Troy Matteson Wins Frys.com Open in Playoff Duel with Fellow Titleist Brand Ambassador Rickie Fowler; 20 Titleist Golf Ball Loyalists Finish in Top 25 on Nationwide Tour. Earn 2010 PGA TOUR Cards.
Fairhaven, MA (October 28, 2009) – Troy Matteson birdied the second hole of a sudden-death three-way playoff that included fellow Titleist Brand Ambassador Rickie Fowler, to win the Frys.com Open at Grayhawk GC in Scottsdale, AZ. The players tied in regulation at 18-under par 262. After the trio parred the first extra hole, Matteson shaped his 190-yard approach shot to within three feet on the 464-yard, par-4 17th. The 29-year old rolled in the putt to secure his second career PGA TOUR title. Matteson entered the final round with a three-stroke lead following consecutive 61s on Friday and Saturday – a PGA TOUR record for the lowest score in consecutive rounds. His first tour victory came as a rookie in 2006, when he won the Frys.com Open in Las Vegas, now called the Justin Timberlake Shriners Hospitals for Children Open.
The 20-year old Fowler, who turned professional following an undefeated performance at the Walker Cup last month, fired a final round six-under 64 to earn the playoff berth. A two-time All-American at Oklahoma State, Fowler earned a spot in the Frys.com Open following a T-7 finish in Las Vegas. His T-2 finish this week secured his position at the Viking Classic that begins tomorrow in Mississippi. A top 10 finish in Mississippi may be enough to secure his PGA TOUR card for 2010. If not, he has already earned an exemption into the final stage of Q-School.
What’s in Troy Matteson’s Bag?: Pro V1 golf ball, 909D2 driver (8.5), ZB irons (2-7), ZM irons (8-9), Vokey Design pitching wedge (48), Spin Milled sand (54) and lob (60) wedges.
What’s in Rickie Fowler’s Bag?: Pro V1x golf ball, 909D2 driver (7.5), 585H utility metal (17.0), New MB irons (4-9), Vokey Design pitching (48) and sand (54) wedges, Spin Milled lob (59) wedge, Scotty Cameron prototype putter.
The Eagle Has Landed: Fowler led the field in eagles with four – one each day. In fact, he aced the par 3 5th hole during the final round. Fowler also finished 4th in Driving Distance (307 yards), T-6 in Putts Per Greens in Regulation (1.627) and T-10 in Greens in Regulation (81.9%).
Matt’s Stats: Matteson, also playing the Titleist 909D2 driver, was just behind Fowler in Driving Distance, ranking T-5 at 306.9 yards. He also ranked T-6 in Greens in Regulation at 83.3% with his Titleist irons and Vokey Design wedges.
Top Choice: Titleist was the top golf ball choice among players at the Frys.com Open with 94, compared to 17 for the nearest competitor. In fact, Matteson’s win marks the 21st for Titleist golf ball players on the 2009 PGA TOUR, more than twice the nearest competitor with 9. Titleist was also first in iron sets (42), wedges (127) and putters (54) and second in drivers (37).
NATIONWIDE TOUR: The next generation of PGA TOUR players emerged from the season-ending Nationwide Tour Championship and 20 of the 25 graduates relied upon Titleist golf balls for their success. Titleist Brand Ambassador Michael Sim (Pro V1x, 905R driver, 909F2 fairway metal, 909H hybrid, AP2 irons, Vokey Design Spin Milled wedges, Scotty Cameron Newport Squareback putter), a three-time winner on the 2009 Nationwide Tour, finished second at the event but extended his record-setting earnings total to $644,142, nearly $235,000 more than the runner-up.
Josh Teater (Pro V1x, Vokey Design wedges) and Steve Wheatcroft (Pro V1x, Vokey Design wedges, Scotty Cameron Newport Square putter) tied for third at 13-under 275. Wheatcroft was one of only two players in the TOUR Championship to advance into the top 25, jumping from 31st to 20th to earn his card. Teater finished 7th on the final money list.
Titleist was the top golf ball choice among players at the Nationwide Tour Championship with 39, compared to 11 for the nearest competitor in the limited 58-player field. Titleist was also first in iron sets (15), wedges (51) and putters (20). Of the 13 players who finished tied for 12th place or better at the event, 12 trusted a Titleist golf ball for their success.
Sim topped the list of 20 Titleist players earning their 2010 PGA TOUR cards, which included each of the top nine money leaders and 12 of the top 13. Titleist golf ball loyalists include:
1. Michael Sim $644,142; 2. Chad Collins $415,114; 3. Blake Adams $399,749; 4. Derek Lamely $374,998; 5. Tom Gillis $364,529; 6. Chris Tidland $354,510; 7. Josh Teater $326,438; 8. Cameron Percy $320,715; 9. Roger Tambellini $307,482; 11. Justin Bolli $284,537; 12. Garrett Willis $269,856; 15. Jerod Turner $237,993; 16. Alex Prugh $233,325; 17. Jeff Gove $221,231; 19. Chris Baryla $217,680; 20. Steve Wheatcroft $213,165; 22 Craig Bowden $198,208; 23. Vance Veazey $193,243; 24. Mathias Gronberg $191,743; 25. Fran Quinn $191,467.
AUSTRALASIAN: Rookie Michael Curtain (Pro V1x) captured the John Hughes Geely WA Open, posting a final round 5-under 67 for his first Australian PGA Tour victory. Curtain’s 16-under 272 total was four shots clear of his nearest competitor, a three-time champion. Adam Blyth (Pro V1x), Steven Jones (Pro V1x) and Anthony Brown (Pro V1x) were among four players who tied for third place. The win grants the 30-year-old Curtain entry into the Australian Masters and the Australian Open. A total of 124 players in the field, or 80 percent, relied upon Titleist golf balls at the event.
WORLDWIDE WIN COUNT: Across the worldwide professional tours, Titleist golf ball players have accumulated 138 victories, more than five times its nearest competitor with 25, and more than all other golf balls combined.
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