BMW PGA Championship

Whilst the focus of this week’s Tour Blog is, of course, the BMW PGA Championship we could hardly let last week’s amazing climax to the 3 Irish Open pass by without comment. It’s not every week that an amateur golfer, making his debut appearance on the European Tour, walks away with the trophy. But that’s exactly what happened in Baltray this past weekend. Not only that but the amateur in question chose a full bag of Titleist equipment including the Pro V1x to claim what can only be described as an historic victory. Incredible stuff!!

Talking of history, this week’s BMW PGA Championship comes from a venue that has seen its fair share of historic moments over the years; the magnificent West Course at Wentworth Golf Club, Surrey, England. The Harry Colt designed course has seen a number of alterations in recent years and, at 7300 yards, is a stiff test for even the world’s best players. That said, with a €4.5 million prize fund, and one of the most prestigious titles on the European Tour calendar on offer, every player in the field will want to bring their A-game to the event and write their name in the history books. A world class field has assembled for the event and, as you would expect, Titleist has strong representation with the following brand ambassadors all in the hunt for PGA Championship glory.

Click here to view the slideshow

Victory at this week’s championship is, of course, the aim for every player in the field. However, a victory around Wentworth would be particularly poignant for Ross Fisher. The big-hitting Englishman is a long time member of the club and has played literally hundreds of rounds on Wentworth’s West Course. Ross will certainly have strong support from the local fans and was understandably excited about teeing it up around his home course this week. Ross’ excitement will have been further fuelled by an opening round 68 (-4) which puts him right into title contention. A faultless, bogey free round was punctuated by a grandstand finish with a birdie three at the par four 17th being swiftly followed by a stunning eagle three at the par five 18th (much to the delight of his supporters).

We thought you’d appreciate a look at Ross’ custom Scotty Cameron putter and headcover. His Newport 2 GSS features custom R.F stamping and his headcover….well take a look at the slideshow and see for yourself. Cool is the only word to describe it!!!

The Scotty Cameron Studio Select Kombi putter has continued to draw interest this week. We told you a couple of weeks ago that Brett Rumford was the first player to put the Kombi in play on the European Tour and he has now been followed by fellow Aussie Peter O’Malley. Peter is ‘gaming’ a Kombi Mid at Wentworth for the first time this week following successful testing. Also testing the Kombi for the first time at Wentworth was Madeira Islands Open winner Tano Goya. The young Argentinian took away a 32.5” Kombi fitted with 20g weights (heel and toe) and distinctive Scotty Cameron Custom Shop grip in pink.

Other builds to take place this week aboard the Titleist Tour Support Vehicle (TTSV) included new 909 metals for Northern Ireland’s Michael Hoey and a new 909 fairway for the aforementioned Brett Rumford. Hoey was keen to test some new options in the 909 metals and is one of the first players out on Tour to be fitted for Mitsubishi Rayon’s latest shaft offering, the Diamana Blue Kai’Li which features some rather distinctive, Hawaii inspired, floral graphics. Brett on the other hand felt that he needed a stronger ball flight from his low lofted fairway and, after some work on the range, a new 909F3 was assembled with a Mitsubishi Rayon Diamana Whiteboard 83 X-flex shaft. The heavier weight and low launch characteristics of the Diamana Whiteboard shaft delivered the more powerful, boring flight that Brett was looking for and he has taken away the club for further testing. Full specifications for both Brett and Michael are listed below:

Michael Hoey

> Model: 909F2
> Loft: 15.5°
> Shaft: Mitsubishi Rayon Diamana Blue Kai’Li 70 X-Stiff
> Length: 42.75”
> Grip: Golf Pride DD2 60 Round (Yellow)
> Swingweight: D5

> Model: 909H
> Loft: 19°
> Shaft: Fujikura Speeder 904HB X-Stiff
> Length: 40.25”
> Grip: Golf Pride DD2 60 Round (Yellow)
> Swingweight: D5

