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Mizuno: The hottest irons on the PGA Tour for players not under contract

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If Tour pros could play any set of irons with no contract restrictions or obligations, what would they use?

In the world of professional golf, which is heavily influenced by profit, we’d usually never get that answer. But this year, due to a number of factors including Nike’s exit from the golf equipment industry, numerous players are left without commitments to a particular brand. That means more golfers than ever are playing irons of their choice.

Based on our photos from the Arnold Palmer Invitational, and recent weeks, it appears many of those players without iron contracts are deciding to play Mizuno irons.

In recent years, there was usually between 1-3 sets of Mizuno irons in the bag at most PGA Tour events. At this week’s Arnold Palmer Invitational, however, there are 8 players using a set of Mizuno irons. Even more interesting is that 75 percent of them are using or testing the same Mizuno iron model: the JPX-900 Tour

Related: Learn more about the JPX-900 Tour irons

Here’s a list of all the PGA Tour players currently using Mizuno irons at the Arnold Palmer Invitational, as well as links to each player’s full WITBs.

Brooks Koepka

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Sam Saunders

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Billy Hurley III

  • Mizuno Iron Model: JPX-900 Tour

Lucas Glover

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Roberto Castro

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Jim Herman

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Kevin Chappell

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Vijay Singh

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  • Mizuno Iron Model: JPX-900 Tour (built this week), most recently MP-4
  • Full WITB: Vijay Singh WITB 2017

We spotted Vijay Singh with Mizuno JPX-900 Tour irons in his bag on Monday. On Wednesday, however, he was bagging Mizuno MP-4 irons. It will be interesting to see what he decides to use going forward, but it’s likely it will be stamped with the Mizuno brand name.

Paul Casey

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See what GolfWRX members are saying about the Mizuno JPX-900 Tour irons in our forums.

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64 Comments

64 Comments

  1. Stephen Finley

    Jan 8, 2018 at 8:14 pm

    I’m sure the feel is terrific. I’ve hit and competed with several different Mizuno models over the years, and their rep is well-earned, IMHO. But have you seen the top line on the various versions of the JPX? You could land a plane on it. I really just _hate_ this direction with modern irons.

    • Emmanuel

      Jun 17, 2018 at 9:56 pm

      The top line on the jpx hot is large but then again, those were designed for high handicap players. All brands have sets like that.

  2. Vince

    Aug 25, 2017 at 6:53 pm

    Just bought the JPX 900 forged with XP105 stiff shafts ( what a buttery feeling club ! ) traded an almost new set of Titleist AP 2’s 716’s . I kept my Volkey sand wedges. All of my #’S were off the charts compared to my AP2’s . Very solid club !!! Thanks Mizuno 🙂

  3. Andy

    Jul 12, 2017 at 12:49 am

    I have mp-14s and 54s funnest even for a 10 hc. Can’t beat the feel and the shots are so satisfying. I have played PRGR, Data 601s, and they are awesome but the there is nothing like an mp-54. Also game Bridgestone j38 double pocket cavities, but they were not as consistent as the 54s. I can’t game the 14s anymore, but they sure were a great iron. I still take them out at times but I cannot weiled them like I used to. I still get a few awesome shots with them and I still say wow.

  4. Panther

    Mar 30, 2017 at 4:20 pm

    Hard time deciding weather ship my MP-29’s down to the desert, or the 712MB’s. Need to have something down there to fly light and exit the airport quickly, too many Id*ots sucking up oxygen when I travel down to the valley.

  5. James Darnell

    Mar 20, 2017 at 9:35 pm

    I am going back to my mp54 irons, when I sell these Apex Pro 16 irons. Nothing hits like a Mizuno

  6. tlmck

    Mar 19, 2017 at 10:50 pm

    I’m sticking with my homemade Maltby TE’s which replaced my MP52’s. Just nothing else on the market like them for size, shape, forgiveness, feel, etc. although Titleist CB would be a close second.

