NEWS
Grace Adds One More Top-10 To End Dream Season
When Branden Grace battled his way through European Tour Qualifying School last year, he couldn’t have even dreamed of a season like 2012. The numbers are astounding: 4 wins on the European Tour, a victory on the Sunshine Tour, sixth place on the final Race to Dubai Standings and more clutch moments than almost any other player on Tour. He went from a young gun trying to make a name for himself to one of the game’s rising stars, now penciled in for all the majors and big WGC events for next year. It’s been an unbelievable ride and we’ve been happy to be with him every step of the way.
Grace capped off his unforgettable 2012 campaign with a strong sixth place finish at the DP World Tour Championship. He used a HEX Black Tour Ball, RAZR Fit 3-Wood and an Odyssey Black Series Tour Designs #1 Wide Putter to shoot 69-65-70-68 at Jumeirah Golf Estates. Grace played pinpoint golf from tee-to-green all week, hitting 76.8% of fairways and 81.9% of greens. It’s no surprise that his great ball-striking week led to a number of birdies on a course that was set up for good scoring.
Now that the season has ended, Grace can rest up and wait to see where he finishes in the Player of the Year Race. He had more European Tour wins than any other golfer this year, out-dueled major champions in a playoff win and won on his native soil in South Africa, so whether he takes home the award or not, we’re going to give him an A+ for the season. Here’s to many more just like it, Branden. We tip our (Callaway) hat to you.
Odyssey Clinches Worldwide Wins Title
Meanwhile, Odyssey secured its 55th win across the six major worldwide Tours this year with a victory on the Japanese Tour. The #1 Putter in Golf is now guaranteed to finish the year with more worldwide Tour wins than other putter brand. We haven’t made any Thanksgiving jokes yet so I guess we should say something about being thankful for all these wins, and all the great players who dominate with our putters. Oh, well I guess that works. Moving on….
Jaidee T7 In Dubai
Thongchai Jaidee used a RAZR Fit Driver (9.5°), HEX Black Tour Ball and an Odyssey ProType Black #2 Putter to finish T7 at the DP World Tour Championship. The Callaway staffer closed out the year with back-to-back top-10 finishes and moved into 27th place on the final Race to Dubai standings. Jaidee’s stellar season included a victory at the ISPS Handa Wales Open in June, where he braved through rainy conditions to pull out the win. Since we just gave a tip of the (Callaway) cap to Branden, it only makes sense to give one out to Thongchai too. Great season, gents!
NOTES
Tour Blog Team Member Plays Golf, Avoids Black Friday
While many Americans worked their way through the big shopping lines on Black Friday, one of our guys acted on his chance to play an empty golf course. Our man claims to have played 36 holes on his home course in under five hours on Friday morning in what can only be described as a perfect golf plan. He didn’t have to wait on any shot and says he only saw a handful of other golfers during his perfect mid-day outing.
Sadly, this writer was one of those Americans who came out for Black Friday. On a positive note, this writer is going to give his dad an awesome toaster for the holidays. I’m going to convince myself I made the right choice. Actually, nah should have played golf.
ANECDOTES
Tommy “Two Gloves” Does It Again
One last tip of the cap, we promise, goes out to Tommy “Two Gloves” Gainey on his win at the Callaway Pebble Beach Invitational. The Callaway staffer has ended his year on a serious high note with this win and his victory at the McGladrey Classic. Congratulations on a big few weeks, Mr. Two Gloves! We’ll see you in Hawaii for the Tournament of Champions. Well, we won’t be there to see you, but we’ll be watching. Yep, you go do Hawaii. We’ll be here if you need us.
Tags: Braden Grace, Callaway, Gainey, HEX Black Tour, Odyssey, Pebble Beach