Brett Rumford

> Model: 909F3
> Loft: 15°
> Shaft: Mitsubishi Rayon Diamana Whiteboard 83 X-Stiff
> Length: 42.75”
> Grip: Golf Pride Tour Velvet Cord 58
> Swingweight: D3

A number of the European Tour’s big guns are off to a fine start at Wentworth but, with the leaderboard tightly packed, it is certainly too early to pick a winner. That said, if you are looking for someone with the pedigree to come through and take the title, then 2008 Harry Vardon Trophy winner Robert Karlsson would certainly fit the bill. Titleist Ambassador Karlsson was a multiple winner on the European Tour in 2008 as he claimed his first order of merit title and, despite a comparatively quiet 2009 thus far, surely has all the credentials needed to capture such a prestigious title. How about Karlsson battling it out with local hero Fisher down the stretch? Now that would be entertaining!! Of course, we’ll have to wait and see what transpires but the championship is certainly shaping up for an enthralling climax.

Next week the European Tour makes the short trip to from Surrey to Kent for the European Open at The London Golf Club. Last year’s event saw Ross Fisher dominate the field with a superb display of power and precision that saw him win in wire-to-wire fashion by seven strokes. Ross will again be in the field for the event but will doubtless face stiff competition in defence of his title. Masters champion and Titleist Pro V1x loyalist Angel Cabrera is just one of a number of big names that will have realistic aspirations of claiming European Open glory.

The Titleist Tour Blog will be back inside the ropes at the European Open and will have all the latest news in next week’s post.

Add comment May 22nd, 2009

The 3 Irish Open

The European Tour rolled into Drogheda, Ireland this week for a taste of links golf at the 3 Irish Open. County Louth Golf Club, or “Baltray” as it is more affectionately known, plays host to the event for the first time since 2004 and, following a number of weeks of parkland golf, will offer the players a very different challenge. A combination of heavily contoured links land and strong, blustery winds will place particular emphasis on a player’s shot-making ability. Any player losing control of their ball flight will find their hopes of glory quickly blown away.

As mentioned in last week’s post the focus in the run-up to the event was very much aimed at young Titleist Ambassador Rory McIlroy. A definite fan’s favourite wherever he tees it up and hailing from Holywood, Northern Ireland, Rory will receive particularly vociferous support from the Irish crowds who can always be relied upon to cheer their sporting heroes. You need only check this week’s slide show for evidence of this.

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Not being one to disappoint, Rory is off to a fine start. A solid opening round of 69 (-3) was followed up by another strong round of 68 (-4) in round two leaving McIlroy in a strong position to contend for the title over the weekend. Should Rory go onto claim the title he will do so with a new putter. Following a couple of frustrating week’s on the greens, Rory recently decided a change was in order and has put a new Scotty Cameron Black Newport 009 into play.

Unfortunately, the weather in Ireland this week put paid to the majority of equipment work. Wind and rain is not ideal for ball testing or driver fitting so the majority of equipment work that did take place was primarily focused on wedges. Titleist Ambassadors Rory McIlroy, Ross Fisher, Soren Hansen and Peter O’Malley are all playing new Vokey Wedges at this week’s event. In addition, Mikko Ilonen is also in possession of his new 60° Vokey. Those of you that read last week’s post will know exactly why Mikko needed a new wedge. Let’s just hope the new Vokey can avoid similar treatment from the self proclaimed FF (Flying Finn). Check out the slide show for a look at Mikko’s new Vokey.

Another Titleist Ambassador to pick up new Vokey wedges this week was young Spaniard Carlos Del Moral. Carlos was second reserve for this week’s event but decided to travel just in case a place at the event became available. Unfortunately Carlos hasn’t made it into the field, but his time at County Louth wasn’t wasted as he picked up new Vokeys, a new set of Titleist ZB forged irons and a new 909F3 15° fairway metal. Carlos will test the new equipment during his time off as he prepares for next week’s event.