  7. Sully

    Mar 19, 2017 at 1:27 pm

    Does this surprise anyone? Mizuno makes the best feeling irons and TM makes the best performing woods. That is why if you let a pro choose without endorsement you see Mizzy irons and TM woods in the bag. The funny thing though is that performance wise irons haven’t really changed in years. I played a round recently with my old ’95 King Cobra Oversized irons while my MP-64s were in transit and they may have been 1-2 yards shorter (Same DG S300 shafts in both) and thats it. The feel was the only difference.

  8. Tom

    Mar 18, 2017 at 10:53 pm

    interesting

  9. Egor

    Mar 18, 2017 at 10:57 am

    My current set is JPX900 Forged with Project X LZ. Best irons I’ve had out of TMAG RBZ, MP-29, MP-59. I’m a 12HI and play 6-8 times a month. Great irons, great shafts for me.

  10. Ian

    Mar 18, 2017 at 12:25 am

    You know you’re struggling when you have to list a senior tour player to bolster numbers.

  11. Daniel Lux

    Mar 17, 2017 at 7:39 pm

    I’m shocked brooks is playing these irons they are as spiny and horrible as titleist I doubt he’ll settle on them.

    • Steve

      Mar 17, 2017 at 11:15 pm

      “These irons don’t fit my swing. They’re complete trash.”

      Dumbest comment of the thread award goes to you.

      • S Hitter

        Mar 18, 2017 at 7:21 pm

        LOL

      • Dan lux

        Mar 18, 2017 at 7:30 pm

        http://m.imgur.com/XAo2Tf4

        Mizuno irons are right in line with titleist how many hard swinging bombers does titleist have? No matter what shaft you put in them anything over 100mph for a 6 iron produces ballooning amounts of spin. And brooks hasn’t exactly been Lighting it up right now

        • D-Lux D0ucheb4g

          Mar 19, 2017 at 3:18 am

          Your shot dispersion is terrible, thank you for letting us know that.

          I’m pretty sure Brooks Koepka would greatly benefit from having a highly skilled, highly intelligent and insightful person like you giving advice. 🙂

    • Lc

      Jul 13, 2017 at 1:33 pm

      Going back and reading comments and I see this….”Shocked brooks is playing these irons they are as spiny and horrible as titlest I doubt he’ll settle on them.” LMAO!!!! Only won the U.S. Open with them.

    • Emmanuel

      Jun 17, 2018 at 10:00 pm

      Shocked? He just won 2 U.S. Opens with them. I’m sure he’s quite happy with them.

  12. Bert

    Mar 17, 2017 at 7:38 pm

    Used to play MP14’s and then MP37’s. Sure wish I could play them again. 72 and RA makes you play graphite and something more forgiving. Don’t like any of the new so called forgiving irons, still play the 2008 TM Tour Burners. Maybe I’ll try the JPX900’s.

  13. Prime21

    Mar 17, 2017 at 6:26 pm

    Mizuno has always made GREAT irons. Hopefully they can stay afloat.

    • Tom

      Mar 17, 2017 at 8:12 pm

      I donno…. the MX series was a bust

    • cgasucks

      Mar 18, 2017 at 9:39 am

      They’ll be fine…you do know they make other sports stuff as well. From what I know, they have a strong foothold in baseball equipment.

  14. Acemandrake

    Mar 17, 2017 at 6:12 pm

    Miura fanatics: Where are the Miura users on tour?

  15. Dan

    Mar 17, 2017 at 5:41 pm

    Like Mizuno a lot and went in expecting to buy the JPX Hot Metal irons. I ended up buying the Srixon Z565. Always remember to get a fitting before buying!

  16. Daryll

    Mar 17, 2017 at 5:35 pm

    I have played all types of irons and no other surpasses Mizuno. Have 4 different sets in my golf room. Have a set of Callaway CF16 and they are long and go high and that is good for me. Also tried the Titleist MB-T and they fly high and feel good. I was using the Nippon 880 AMC shaft. I do like the Nippon family of shafts. Have tried almost every shaft I could get my hands on. For a heaver shaft the the modus tour 130 has a great feel. Any questions or comments just email me.
    Respectfully,
    Daryll

    • Michael

      Mar 18, 2017 at 10:09 am

      With all respect Daryll, why can’t you settle on what works best for you or is it a little OCD stuff with golf equipment? I can get that way about my cars so I understand.

