“It wasn't an enjoyable experience, but it's done."

This is how Jordan Spieth (Pro V1x) described having to return the Claret Jug this week, a first, grudging step that kicked off the 147th Open Championship. With a sly smile, though, he was quick to add, "Hopefully it's only out of my possession for a week.”

To retain the title he won last year at Royal Birkdale, Jordan will have to navigate one of the most difficult links courses in golf, Carnoustie Golf Links on the east coast of Scotland. Golf has been played at Carnoustie since the early 16th century. For the championship, the course will measure 7,404 yards and play to a par of 71.

The most northerly course on the Open rota, Carnoustie is long and narrow with punishing bunkering. And this week, conditions are extremely firm and fast, bringing out-of-bounds into play as well as the many burns that meander throughout the layout. And if the wind kicks up off the North Sea, an already demanding test will only become more difficult – and more suspenseful.

So this weekend, join us for a leisurely breakfast, sit back and enjoy the third major of the year.

And best of luck to all of #TeamTitleist this week!

• • •

TITLEIST BY THE NUMBERS

This week Titleist is once again the overwhelming golf ball choice at golf's oldest major, with 109 players trusting a Titleist Pro V1 or Pro V1x golf ball, more than six times the nearest competitor with 18 and more than all competitors combined. 

Titleist was also the top choice among players in the irons category with 43 sets in play. Vokey Design Wedges also topped the approach, sand and lob wedge (187) category and Scotty Cameron putters were the top choice among players with 57 in play. 

Thank you to all of the players, past and present, who have made us the #1 golf ball at the Open Championship and since records have been kept. And a very special thank you to every golfer who tees up a Titleist when they play. It’s you who makes us the #1 ball in golf, and for that, we are forever grateful.

•••

A little more than a month after their official PGA Tour launch, the momentum continues to roll at The 147th Open Championship for new Titleist TS drivers and fairways. Of the 38 players gaming a Titleist driver at Carnoustie, 23 are playing a new TS model (TS2: 5 | TS3: 18).

To date, between the PGA Tour and the European Tour, 92 different players have put a new Titleist TS driver in play. During that same time, 42 different players have put a TS fairway metal in play. Overall, 102 different players have put a TS metal in play (139 total clubs).  Click here for a full listing.

And click here to sign up for alerts on the latest TS driver and fairway metal news and updates. 

#TeamTitleist