Next week’s European Tour event is the BMW PGA Championship held at the Wentworth Club, Surrey, England. The event is one of the most prestigious on the European Tour calendar and always attracts one of the year’s strongest fields. Titleist will be well represented by the likes of Robert Karlsson, Rory McIlroy and Ross Fisher who will all have realistic designs on lifting the trophy and the winner’s share of the €4.5 million prize fund. High stakes are sure to result in high drama and the event promises to be quite a spectacle. The Titleist Tour team will be on site with the TTSV and next week’s Tour Blog will reveal all from inside the ropes at the event.

2 comments May 15th, 2009

BMW Italian Open

This week’s leg of the inaugural Race to Dubai sees the European Tour visit a new venue for the 66th playing of the BMW Italian Open. The Royal Park Golf Club near Torino is the chosen venue for the event, a course which sits in the shadows of the magnificent Italian Alps. This par 71, Robert Trent Jones Snr-designed layout is certainly picturesque, offering wonderful views of The Alps. But it is the on-course features that must remain the focus of any player looking to challenge for the title this week. It’s certainly easy to be distracted by the serene Alpine location but with tree-lined fairways, penal rough, small greens and numerous water hazards, the course will punish any player not totally focused on their shot. The players will certainly be tested by this challenging 7222 yard layout and the eventual winner will need every part of their game to be in full working order.

Click here to view the slideshow

As usual, this week’s field features a number of Titleist ambassadors but the most notable of these is surely Englishman Robert Dinwiddie. The Italian Open is Robert’s first event in mainland Europe this year following an eight-week injury layoff. Robert tore an Intercostal muscle playing the final round of the Johnnie Walker Classic in Australia earlier this year and hasn’t been seen on the European Tour since. It’s great to see Robert in competitive action again and we are pleased to send him out there with some new equipment. Dinwiddie spent some time during practice testing the new 2009 Pro V1x and has immediately switched to the new ball for the event. Also going in the bag this week is a new driver, a 909D3, which was also selected after some successful testing earlier in the week (see below for full specifications). Both Robert and his equipment seem to be working well as, at the time writing, he lies tied for 20th at three under par following rounds of 72 and 67. Making the cut on his first week back after injury is a great performance and worthy of congratulations but the ease at which he did it is particularly impressive. We’ll all be cheering him on over the weekend!!!

Robert Dinwiddie

> Model: 909D3 RH
> Loft: 8.5°
> Shaft: Fujikura Rombax 7Z08 X-Flex
> Length: 45”
> Grip: Lamkin Crossline Full Cord (Reversed / +1/32”)
> Swingweight: D3

In last week’s Tour Blog we reported that Brett Rumford had ordered a new Scotty Cameron Kombi putter following a trip to Titleist’s European Headquarters. This week Brett is back in action and the Kombi has gone straight in play for the event following a hugely successful practice session at The Wisley Golf Club, Surrey, UK. Brett described his new flatstick as “perfect” when he caught up with the team earlier in the week and, with 57 putts for the opening two rounds, we certainly wouldn’t argue. Brett is the first player to put the Kombi putter in play on the European Tour but he could soon be followed by fellow Australian and Titleist Ambassador Peter O’Malley. Peter is considering a switch to a belly putter but was keen to test out both the standard 35” version and the mid-length version of the Kombi. He’ll pick up the standard version at the Irish Open next week but he’s already taken away the Kombi Mid for testing. Specifications are as follows:

Peter O’Malley

> Model: Scotty Cameron Kombi Mid
> Length: 40”
> Lie: 71°
> Length: 4°
> Grip: Winn One Piece Round (Std)
> Weights: 15g (Heel & Toe)

The final piece of equipment news from this week’s event comes from Finland’s Mikko Ilonen. Following a somewhat competitive practice match against his coach, Mikko required a new Vokey Wedge. As with most European Tour professionals Mikko isn’t one to admit defeat even during a casual game and, having found a tricky lie near a rock, decided that the shot was worth taking on despite the obvious risk to his beloved wedge. In a collision that would surely have made master craftsman Bob Vokey shudder to his very core, the rock, I’m sorry to say, won the battle and Mikko’s wedge is no longer with us. That said, this sacrifice did at least enable Mikko to extricate himself from trouble and he ultimately went on to win his match. His new Vokey wedge is on the way and he now has the bragging rights over his coach.

