[Winners Club] Shopli "Finished with Precision"

Second Major Win at The Open Following PGA Championship
Perfect Play with 6 Birdies and No Bogeys in Final Round
Precise Iron Shots and Approach Create Birdie Opportunities

Zander Shofley (USA) has firmly established his position among the ‘Big 3’.

Xander Schauffele is celebrating with the Claret Jug immediately after winning The Open. [Tron (Scotland) = Reuters·Yonhap News]

On the 21st (local time), at the Royal Troon Golf Club (par 71, 7,385 yards) in South Ayrshire, Scotland, UK, the 152nd Open Championship, the ‘oldest major’ (total prize money $17 million), concluded with Shofley winning by 2 strokes (9 under par, 275 strokes). He received the Claret Jug awarded to the champion along with a prize of $3.1 million (approximately 4.3 billion KRW). After winning his first major at the PGA Championship last May, he became a major champion again just two months later. In the world rankings announced that day, he pushed Rory McIlroy (Northern Ireland) down to 3rd place and rose to 2nd.

Shofley showcased perfect performance. Especially on the final day, he recorded 6 birdies without a single bogey. At the 11th hole, he hit a wedge shot from the left rough to within 1 meter of the hole and made a birdie. He also succeeded in birdie putts from 4.5 meters at the 13th hole and 4.2 meters at the 14th hole. He exclaimed, "It has been a long journey. Hearing my name called here feels like I am dreaming."

Shofley chose forgiving clubs. He used the Callaway Paradigm Ai Smoke Triple Diamond driver (10.5 degrees) and fairway wood (16.5 degrees). His green hit rate was excellent. He was assisted by the Mizuno MP-20 HMB (#3) and Callaway Apex TCB (#4-10). During the tournament, he recorded a green hit rate of 69.4% (tied for 2nd).

His approach shots and clutch putting were also outstanding. Equipped with Callaway Opus (52 degrees) and Titleist Vokey Design SM10 (56, 60 degrees) wedges, he created 12 birdie opportunities within 3 meters (tied for 5th). His total putts over four days were 112 (tied for 18th). His driver, irons, and putting formed a fantastic harmony. He expressed ambition, saying, "I know the career Grand Slam is difficult, but if you don’t try, you can’t achieve it."

Driver: Callaway Paradigm Ai Smoke Triple Diamond (10.5 degrees)

Fairway Wood: Callaway Paradigm Ai Smoke Triple Diamond (16.5 degrees)

Irons: Mizuno MP-20 HMB (#3), Callaway Apex TCB (#4-10)

Wedges: Callaway Opus (52 degrees), Titleist Vokey Design SM10 (56, 60 degrees)

Putter: Odyssey Toulon Design Las Vegas Prototype 7CH

Ball: Callaway Chrome Tour *Data provided by PGA Tour