It was all hush and still as Team Titleist’s Jordan Spieth and Team TaylorMade’s Jason Day walked to the 16th hole at Whistling Straits. Spieth was going for his third professional major this year, which would have made him only the third man to ever achieve this feat. Day was just looking to hold on to a victory, after having Top Tened in golf’s majors six times since 2013 without a win.
With everything hanging in the balance, Day swung his TaylorMade R15 460 driver for all it was worth from the 16th’s tee box. His impressive 314 yard drive put him within reach of the green. It was a tricky shot, but with so many near-misses behind him, Day was going to go for broke. Armed with a TaylorMade RSI TP 4 iron, he drew his shot from the fairway and barely hit the green. By the time he sunk that putt, it was over (even though there were still two holes to go). Day’s three-stroke lead over Spieth was more than the all star golfer could overcome.
Along with the 2015 PGA Championship, Day walked away setting a new record for strokes under par in a major championship that day. The former record was set by Day’s personal golfing hero, Tiger Woods, at the 2000 British Open – the new mark to beat is 20 strokes under par.
Spieth’s Loss Was Still a Win
Even though Titleist’s Spieth didn’t finish first at the PGA Championship, his second place position was still a major victory for the young golfer. Rory McIlroy, men’s golf’s most recent long-reigning number one player, had to turn his crown over to Jordan Spieth at the end of the PGA Championship. Having shot nine under par, McIlroy ended up in 17th place, which allowed Spieth to overtake him in the Official World Golf Ranking.
Spieth has always been a quality player, starting 2014 at 17th and 2015 at 9th, but this week years of effort were rewarded with the coveted number one ranking. Wielding a Titleist 915D2 driver, Vokey SM5 wedges and a Scotty Cameron 009 Prototype putter, the 22 year old is fast becoming a golf legend, even as Tiger Woods, the last younger with as much promise, begins to fade into the background.
Watching the pros battle it out is only part of being a hardcore golf addict. You’ve got to play the game to really understand the rise and fall of these champions. If your old gear isn’t up to snuff, don’t worry – we’ve got all the equipment you’re going to need at 3balls.com, with new and gently used golf clubs from top manufacturers like Titleist and TaylorMade at prices you’ll love.
Photo Credit: Keith Allison [CC BY-SA 2.0], via Wikimedia Commons