Mikko Ilonen

> Model: Tour Chrome Spin Milled Vokey
> Loft / Bounce: 60° / 4°
> Shaft: Dynamic Gold S200
> Length: 35”
> Lie: 64°
> Grip: Golf Pride Tour Velvet Round .580 Round (+1/64”)
> Swingweight: D5
> Stamping: FF (Flying Finn)

The European Tour heads to Ireland next week for the 3 Irish Open which returns to County Louth Golf Club in Baltry, Drogheda. The venue holds happy memories for Brett Rumford who claimed the Irish Open title there five years ago and, with new Kombi putter in hand, he will be looking for a repeat performance next week. A number of other Titleist Ambassadors will also be in the field including Ross Fisher, Robert Dinwiddie and Carlos Del Moral to name but a few. However, the big story going into the event is surely the return of Rory McIlroy to European Tour action. Titleist Ambassador, McIlroy, has been stateside for a number of weeks and is fast becoming one of the biggest crowd pullers in the game. The young Northern Irishman is sure to receive a hugely warm welcome from the galleries in Ireland and will start the event among the favourites to lift the title. The trip to Ireland is always a great week and the team are already busy preparing the Titleist Tour Support Vehicle for the event. There should be plenty happening both on and off the course and, as usual, the Tour Blog will keep you right up to date.

2 comments May 8th, 2009

Open de España

Girona, Spain is this week’s destination for the European Tour as the Stadium Course at PGA Golf Catalunya plays host to the Open de Espana for first time since the year 2000. The 7172 yard, par 72 layout is in great shape for the event and, with the fairways and greens in pristine condition, four days of low scoring is expected from a high quality field. Titleist Ambassador Soren Hansen certainly delivered a low score on day one as he set the pace with a stunning, course record setting 63 (-9). Round two has seen the likeable Dane consolidate his position with a solid two under par 70. Lying in second place Soren is sure to contend for the title over the weekend.

The players haven’t had an opportunity to utilise the facilities of the Titleist Tour Support Vehicle (TTSV) since the beginning of April, due to a break in the schedule during Masters week and two consecutive events in Asia. Its appearance this week in Spain saw many players approach the team to work on their equipment. The reputation of the 909 metals continues to strengthen and lots of players have received fittings for new 909 products this week.

Click here to view the slideshow

Northern Irishman Michael Hoey, a recent winner on Tour at the Estoril Open de Portugal, was one player to check in with Titleist Fitting Technician Mattias Jelver for a 909 fitting. Despite his recent victory Michael is keen to improve on his driving performance and following a successful fitting session has taken away two 909 drivers for further testing (see below). Michael certainly likes his drivers heavy; his preference is a D6 swingweight!!!

Michael Hoey

> Model: 909D2 RH
> Loft: 9.5°
> Shaft: Fujikura Rombax Motore F1 75, X-Flex (Tipped 1.5”)
> Length: 45”
> Grip: Lamkin Crossline
> Swingweight: D6

> Model: 909D2 RH
> Loft: 9.5°
> Shaft: Mitsubishi Rayon Fubuki 73, X-Flex (Tipped 1.5”)
> Length: 45”
> Grip: Lamkin Crossline
> Swingweight: D6

Titleist Ambassador Bernd Wiesberger was another player to spend some time with Mattias this week working on his driver setup. Bernd has been using a 909D2 for sometime and has been happy with the performance but, with a ball speed up at 174mph, felt his shaft was perhaps a little soft in the tip. The fitting showed that his current driver specification is a good fit but, having tested a number of different options, Mattias also found another setup that yielded positive results. Bernd has taken away a 909D3, 9.5° fitted with the new Fujikura Rombax Motore F1 75 X-Flex shaft for further testing. The combination of the 909D3 head and the stiffer tip of the shaft gave Bernd the desired reduction in spin which should help control his ball flight, particularly in windy conditions.

