[Winners Club] Pendris 'Finished with Ping G430'

First Career Win at The CJ Cup Byron Nelson
Dramatic Bunker Birdie Comeback on Final Day 18th Hole
Powerful Long Drives with Average Distance of 318.50 Yards
Equipped with Ping G430 LST 9-Degree Driver

He finished with a powerful long drive.

Taylor Pendrith is teeing off at the 2nd hole of the 4th round of the CJ Cup Byron Nelson. [McKinney (USA) = AP·Yonhap News] Photo by AP

This is the story of Taylor Pendrith (Canada). On the 5th (local time), he won the CJ Cup Byron Nelson, a PGA Tour event held at TPC Craig Ranch (par 71, 7,414 yards) in McKinney, Texas, USA, by one stroke. It was his first victory since joining the tour in 2022. The winner's prize money was $1.71 million (approximately 2.3 billion KRW).

The fate was decided on the final 18th hole (par 5). Pendrith grabbed his driver and sent his tee shot 322 yards. He easily succeeded in reaching the green in two shots and made a birdie. Meanwhile, Ben Kohles (USA), who was leading by one stroke, made an approach mistake on this hole, losing one stroke and dropping to second place. His tee shot reached only 292 yards, and he eventually sent his second shot into the rough near the green, lowering his head.

Pendrith used the Ping G430 LST 9-degree driver in this tournament. The key feature of this product is the adoption of a carbon composite "Carbon Fly Crown" instead of titanium. It reduces weight to enhance the driver's performance. The center of gravity is lowered to reduce spin and increase distance. A movable tungsten weight was added to the back of the club head, providing the power to create various shot shapes. Additionally, the crown turbulators increase swing speed and ball speed, making it a "low launch, low spin driver." Ping boasted, "Compared to the previous model G425, ball speed increased by 2-3 mph," and "distance and forgiveness have improved."

Pendrith recorded an average driving distance of 318.50 yards (4th place) at the CJ Cup Byron Nelson. Powered by overwhelming tee shot distance, he easily hunted birdies. Over four days, he collected 2 eagles, 22 birdies (3 bogeys). He was also outstanding on the greens. His putts per hole when hitting the green was only 1.57 (1st place). The special helper leading his "stingy putting" was the Odyssey Versa Jailbird 380 CS.

Driver: Ping G430 LST (9 degrees)

Fairway Woods: Ping G430 Max (15, 20.5 degrees)

Irons: Srixon ZX (#2-3), Srixon ZX7 Mk II (#4-9)

Wedges: Cleveland RTX 6 Tour Rack (46, 52, 56, 60 degrees)

Putter: Odyssey Versa Jailbird 380 CS

Ball: Srixon Z-Star Diamond **Source: PGA Tour