Titleist Brand Ambassador Jason Dufner (Pro V1x) claimed his fifth career PGA TOUR title on Sunday, winning the weather-delayed Memorial Tournament by three shots.
Dufner, who established a new Memorial 36-hole scoring record after firing consecutive 65’s, struggled at Muirfield Village GC on Saturday and entered the final round four shots off the 54-hole lead established by Titleist golf ball loyalist Daniel Summerhays (Pro V1x).
In the final round, however, Dufner staged a late charge, making four back-nine birdies and rallying to become just the second player from Ohio to win the prestigious event (tournament founder and host, Jack Nicklaus being the first).
“Yeah, yesterday was obviously disappointing for me”, Dufner said, “especially how the first two days went. But I was able to get past it and focus on today. The nice thing about playing so well the first two days is I could kind of afford to have that day. Not the day I wanted, but could still afford to have that day and still be in contention come Sunday.”
Dufner sealed the win with a dramatic 30-foot par putt on No. 18, good for a 4-under-par 68 and a 13-under-par 275 victory total.
He finished three shots clear of two players, including Titleist golf ball loyalist Rickie Fowler (Pro V1).
Dufner’s fellow Titleist Brand Ambassador Justin Thomas (Pro V1x) tied for 4th place.
In fact, Dufner topped a leaderboard that included nine Titleist golf ball loyalists among the 12 players who finished in the top 10 and ties.
For the week, Dufner topped the rankings in Greens in Regulation (75%), and tied for 7th in Driving Accuracy (73%) and Putts Per GIR (1.667).
“I think I've always been a fighter, especially since I've turned professional,” Dufner reflected. “Doing this hasn't come easy for me. There's been a lot of struggles and a lot of setbacks. I didn't come straight out of college and play the PGA Tour. It took me almost ten years to get out here. Took me another two after that to win and actually get to where I felt comfortable.
So I always take a lot of pride in kind of being a fighter, trying to come back. I think that's just a good attribute. I think a lot of golfers have that in them.”
Congratulations, Jason!
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Let's take a closer look at the equipment that Jason Dufner, Rickie Fowler and Justin Thomas trusted this week at The Memorial Tournament.
Jason Dufner (Winner)
Golf Ball: Titleist Pro V1x
Driver: Titleist 917D2 (10.5°)
Fairway: Titleist 915F (21°)
Irons: Titleist 716 AP2 (4-PW)
Wedges: Vokey Design SM6 gap (52.12 F grind), sand (56.14 F grind) and lob (60.12 K grind)
Putter: Scotty Cameron Futura 5S
Rickie Fowler (T2):
Golf Ball: Titleist Pro V1
Justin Thomas (T4):
Golf Ball: Titleist Pro V1x
Driver: 917D2 (8.5°)
Fairway: 917F2 (15°), 915Fd (18°)
Irons: 716 CB (4) and 716 MB (5-PW)
Wedges: Vokey Design SM6 52.12 F Grind gap wedge, 56.14 F Grind sand wedge, 60.10 K Grind lob wedge
Putter: Scotty Cameron Futura X5
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TITLEIST BY THE NUMBERS
Titleist was the overwhelming golf ball choice at the 2017 Memorial Tournament, where 78 players relied on a Titleist Pro V1 or Pro V1x golf ball, six times the nearest competitor with 13 and more than all competitors combined.
Titleist was also the top choice among players in the hybrids category (18) as well as the irons category with 30 sets in play.
Vokey Design Wedges also topped the approach, sand and lob wedge (135) category and Scotty Cameron putters were the top choice among players with 50 putters in play.
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#TeamTitleist