Stenson triumphs at Royal Troon

Henrik Stenson

#TeamCallaway and XR 16 dominated the final day of The Open at Royal Troon with Staff Professionals, Henrik Stenson and Phil Mickelson, thrilling crowds with a titanic head-to-head battle, which saw the ‘Iceman’ Swede catch fire on the Ayrshire coast, with a string of birdies to win by three.

Not since the legendary ‘Duel in the Sun’ in 1977, between Jack Nicklaus and Tom Watson at Turnberry, has The Open seen such fireworks as the runaway all-Callaway battle unfolded.

Mickelson, using a full bag of Callaway and Odyssey equipment, threw everything at fellow staffer Stenson in the final round, shooting four birdies and an eagle in a stunning 65, but there was no stopping Scandinavia’s first male Major winner.

Henrik’s final round 63 – including 10 birdies that equalled the lowest final round score in Major history – underlined an incredible 2016 season so far for #TeamCallaway and XR 16, with Major wins at The Open, The Masters (Danny Willett) and the ANA Inspiration on the LPGA Tour (Lydia Ko).

Alongside his XR 16 Driver, Henrik (40) – Sweden’s most successful golfer of all time – also used his Legacy Black Irons with pinpoint efficiency over all four days, topping the ‘greens in regulation’ stats for the week, hitting 56 of 72 greens.

In the final round, his Odyssey White Hot XG #7H Putter was also on fire, the Swede needing only 27 putts to claim the coveted title.

A jubilant Henrik said: “Wow, this will take a little while to sink in. I want to thank Phil for a fantastic battle. I want to thank my wife, my family, my team for all their hard work to make this possible.  I lost a dear friend to cancer earlier this week, and I feel he’s been with me all week. Mike, this one is for you.”

Neil Howie, Managing Director and President of Callaway Golf EMEA, added: “What an incredible Major for Team Callaway – seeing our Staff Professionals going head-to-head in the final group of golf’s oldest Major was something very special. Huge congratulations to Henrik, sincere commiserations to Phil, but if you shoot 63 on the final day of The Open and finished on a record -20, you deserve a Claret Jug!”

What’s in the Bag: Henrik Stenson
Driver: Callaway XR 16 Driver 9°, Oban Tour Kiyoshi 60x shaft
Fairway Wood: Callaway Diablo Octane Tour 13°, Grafalloy Blue X shaft
Irons: Callaway Legacy Black (2-PW), Nippon Modus 120x shafts
Wedges: Callaway Mack Daddy 3 Milled (52° and 58°), Nippon Modus 120x shafts
Putter: Odyssey White Hot XG #7H

Equipment Insight:
Henrik first put the XR 16 Driver in play back in January, and he used it to win the BMW International Open last month. When he tested it on Trackman, he found that the ball speed was much faster and the spin dispersion was much tighter for him than his previous ‘gamer’.

His driver has a 45in shaft, has a shade of fade bias in the head and is set to the Standard loft adjustability.

His Legacy Black Irons and White Hot XG #7 Putter have been mainstays in his bag, and he first put Mack Daddy 3 Milled Wedges in play last year.

What’s in the Bag: Phil Mickelson
Driver: XR 16 Sub Zero Driver (8.5°), Fubuki J 60x shaft
Fairway Wood: XR 16 Pro (14°), Fubuki K 70 Prototype shaft
Irons: Callaway X Forged ’13 (2), Callaway X Forged ’13 (4-PW), KBS Tour V 125 shafts
Wedges: Mack Daddy PM Grind Wedges (54°, 60° and 64°), KBS Tour V 125 shafts
Putter: Odyssey Versa #9 (White/Black/White)
Ball: Callaway Chrome Soft

Equipment Insight:
Phil has played the XR 16 Sub Zero Driver since the beginning of the year. He likes the ability to produce low spin and still launch high, a combination that leads to more distance for him. Additionally, the CG bias allows him to control his shot shape nicely and features weight ports to help control spin rate.

He has been playing a Chrome Soft Golf Ball this year too, which he likes because of its soft feel, the low spin off the driver, and how easy it is to control his irons.

Mickelson was gaming the same black shafted putter model that he used to win the 2013 Open.

For further information about the complete Callaway and Odyssey product ranges visit www.callawaygolf.comand www.odysseygolf.com