By Robbie McCarthy, Store Manager at Golf Superstore
For the final time this year the world’s best will compete for Major glory at Royal St George’s Golf Club for the 149th Open Championship. Here, I’m going to take a look at some of the favourites to lift the Claret Jug and what factors will be so important in conquering the stunning links layout.
Viktor Hovland
The last three Majors have thrown up a couple of surprises and my tip to be the surprise package in Sandwich is Norwegian star Viktor Hovland, who’s strong swashbuckling game could be the key to conquering Royal St George’s. Consistency of controlling the ball has been vital in the past to securing golf’s oldest championship and it will be no different this year over the expansive links course.
Driver: Ping G425 LST, 9 degrees at 7.75, Project X HZURDUS Black 6.5 shaft
Fairway: TaylorMade SIM, 15 degrees with Mitsubishi Tensei Blue AV 85 TX shaft
Hybrid: Ping G425
Utility: Callaway X Forged UT, 21 degrees with Graphite Design Tour AD-DI Hybrid 85X shaft
Irons: Ping iBlade (4-6), Ping i59 Prototypes (7-PW) all with KBS Tour 120 X shafts
Wedges: Ping Glide Forged (50, 56 bent to 55), Titleist Vokey WedgeWorks (60 degrees) all with KBS Tour-V 130 X shafts
Putter: Ping PLD Prototype ‘Hovi’
Ball: Titleist Pro V1
Brooks Koepka
Could it be Brooks Koepka’s time to add to his Major collection with an Open triumph? He’s been so consistent over the last couple of months and has made no secret that he lives for the Majors. He has finished inside the top ten of all three of them this year, which included a runner-up finish at the PGA Championship where he pushed Phil Mickelson all the way in his historic triumph. Brooks possesses the power and the talent to control his ball flight and his strength enables him to play very well in crosswinds.
Driver: TaylorMade SIM2 (10.5 degrees) with Mitsubishi Diamana D+ 70 TX shaft
3 wood: TaylorMade M2 Tour HL (16.5 degrees), Mitsubishi Diamana D+ 80 TX shaft
3 iron: Nike Vapor Fly Pro, Fujikura Pro Tour Spec 95 X shaft
Irons: Srixon ZX7 (4-PW) all with True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue X100 shafts
Wedges: Titleist Vokey SM8 52 and 56, and Titleist Vokey SM5 TVD 60, True Temper Dynamic Gold S400 shafts
Putter: Scotty Cameron Teryllium Tour Newport 2
Ball: Titleist Pro V1x
Jordan Spieth
Although I like the look of both Viktor and Brooks, I’m going to go with Jordan Spieth as the man to beat as he bids to win for the second time following his memorable triumph in 2017. Jordan’s game has seen a massive improvement thanks to some swing changes that have really improved his driving consistency using the new Titleist TSi 3. His accuracy off the tee coupled with the magic of his Scotty Cameron wand and amazing short game has driven Spieth back to where he belongs at the top of the game. The American dropped as low as 92nd in the World Ranking last year but has raced back up into the top 25 with a great run of form including his first win since that Open victory.
Driver: Titleist TSi3 (10.5 degrees at 9.75 D1 SureFit setting) with Fujikura Ventus Blue 6 X shaft
Fairway Wood: Titleist TS2 (15 degrees) with Fujikura Ventus Blue 7 X shaft
Hybrid: Titleist 818 H2 (21 degrees) with Graphite Design Tour AD DI-95X Hybrid
Utility Iron: Titleist U500 (4), True Temper Project X 6.5
Irons (4-9): Titleist T100, True Temper Project X 6.5
Wedges: Titleist Vokey Design SM8 (46-08F, 52-08F, 56-10S), Vokey Proto (60T) all with True Temper Project X 6.0 shafts
Putter: Scotty Cameron Circle T 009 with SuperStroke S-Tech grip
Ball: Titleist Pro V1x
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Keep an eye out for our Instagram video to get your hands on three packs of limited Open Championship Titleist ProV1 balls simply by telling us who you think will lift the Claret Jug.
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