Estoril Open de Portugal

June 11th, 2010

The Robert Trent Jones Jr designed Penha Longa Golf Club plays host to this week’s European Tour event, the Estoril Open de Portugal. The course is located on the outskirts of Lisbon and welcomes back the tournament for the first time since 1995. The past two years have seen the event played at the nearby Oitavos Dunes where Titleist Ambassador Michael Hoey claimed a maiden European Tour victory 12 months ago.

The par 72 layout borders the famous Estoril race circuit which, up until 1997, played host to the F1 Portugese Grand Prix. As the players move into the back nine holes there is a clear view of the circuit and the sound of race tuned engines can be heard thundering around the track throughout the day. The players assembled for the Estoril Open de Portugal were all looking to get themselves “race tuned” for the start of the event and the practice ground at Penha Longa was the usual hive of activity in the lead-up to the opening round, particularly on the Wednesday as players arrived from having played 36-holes of Open Championship qualifying at Sunningdale on the Monday. With just 10 spots available for the trip to the home of golf in July the competition at Sunningdale was fierce and many that flew onto Portugal took a well earned rest on the Tuesday before the event to recharge their batteries.

Click here to view the slideshow

One of the players to fly into Penha Longa having claimed one of the 10 spots available at the Open Championship was Titleist Ambassador Tano Goya. In doing so Tano has fulfilled a childhood dream of playing in the Open Championship and was understandably excited by the prospect. The young Argentinean is blessed with a truly great golf swing and, having played just 40 European Tour events to date, has already claimed a maiden victory. We’d like to congratulate Tano on realising his Open Championship dream and wish him good luck as he heads to the famous Old Course at St Andrews.

Tano qualified for the 139th Open Championship using a full bag of Titleist Equipment:

Tano Goya

Titleist Pro V1x
Titleist 909D2 8.5°
Titleist 909F2 13.5°
Titleist 909H 19°
Titleist CB #4 & #5 Iron
Titleist MB #6-PW
Titleist Vokey Spin Milled 52°
Titleist Vokey Spin Milled 56°
Titleist Vokey Spin Milled 60°
Scotty Cameron Studio Select Newport (Tour Black Finish)

One of the players working hard on his game prior to the event in Lisbon was Titleist Ambassador Mark Haastrup. The Dane was working on all parts of his game but there was a noticeable emphasis on his short game this week. Aside from working on his short game Mark was keen to try out some new short game tools and, as you’ll see from this week’s slideshow, had a variety of Scotty Cameron putter options to try out on the putting green. In addition, Mark was also in need of some new wedges as the grooves on his existing set are beginning to look worn. Scoring at all levels of the game is founded on short game success so it’s essential for Tour players to keep their wedge grooves in pristine condition. With that said, most players replace their wedges every three to six months. A trio of wedges were assembled for Mark to the following specification:

Mark Haastrup

Model: Tour Chrome Spin Milled C-C
Loft / Bounce: 248.06, 254.10 & 258.08
Shafts: Project X 6.5 (248.06), Dynamic Gold S400 (254.10 & 258.08)
Length: 248.06 @ Standard, 254.10 @ +1/2”, 258.08 @ Standard.
Lie: 3° Upright
Grips: Lamkin Crossline .580 Round (+1/32”)
Swingweight: 248.06 @ D3, 254.10 & 258.08 @ D5

The new short-game tools seem to be working well for Mark. At the time of writing, midway through his second round, he is well positioned as he races for the Open de Portugal title currently lying in ninth place at eight under par.

The European Tour heads to France next week for the AA Saint-Omer Open but the eyes of the golfing world will be firmly fixed on the majesty of Pebble Beach Golf Links for the U.S Open Championship. Pebble Beach is set-up to offer the sternest of challenges to the world’s best players and it promises to test their talent and mental fortitude to the absolute limit. I’m sure we’ll all take great enjoyment from watching the trials and tribulations of the players as they compete for one of the biggest prizes in golf.

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