  17. Miuralovechild

    Mar 17, 2017 at 4:10 pm

    Not surprised really. Mizzy was #1 on the PGA tour for 12 years in a row. Some guy came along and wanted to get paid; everyone else wanted to get paid also. Their reign was over!! Probably the safest choice for anyone looking for a great forged iron. No gimmicks, and their heads seem to keep the same size, shape, and weight. I’ll take them any day over the bigger OEM’s in the industry.

  18. John Ineson

    Mar 17, 2017 at 2:59 pm

    Been a forged Mizzy guy for a very long time, so no surprises in your report. But I have Miura cavity backs as my scoring irons (CB201s, 7-9), and, when you hit ’em right, there’s something about the sound of that Miura click that says, “You don’t have to look up. It went where you wanted it to.”

  19. Jason

    Mar 17, 2017 at 12:19 pm

    Just got a set of of the JPX 900 Hot Metals. Price wasn’t an issue and hit all three and with the hot metals the ball was just flying off the face. The forged felt a bit clunky and the tour was nice but maybe a little too much for my 12 handicap. Paired them with the Modus 105s (LOVE THEM!) and some MCC plus 4’s and i’m itching for the courses to open

    • Cory

      Mar 21, 2017 at 10:51 pm

      Almost got the same setup as you bro! Instead of the Modus 105’s, I got the KBS C Taper Lites 110 grams. Same grip as well!

  20. Dat

    Mar 17, 2017 at 12:02 pm

    If I was going to buy a set of irons this year, it would be the 900 tours.

  21. Dan Weitzel

    Mar 17, 2017 at 11:34 am

    I have built multiple sets this year with the 900 Forged long irons and the Tour short irons. A little different feel with the Forged (Boron) version but they are much more forgiving for the average player in the longer clubs. See your custom guy and try this route rather than the Tour irons all the way.

  22. golfraven

    Mar 17, 2017 at 11:31 am

    Was looking at the MP-25s but let see what Titleist comes up next with.

  23. Sam

    Mar 17, 2017 at 11:20 am

    I play two year old forged 850’s and the 4 some I play with have all hit them and ask me to leave them to them when I pass. We play two sums for lunch once a week and my partner plays out of my bag because no matter what shot he hits he just flat love’s the feel.

    • Mike

      Mar 19, 2017 at 10:39 am

      Ebay is your friend’s friend.

      • cgasucks

        Mar 24, 2017 at 10:10 am

        Craigslist is even a better friend…no shipping or customs, or foreign exchange BS.

  24. Mark

    Mar 17, 2017 at 10:42 am

    Quality clubs for quality players. Simple as that.

  25. Peter

    Mar 17, 2017 at 10:38 am

    Great news for Mizuno. Probably not that surprising for the better amateur golfers around the world who already know that Mizuno make the best irons.

  26. Zach

    Mar 17, 2017 at 10:33 am

    I absolutely love my JPX 900 Forged irons. Nothing felt anywhere close to the soft buttery feel. I will upgrade to the Tours when I wear out my current set.

  27. cgasucks

    Mar 17, 2017 at 10:15 am

    Not surprised..when I started golf in 2000, Mizuno has stated at the time that they’re the #1 irons on the tour…then one day, TM started to give tee up money to non-staff players to use their irons and drivers and has been that way for a long time. I hope Mizuno goes back to being the #1 irons on tour again.

