Madrid Masters
Following last week’s pilgrimage to the home of golf the European Tour is back in sunnier climes this week at the Madrid Masters held at Centro Nacional de Golf on the city limits of the Spanish capital.
With the 2009 season nearing its conclusion and just seven events remaining before the season ending Dubai World Championship the attention of many players is firmly on securing their playing privileges on the 2010 season. This week’s blog will focus on three of the Titleist Ambassadors that are currently fighting for their place on the Tour.
The first player under the microscope is young Spaniard Carlos Del Moral. Carlos will be looking for home support to spur him onto a strong finish as he looks to secure his card in his rookie season on the European Tour. Del Moral has posted some strong finishes during the season including a stretch of five top twenty finishes in six events starting at the Open de Andalucia back in March. Carlos clearly enjoys playing on his native soil and will be looking to repeat his performance at last year’s event where, after qualifying through his national order of merit, he placed seventh. Another strong finish could have a huge impact on his playing rights for 2010 and take him inside the magic 115 on the Race to Dubai standings.
Spaniard Carlos Del Moral is one player looking for a strong finish to help secure his Tour card for 2010.
Carlos has chosen this week to put a new set of Titleist irons in play as he looks for the competitive edge that could see him secure his Tour card. Carlos has been testing the new Titleist CB in recent weeks and following successful range sessions has opted to put them in the bag for tournament play. Things seem to have started promisingly for Carlos with back-to-back rounds of 69 (-3) putting him in a tie for 23rd at the time of writing.
Carlos Del Moral
Model: Titleist CB
Composition: 3-PW
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold Lite X100
Length: Std (#6 iron @ 37.5″)
Lie: 2° Upright (#6 iron @ 64.5°)
Loft: 2° Strong (#6 iron @ 29°)
Grips: Golf Pride V55 Cord Round (Std)
Swingweight: D3
A look at Carlos Del Moral's new Titleist CB irons.
Englishman Robert Dinwiddie is another player in need of a strong finish to the season if he wants to secure his 2010 playing rights. Following an excellent rookie season in 2008 which saw him finish 72nd on the European Tour Order of Merit Robert suffered an early season injury setback in 2009 and hasn’t quite managed to hit the same heights. Robert is currently 149th in the Race to Dubai standings but a strong finish in Madrid this week would go a long way to putting him inside the magic 115.
Like Carlos, Robert has opted for a change to his equipment this week with two new 909 metals going in the bag for the event in Madrid. Robert has made the switch to a Mitsubishi Diamana Blue shaft in both driver and fairway which features a slightly softer tip versus his previous specification and helps him turn the ball over from right to left with greater ease. The new metals certainly seem to be working well as Robert is off to a fine start, sitting tied with Carlos Del Moral at six under after the opening two rounds.
Robert Dinwiddie
Model: 909D3
Loft: 8.5°
Shaft: Mitsubishi Rayon Diamana Blue 73 X-Flex
Length: 45″
Grip: Lamkin Crossline Cord .580 Round (+1/32″)
Swingweight: D4
Model: 909F3
Loft: 15°
Shaft: Mitsubishi Rayon Diamana Blue 83 X-Flex
Length: 43″
Grip: Lamkin Crossline Cord .580 Round (+1/32″)
Swingweight: D3
The final Titleist Ambassador on our radar this week is another Englishman; Paul Waring. Paul is, as they say, “right on the bubble” currently lying exactly 115th on the Race to Dubai standings and having endured a lengthy spell on the sidelines due to a wrist injury picked up at the Scottish Open is looking to post some solid late season finishes and consolidate his position on Tour. Unfortunately, Paul’s streak of bad luck continued this week when his bag went missing. With no Titleist Tour Support Vehicle in attendance in Madrid there was no possibility of getting a replacement set for Paul and his chances of playing the event were in some doubt. Fortunately his club did finally arrive on Wednesday evening and Paul has been able to compete. We’re pleased to report that the lack of practice doesn’t seem to have had to adverse an effect and Paul has made a strong start, again, posting a two-round total of six under.
We wish Carlos, Robert and Paul all the very best for the coming weekend in Madrid and for the remaining events this season. Each of the guys undoubtedly has the talent so we’re hopeful that all three can find their form when it matters and secure their card for 2010.
A short hop to the west awaits the team next week as we head to Vilamoura for the Portugal Masters. It’s always nice to spend some time in the Algarve and fingers crossed for some late season sun!!! The blog will be back as usual same time next week.
Add comment October 9th, 2009
