Highlight of the Week

See mrenn29 play (and ace!) Hole 13 on Merion in this VUSO video replay.

Remember, you can play the Virtual U.S. Open Qualifier as many times as you want to try and post your best score, so keep shooting!

Play Tournament

Grand Prize Trip to Next Year's U.S. Open

WGTwildcat — Thu, 23 May 2013 17:09:00 GMT

Don't miss your chance at a grand prize dream trip to next year's U.S. Open.

Just play the free 2013 Virtual U.S. Open Qualifier on WGT at Merion for your chance. Both the Virtual U.S. Open champion and one lucky sweepstakes winner will each get a grand prize, a trip for two people to the 2014 U.S. Open at Pinehurst. In addition, everyone who plays will automatically receive a free Lexus virtual avatar and a Lexus virtual golf ball as special gifts from Lexus.

Play Virtual U.S. Open

*The 2013 Virtual U.S. Open Qualifier tournament is free to enter, runs thru 6/30/13, and is open to WGT players in all countries. See tournament rules for prize eligibility.

UPDATE: Virtual U.S. Open Qualifier

WGTwildcat — Fri, 17 May 2013 22:00:00 GMT

We're two weeks into the 2013 Virtual U.S. Open Qualifier on World Golf Tour and are seeing some great virtual golf being played.

There are already more than 100,000 players entered and competing on Merion Golf Club, the host of this year's U.S. Open Championship.

The top 156 scores plus ties will make the cut to qualify for the Championship rounds, but everyone has a chance to not only play all 18 challenging holes at Merion, but also a chance to win the grand prize trip to next year's U.S. Open.

View Leaderboard

Remember, you can play the Virtual U.S. Open Qualifier as many times as you want to try and post your best score, so keep shooting!

Play Tournament

VUSO Highlight of the Week

Watch this video replay of WGT player, Cleworthy (Level 94 Legend) getting an amazing hole-in-one on the 256-yard Merion Hole #3 in the Qualifier.

Be sure to save your best replays and you could be featured too!

Best of Par 3 for WGT Nation

WGTwildcat — Tue, 14 May 2013 17:47:00 GMT

First tournament on the Best of Par 3 course with extra WGT Credit prizes for NATION players only.

Compete against other NATION players in your tier, with the top 70 scores in each tier splitting a double purse of WGT Credits.

Plus, with every hole being a par-3, this virtual golf course features the most chances to earn additional WGT Credits from Hole-In-One Challenges.

Play Nation Tourney

The popular Best of Par 3 course is now available for ranked games, so you can play this course in regular and country club tournaments, but scores aren't counted toward your official average due to the lower total par.

*Special tiered tournament open to WGT Nation members only, now thru 5/31/13.

Merion Full Course, Odyssey Putter and Callaway Driver

WGTwildcat — Thu, 02 May 2013 08:00:00 GMT

The wait is over! Experience all 18 holes of full stroke play golf at Merion Golf Club, as part of the 2013 Virtual U.S. Open Qualifier on World Golf Tour. And check-out the latest virtual golf equipment, including the first Odyssey putter and first Callaway driver on WGT.

Merion Virtual U.S. Open Qualifier

Now play all 18 holes of full stroke play on Merion Golf Club, host of the 2013 U.S. Open, in the Virtual U.S. Open on WGT.

Play free for your chance to win a grand prize golf trip to the 2014 U.S. Open at Pinehurst, both the top leaderboard score and one lucky sweepstakes player will win... It could be you!

Also, play any of the 18 holes on Merion individually without WGT signup, on the new Merion Golf Club course and hole pages. It's a great way to share Merion with friends who are not on WGT yet.

New Odyssey Putter

Improve your putting on WGT with the new Odyssey Versa virtual putter, with more precision and overall balance. Unlocks at Level 33 and Level 70 for top players.

New Callaway Driver

Get explosive distance with the new Callaway X Hot virtual driver, the first driver from Callaway on WGT. Unlocks at Level 31 and Level 67 for top players.

Ranked Rounds on Best of Par 3 Course

Now play ranked rounds on the Best of Par 3 course on WGT, which also features the most chances to earn WGT Credits from Hole-In-One Challenges. Remember, you win Hole-In-One Challenges by getting a hole-in-one or landing the ball within 1 or 5 feet of the hole. Try your luck!

Mother's Day Deals (that earn you free WGT Credits)

Get free WGT Credits and save with special Mother's Day offers on WGT. Save 50% on flowers, including $15 free WGT Credits from ProFlowers, and other offers from Shari's Berries, Harry & David, Red Envelope and more.

Use Gift Cards for WGT Credits

Now use even more Gift Cards to get WGT Credits, including newly added Sports Authority and Dollar General, which join Subway, Burger King and other top retailers. Just enter your Gift Card number to get the same value in WGT credits.

Play Virtual U.S. Open Back 9 for USGA Gift Cards

WGTwildcat — Fri, 26 Apr 2013 09:00:00 GMT

Don't miss the free Virtual U.S. Open Back 9 Challenge on World Golf Tour, with a chance to win $500 USGAshop.com prizes.

Two players will each get $500 gift cards to USGAshop.com -- one to the player with the top leaderboard score, and the other to a lucky sweepstakes winner chosen at random. Open to WGT players in all countries.

Play Merion Back 9

The full Virtual U.S. Open 18-hole stroke play course on Merion will be available in May, all leading up to the real event run by the USGA at Merion in June – the fifth U.S. Open at Merion.

Play Harbour Town during RBC Heritage

WGTwildcat — Thu, 18 Apr 2013 09:00:00 GMT

Play the same course the pros are playing, Harbour Town, site of this week's RBC Heritage event.

In this special golf tournament you will only compete against players in your same WGT tier, giving you better chances to earn more WGT Credits.

Harbour Town Golf Links on Hilton Head is a challenging layout, and home of the iconic closing hole with the famous Harbour Town lighthouse.

Play Free Tournament

*This special tournament is open to WGT players in all countries, and runs now thru 4/30/13.