  28. Tom54

    Mar 17, 2017 at 9:38 am

    Loved the mp-29s back in the 90s and thought they were best out there. Have not tried Mizuno irons for a while. My quirk with them is I wish they would have stuck with the old “M” as their logo. Don’t know what the new one means at all. Looked much more classy with old logo that’s just me

    • Steve

      Mar 17, 2017 at 5:34 pm

      “For many years, Mizuno had used a distinctive large “M” logo. This logo was integrated into the stripes on the sidewall of many of its baseball and running shoes, but due to a trademark issue and the feeling that the Mizuno “M” was deemed too similar to the Adidas three stripes, a more modern Mizuno logo was needed that would also signify the company’s expansive views.”

      “The Runbird—a beautiful, free-flowing, graphic emblem of the Mizuno brand—is more than just a logo, adorning shoes, clothes and gear. Instead, the Runbird symbolizes Mizuno’s roots in the Japanese concept of its universal approach to sports with unlimited space and energy.”

      There ya go.

  29. rogerinnz

    Mar 17, 2017 at 9:26 am

    So no real suprises that it;s Mizuno !!
    In the 1990’s it was the same!!

  30. Tom54

    Mar 17, 2017 at 9:26 am

    I played mizuno mp-29s back in the 90s and thought they were awesome clubs. I’m sure today’s models are nice too. Just wish they wouldn’t have switched the “M” logo to that strange looking thing they use now I know it’s just a quirk but I wish they went back to old logo

    • Brian

      Mar 20, 2017 at 9:35 am

      I personally like the contemporary Running Bird logo more

  31. Tom

    Mar 17, 2017 at 9:14 am

    so no contract = Mizuno JPX 900 irons for 8 players. I hope players mentioned above have a good season with these irons in their bag.

  32. PK

    Mar 17, 2017 at 8:55 am

    Interesting regarding the Mizuno irons but just as interesting is the fact that all these players on this list are using M1/M2 drivers.

  33. Feel the Bern

    Mar 17, 2017 at 8:47 am

    Don’t expect to see any left handers on this list. For shame, Mizuno. For Shame.

    • Wizardofflatstickmountain

      Mar 17, 2017 at 9:36 am

      Lefties make up between 5-7% of golfers in the IS.do not know what percentage of lefties there are in Japan.

      It’s reasonable that a company would fish where the fish are, wouldn’t you say?

      http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2003-04-18/features/0304180048_1_lefty-golfers-left-handed-judi-pavon

    • joro

      Mar 17, 2017 at 10:35 am

      I just got a set of Leftie MP900 Hot Metal Irons and they are amazing. I have 5 thru lob with an M2 Driver, no contract,lol. As club maker and repairman Mizuno has always been the top quality in my opinion and when you are working on clubs you find out what is quality and what is not. I have Callaways, TMs, and other “top of the lines”,,, no comparison.

    • JThunder

      Mar 17, 2017 at 5:40 pm

      I feel your pain, lefties. My mom makes up one of your sinistro numbers.

      In an era when golf companies are wailing and gnashing their teeth about “decline” in right handed golfers, you can surely understand how the capitalist solution is to disenfranchise the 5%. Corporate America tends to dump products that “only” sell at a 10% level, etc.

      There is no easy solution. You could find a way to surgically implant the long-lost heart (or conscience) into capitalism. You could try to find a way to make left-handed clubs more profitable. This might involve drafting masses of lefties into golf, or long-term breeding of the recessive gene (which is 50/50 right-left). Or find someone to pull a Ned Flanders and create a Left Hand Golf club OEM and Superstore. My first suggestion is preferred since it might improve more things too.

    • Marc Anderson

      Mar 18, 2017 at 8:16 am

      JPX900 Hot Metal, JPX900 Forged &
      MP25 irons are available in LH.

