May 5, 2010; Phoenix, Arizona: Four months into the PGA Tour season, PING® drivers are in the hands of the leaders in driving distance, driving accuracy and total driving according to PGA Tour Statistics through May 5, the company reported today.
PING pros Bubba Watson and Heath Slocum lead the distance and accuracy categories, respectively, using the G15® driver. Hunter Mahan, who plays the Rapture V2® driver, tops the Total Driving category. Angel Cabrera ranks second in driving distance with an i15® driver.
“The success of our PGA Tour staff off the tee is a testament to the technology of our drivers,” said Chance Cozby, PING’s Director of Tour Player Relations. “They’re among the best players in the world and they rely on our engineering team to provide them the highest performing product available. Getting the right driver in their hands is our job out on Tour. So far this year their performance speaks for itself based on the current statistics.”
Watson averages 306 yards off the tee – 3.2 yards more than Cabrera – with his 7.5 degree, left-handed G15. His average ball speed (182.06 mph) and clubhead speed (122.97 mph) are also the highest on the PGA Tour to date. His longest drive of the year is 416 yards at the Sony Open.
“I enjoy the challenge of being the longest driver on the PGA Tour,” said Watson, who led the PGA Tour’s driving distance stat for three straight years (2006 – 2008). “PING’s engineers and club techs build me drivers that optimize my launch conditions. I just take it from there and hit it as far as I can. Right now, it’s working pretty well.”
Slocum was the first to win with the G15 driver on the PGA Tour last year when he captured The Barclays. He combines a 7.5 degree G15 head with an Aldila RIP 70x shaft to find nearly 75% of the fairways. Mahan’s position atop the Total Driving stat, which combines a player’s distance and accuracy ranks, is indicative of the consistent play that led to his win earlier this year at the Waste Management Open.
“With the technology available today to custom fit our players, we’re able to fine tune their clubs to match any conditions,” added Cozby. “When a missed fairway or two can mean the difference between playing the weekend or spending it at home, players want to cover all their bases.”
Source: PGA Tour Statistics through May 5, 2010.
Contact:
Pete Samuels
(602) 687-5487
