Hey Team Titleist!
As we continue right into the heart of the 2023 PGA TOUR schedule, THE PLAYERS Championship is upon us and there’s no better time than the present to take you inside the ropes to see how Team Titleist has been preparing at TPC Sawgrass.
If the early action is any predictor of what the future holds... this weekend is going to be an exciting one. If you haven't already seen it, Titleist Brand Ambassador Hayden Buckley got things started at the 17th during the first round with the tournament’s first Ace of the day, followed quickly by a birdie on 18. He’s the only player in the history of the tournament to do this - playing the final two holes of TPC Sawgrass in just four shots.
Buckley, who games the NEW Pro V1, is just one of the overwhelming majority of players who will be teeing up a Pro V1 or Pro V1x model this week at TPC Sawgrass.
The Tour Truck was plenty busy this week as players looked to fine-tune their equipment, highlighted by a visit from Justin Thomas’ caddie Jim ‘Bones’ Mackay, with a full regrip on the menu for Thomas’ bag.
Thomas, winner of THE PLAYERS Championship in 2021, leads the PGA TOUR leader this season in strokes gained around the green per round and has the best scoring average of any player at The Players since 2012. Take a look at JT’s full setup this week as he looks to earn his second title at TPC Sawgrass.
After that, we followed JT to his Tuesday practice round where he joined #TeamTitleist’s own Max Homa, Jordan Spieth and Tom Kim for a little friendly match.
All four will be teeing up a NEW TSR Driver this week in addition to the majority of the field – with TSR as the most played driver at THE PLAYERS and this season on the PGA TOUR.
Max Homa – NEW TSR3 10.0 driver | Tensei 1K Black 65 TX
Tom Kim – NEW TSR3 9.0 driver | Fujikura Atmos Black 6 X
Justin Thomas – NEW TSR3 10.0 driver | Mitsubishi Diamana ZF 60 TX-Flex
Jordan Spieth – NEW TSR2 10.0 driver | Fujikura Ventus Blue 6 X
Speaking of Max Homa, he has had a scorching hot start to the 2022/2023 season. Two victories, five top five finishes, and in designated events Homa is an eye popping 45 under par, while ranking second on the PGA TOUR this season in strokes gained total per round. Take a look at what he’s gaming this week here, including his NEW Pro V1 that he moved into the same week that he won the Farmers Insurance Open.
Titleist Tour Rep for Vokey Design Wedges Aaron Dill has been grinding (literally) over the past weeks in preparation of THE PLAYERS.
With fast and firm conditions this week at TPC Sawgrass, players are opting for T and low bounce K grinds in their lob wedges, both ideal for a shallow angle of attack from tight lies. Among those trusting a T grind this week include Jordan Spieth, Tom Kim, Will Zalatoris, and Cameron Young, with players such as Justin Thomas, Tyler Duncan, and both of last week's PGA TOUR champions gaming a low bounce K.
Making his PLAYERS Championship debut is Tom Kim, who is on the hunt for his third career PGA TOUR victory. We caught up with him earlier in the week to take an up-close look at his Scotty Cameron TourType Timeless GSS tour prototype.
Gaming a mallet this week, Max Homa is trusting a Phantom X 5.5 tour prototype putter on the Bermudagrass of the Players Stadium Course, with Justin Thomas in a Phantom X 5 Knuckle Neck tour prototype.
The buzz around TPC Sawgrass was palpable as players were setting their sights on adding some gold to their trophy case this week. Check out some of the posts below (ICYMI!) and make sure to follow our social channels this week to stay up to date on all things Team Titleist at THE PLAYERS.