Hey Team Titleist,
It’s time again for the PGA TOUR’s signature event, THE PLAYERS Championship. TPC Sawgrass plays host on the layout that made Pete Dye famous, the par-72, 7,189-yard Stadium Course. Scoring conditions have been ideal as the year’s strongest field of players gears up for the challenge of claiming the TOUR’s unofficial 5th Major.
One player who has bolted out of the gates in Ponte Vedra is Titleist Brand Ambassador Chesson Hadley (Pro V1x), who recorded six birdies and an eagle en route to a 6-under-par 66 on Thursday. He followed that with a 3-under-par 69 on Friday to claim a share of the lead (at the time of this writing) with fellow Titleist Brand Ambassador Patrick Cantlay. After Round 1, Hadley remarked that he fell into a groove early in his opening round, a condition he describes as a blackout.
“A blackout,” Hadley explained, “is when you're out there on the course and you just get in the zone and you just let it take over. I entered the blackout mode today probably on 4. I hit a great 3-wood and I just got in the zone. I hit a great wedge and then made that and then made a mile putt on 5 and hit a great shot on 6. Any time that you get out there and you just kind of let the momentum of your good play take over, it's a good spot to be.”
The Stadium Course can be visually intimidating for many players, but Chesson embraces the quirks of the layout.
“I think this place is awesome, it sets up well for me. Maybe that's why this tournament is so great is because of the course. Anybody can win. It doesn't necessarily favor one player or the other. Short hitters have won and so have long hitters. Obviously the PGA TOUR, this is our major and I just like seeing my name on top of that leaderboard. It makes me feel good.”
Let’s take a look at the equipment that Chesson will be relying on as the action heats up this weekend:
Golf Ball: Pro V1x
Driver: 917D3 (10.5º)
Fairway: 917F2 (16.5º)
Irons: 718 T-MB (3, 4) and 718 MB (5-9)
Wedges: Vokey Design SM7 pitching (48.10 F grind), gap (52.12 F grind), sand (56.08 M grind) and lob (60.08 M grind)
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