  34. mr b

    Mar 17, 2017 at 8:47 am

    900 Tours are the best iron i’ve hit. waiting on my tax refund to get a set and upgrade my 63’s. stoked!

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Whats in the Bag

Christiaan Maas WITB 2026 (June)

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Driver: TaylorMade Qi4D LS (8 degrees)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus TR Blue 6 X

3-wood: TaylorMade Qi10 (15 degrees)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Black 9 TX

Irons: TaylorMade P770 (3), TaylorMade P7CB (4), TaylorMade P7TW (5-PW)
Shafts: Fujikura Ventus Black HB 10 X, True Temper Dynamic Gold X100

Wedges: TaylorMade Prototype (50-SB09), TaylorMade MG5 (56-HB12, 60-LV07)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold S400

Putter: TaylorMade TP Juno

Ball: Titleist Pro V1x

Grips: Golf Pride Tour Velvet Cord

Check out more in-hand photos of Christiaan Maas’ clubs here.

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Equipment

TaylorMade MySpider Tour and Tour X: More customizable build options now available

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TaylorMade Golf’s MySpider program underwent a substantial overhaul over the last month. Firstly, the company launched the option to customize the Spider ZT model, and now the program has returned with the MySpider Tour and MySpider Tour X.

The revamped page now gives golfers complete control over every visual and functional detail of their putter on the popular Tour and Tour X head, with every cosmetic idea thought of. In MySpider Tour, golfers can choose from four head finishes, 16 paint fill colors, nine Surlyn face insert colors, three aluminum insert options, six sightline configurations, and four hosel options — L-neck, small slant, double bend, center shaft. Six sightline options are available in MySpider Tour, including the optically engineered True Path alignment system. MySpider Tour X gives builders the option of four head finishes, four hosel configurations, and five sightline options, also including True Path alignment.

One of the more interesting features of the new MySpider program is the availability of three distinct face insert options. Along with the usual Surlyn Pure Roll insert trusted by Scottie Scheffler and Rory McIlroy, which can be customized from nine colors, golfers can now also select firmer options. Two are offered with the black aluminum Pure Roll insert, slightly firmer than the traditional insert, or for the firmest feel, golfers can choose from two colors of milled aluminum inserts.

Another fun addition to the MySpider Tour is the ability to use the “Tommy Sightline.” The custom alignment aid design, which was first drawn onto Tommy Fleetwood’s putter by PGA Tour Rep James Holley, is based on the milled sightline on his Spider ZT head. There are five shorter lines on the left and right of a longer central line serving as the traditional short line alignment aid.

See below for the full specifications sheet for MySpider Tour and Tour X:

MySpider Tour

MySpider Tour X

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Equipment

Then and now: Comparing Rory McIlroy’s current setup to his record-breaking 2019 Canadian Open victory

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In Rory McIlroy’s first appearance at the 2019 RBC Canadian Open, he crushed the record books to earn his 16th PGA Tour title in dominating fashion, winning by seven shots over Shane Lowry and Webb Simpson.

McIlroy’s score of 22-under-par 258 is the lowest 72-hole score to date at the Canadian Open, and his closing 61 is also the best final-round score in the history of one of golf’s oldest tournaments. Finally, with his win in 2019, McIlroy became only the sixth player to win the career Triple Crown, adding to his victories at the U.S. Open in 2011 and The Open Championship in 2014, joining Tommy Armour, Walter Hagen, Arnold Palmer, Lee Trevino and Tiger Woods in a coveted list.

So, with that, why not compare his current setup to the clubs he used to break all the records?

Driver

2019: TaylorMade M5 (9 degrees), Shaft: Mitsubishi Tensei CK Pro White 70 TX
2026: TaylorMade Qi4D (9 degrees @8), Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Black 7X (45 5/8 inches)

McIroy led the Tour in Strokes Gained: Off-the-Tee in 2019; he’s doing the same in 2026. Between now and then, McIlroy has switched from the Mitsubishi Tensei CK Pro White 70 TX (a shaft with slightly more feeling in the tip) to the original Fujikura Ventus Black 7X, having just made the change to the heavier version from playing the 60X.

What’s interesting about McIlroy’s 2019 setup is that the weighting on his driver is actually set in the high-draw setting, using the T-Track weighting system, whereas in the Qi4D, he’s currently using a heavily rear-weighted setup. (Two 13-gram weights in the rear and only two 4-gram front weights.)