Two other players to receive 909 fittings this week in Spain were Dutchman Wil Besseling and Australian Matthew Millar. Besseling is currently using the new 2009 Titleist Pro V1x, ZB Forged irons, Vokey Wedges and Scotty Cameron Big Sur Putter and was keen to try out the 909 driver. Wil is a good driver of the ball but, as with most players, is always on the look out for something more. The 909 product certainly worked well during his fitting and he’s taken away a 909D3 9.5° fitted with a Mitsubishi Rayon Fubuki 73 X-Flex shaft. Matthew Millar is a new addition to the Titleist roster and was looking for an additional 10 metres in distance from his #3 wood. A simple change from a 909F2 15.5° to a 13.5° version, plus a shaft with a slightly softer tip, delivered the extra distance and Matthew put the new fairway metal straight in play for this weeks event.

In addition to working with the players at the event, this week saw Titleist Ambassador Brett Rumford pay a visit to Titleist’s European Headquarters in the UK. Brett opted not to play at the Open de Espana this week but is gearing up for next week’s BMW Italian Open in Torino. Brett spent time with Titleist Tour Representative Phil Dimmock discussing his equipment needs and subsequently placed an order for new Titleist AP2 irons, Vokey Design wedges and a Scotty Cameron Studio Select Kombi putter. The clubs were assembled in double-quick time in our Tour workshop and shipped directly to Brett to begin his testing. This week’s slideshow features pictures from inside the workshop including a look at Brett’s clubs being assembled. In addition, a full run down of the specifications ordered are provided below:

Brett Rumford

> Model: AP2 Forged RH
> Composition: 3-9 Iron
> Shaft: True Temper Project X 6.0
> Length: Standard
> Lie: 1° Flat
> Grips: Golf Pride Tour Velvet Cord .58 Round
> Swingweight: D3

> Model: Vokey 200 Series (Raw Finish)
> Loft/Bounce: 48° / 8°
> Shaft: True Temper Project X 6.0
> Length: Standard
> Lie: 1° Flat
> Grip: Golf Pride Tour Velvet Cord .58 Round
> Swingweight: D3

> Model: Vokey 200 Series (Raw Finish)
> Loft/Bounce: 54° / 8°
> Shaft: True Temper Dynamic Gold S400
> Length: Standard
> Lie: 1° Flat
> Grip: Golf Pride Tour Velvet Cord .58 Round
> Swingweight: D1

> Model: Tour Chrome Spin Milled Vokey
> Loft/Bounce: 60° / 8°
> Shaft: True Temper Dynamic Gold S400
> Length: Standard
> Lie: 1° Flat
> Grip: Golf Pride Tour Velvet Cord .58 Round
> Swingweight: D0

> Model: Scotty Cameron Studio Select Kombi
> Length: 35”
> Lie: 71°
> Loft: 4°
> Grip: Titleist Cameron Cord – Red
> Weighting: 10g weights (heel/toe), 20g (back)

As well as showing you inside our Tour Workshop this week’s slideshow also features images of a new Scotty Cameron creation. We know there are plenty of Cameron fans out there that will get a kick out of this one; a Tour issue Kombi with a black oxide finish. Nice!!!

We’re moving onto Italy next week for the BMW Italian Open, so “arrivederci” from the Tour Blog until then and enjoy the weekend’s play at the Open de Espana.

Add comment May 1st, 2009