Novi, MI – The 153rd Open Championship returns to the breathtaking coast of Northern Ireland and the dramatic, rugged links design at Royal Portrush Golf Club. With winds blowing from every direction, Mother Nature may provide the greatest volatility beyond the undulating fairways, uneven lies, and small elevated greens of the championship course, the Dunluce Links, as players tee off on Thursday in golf’s oldest and most prestigious major vying for the Claret Jug and the victorious title, Champion Golfer of the Year.
Among the field will be four 2Thumb putting grip player ambassadors including Englishman and PGA Tour winner Matt Wallace. Wallace, who plays out of Wentworth Golf Club, had a standout 2024 season on the DP World Tour. He won the 2024 Omega European Masters and had a career high 14th place finish in the Race to Dubai, the DP World’s version of the FedEx Cup. In 2023, Wallace claimed his first PGA Tour victory at the Corales Puntacana Championship in the Dominican Republic.
Wallace uses 2THUMB’s Snug Tour 27 putting grip. He interlocks his fingers, so his palms are facing opposing each other, and as he grips the putter, he places his thumbs alongside one another. Known as the prayer grip, it allows Wallace’s shoulders to hang level, which promotes a pendulum putting motion. It also creates a triangle between his shoulders and hands, which makes it easier to rock back and forth.
Coming off a T13 at the 2025 Scottish Open last week is 31-year-old, 2Thumb South African player and five-time winner on the European Tour. He will compete at Royal Portrush along with fellow 28-year-old countryman and 2Thumb player, who both tied for 12th in the 2025 U.S. Open at Oakmont Golf Club. Finally, a fourth 2Thumb player, a 34-year-old Englishman with three international wins, will look to conquer the tricky green complexes and Calamity Corner at Royal Portrush. All four 2Thumb players are looking to win their first major championship.
The Open Championship and the DP World Tour are known for having slower greens with speeds measuring 10 ½ – 11 ft. on the stimpmeter compared to 12-14 ft. on the PGA TOUR. Royal Portrush greens are 75% fescue which can become even slower with rainy conditions giving a potential edge to the international players who are more comfortable on slower greens.
2Thumb putting grips are approved by the USGA and R&A. They are an incredibly versatile grip that accommodates a variety of putting grip styles, from Conventional, Claw, Left hand low, Prayer etc.
For more information, go to www.usa.twothumbgrip.com. Photo: AP/Kamran Jebreili
About 2THUMB GRIPS
2THUMB was founded in the U.K. in 2004 and has had great success on the DP World and PGA Tours. Former Super Stroke owner, Darin Dingman, launched 2THUMB Grips North America in 2022 and oversees product design, marketing, operations, and sales. 2THUMB grips are designed with Dimax technology for exceptional feel and come in six models. Most models offer different cross-section dimensions and length options bringing the total to 18 available grips.
For media requests or samples: please contact “Holly G” Geoghegan, Golf Marketing Services, holly@golfmarketinginc.com, 321-303-9684.