The TaylorMade M5 driver he played in during his Canadian Open win was the company’s first head that they claimed to design to initially exceed the USGA’s COR limit, and then injected with tuning resin to bring it back in bounds.

Fairway woods

2019: TaylorMade M6 3-wood (15 degrees), Shaft: Mitsubishi Tensei CK Pro White 80 TX; TaylorMade M5 5-wood (19 degrees), Shaft: Mitsubishi Tensei CK Pro White 90 TX
2026: TaylorMade Qi4D 3-wood (15 degrees), Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Black 8X; TaylorMade Qi4D 5-wood (18 degrees), Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Black 9X

The TaylorMade M6 fairway wood that McIlroy was using during the 2019 season is still in the bag of some of the best golfers on Tour in 2026. Just check out Justin Rose’s winning setup from the Farmers Insurance Open earlier this year. This year, though, McIlroy has still been searching for his top-end-of-the-bag setup, having played both the new Qi4D and the Qi10, which he won the Masters with.

The same shaft swap can be seen in the fairway woods as the driver, along with slightly less loft on the 5-wood.

Irons

2019: TaylorMade P750 (4) Buy here, TaylorMade P730 (5-9), Shafts: Project X 7.0
2026: TaylorMade P760 (4), TaylorMade Rors Proto (5-9), Shafts: Project X 7.0

The biggest difference between McIlroy’s custom set and the stock P730s is the groove design. While the P730s were constructed with 14 MX-9 grooves on their milled faces, McIlroy’s proto heads instead use the higher-spinning, 16-groove layout of the TW2 grooves. Other big differences between the sets are that McIlroy’s 7- and 8-irons have thinner toplines, are 1 degree stronger in loft, and are 1/4 inch longer than the original P730 builds.

With McIlroy’s 4-iron, the switch from P750 to P760 sees a transition to a two-piece construction with Speed Foam in it, which allows McIlroy to launch the ball slightly higher, with more workability.

Wedges

2019: TaylorMade Milled Grind (48-09SB), TaylorMade MG Hi-Toe (52-09SB, 56-09SB, 60-LB09), Shafts: Project X Rifle 6.5
2026: TaylorMade MG5 (46-09SB, 50-09SB, 54-11SB, 60-08LB @61), Shafts: Project X 6.5 (46-54), Project X 6.5 Wedge (60)

Between 2019 and 2026, McIlroy’s focus on his short game has been much more apparent. It was the reason why he switched back to the TP5 golf ball, to help with launch, spin and control with his wedges leading up to his career Grand Slam victory in 2025. The most apparent changes to McIlroy’s wedge setup are his lofts and bounce. He’s slowly delofted his pitching to a sand wedge, but has increased the loft on the lob wedge, bending his current 60-degree to 61. With that, adding more loft to his lob wedge also slightly increases the bounce and leading-edge sit point, so, as a result, he plays a lower-bounce lob wedge compared to 2019. The MG5 wedges are also softer than the first Milled Grind option from 2019. McIlroy also no longer plays the full-face grooves found on the Hi-Toe.

Putter

2019: TaylorMade Spider X
2026: TaylorMade Spider Tour X

Notice anything similar. Yes, the copper finish on Rory McIlroy’s Spider X putter in 2019 is a slightly more reflective finish than the recently released torched PVD finish. McIlroy was using the True Path alignment system, but now uses only a single white sightline.

Ball

2019: 2019 TaylorMade TP5 (#22)
2026: 2025 TaylorMade TP5 (RORS)

As mentioned above, McIlroy had transitioned from the TP5 to TP5x golf ball since his victory in Canada in 2019, but now is black with the same style of golf ball as his victory at Hamilton Golf & Country Club.

Grips

2019: Golf Pride Tour Velvet Cord
2026: Golf Pride MCC

Interesting, McIlroy actually used Golf Pride’s Tour Velvet Cord grips during his victory in 2019 (it was during a 2+ year switch to the corded TV) as opposed to his usual MCC grips, which he has played for most of his career.

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