Equipment
Tiger vs. Phil: WITB for my top 5 duels
The title says it all.
I’m sure there will be some back and forth on the top 5, but these are my picks based on the WITB and overall entertainment.
No. 5: 2007 Deutsche Bank Championship (TPC Boston)
SCORES
Phil Mickelson -16 (Winner)
Tiger Woods -14 (T2)
What Transpired: Phil fired a final round 66 to edge TW (67) by 2.
Why in the Top 5: Like one of the other match-ups, both players fired rounds in the mid-60s.
What was in the Bag
Phil Mickelson
DRIVER: Callaway FT-5 Tour 8.5 with Mitsubishi Chemical Diamana White Board 73x5ct
3-WOOD: Callaway X-Hot 15 Degrees with Mitsubishi Chemical Diamana White Board 73x5ct
HYBRID: Callaway FT 2H 18 Degrees with Mitsubishi Chemical Diamana Blue Board 93x5ct
IRONS: Callaway X-Forged CB with Project X Rifle (Satin) 7.o
WEDGES: Callaway X Forged (52, 56, 60) with Project X Rifle (Satin) 7.o
PUTTER: Odyssey #9 PM Proto @33.5 Inches
GRIPS: Royal Grip Sand Wrap
Tiger Woods
DRIVER: Nike Sasquatch @8.5 with Mitsubishi Chemical Diamana Blue Board 83x5ct
3-WOOD: Nike Sasquatch @15 with Mitsubishi Chemical Diamana Blue Board 103x5ct
5-WOOD: Nike T40 Tour 5T @19 Degrees with Mitsubishi Chemical Diamana Blue Board 103x5ct
IRONS: (3-PW) Nike Forged MB (Red TW Logo) with True Temper Dynamic Gold X100 (Tipped 1/4 w/ Wooden Dowel Inserts)
WEDGES: (56) Nike Forged Pro Combo (60) Nike Forged SV with Dynamic Gold S400
PUTTER: Scotty Cameron GSS Newport 2 with Ping Man Grip (Blacked Out) 35 Inches
GRIPS: Golf Pride Tour Velvet Chord “Logo Down”
No. 4: 2001 Arnold Palmer Championship (Bay Hill Club & Lodge)
SCORES
Tiger Woods -15 (Winner)
Phil Mickelson -14 (T2)
What Transpired: Tiger was in a “slump” and finally, after five arduous weeks, broke through to outduel Phil.
Why in the Top 5: The two players separated themselves from the pack, and if it weren’t for some 72nd hole heroics by Tiger, a playoff (the first and maybe only Tiger/Phil version) would have ensued.
What was in the Bag
Tiger Woods
DRIVER: Titleist 975D @7.5 w/ Dynamic Gold X100 (tipped to length) @43.5 inches long
3-WOOD: Titleist 970 @15 w/ Dynamic Gold X100 (tipped to length) @42.5 inches long
IRONS: 2-P Titleist 681T (Endo Forged) with Dynamic Gold X100 (Tipped 1/4)
WEDGES: Titleist Vokey 258/08 @56, 260/06 with Dynamic Gold S400
PUTTER: Scotty Cameron GSS with PingMan “blackout” grip
GRIPS: Golf Pride Tour Velvet Cord
Phil Mickelson
DRIVER: TaylorMade 360 8.5 degrees w/ Fujikura Speeder 757 X
3-WOOD: Yonex Titanium 13 degrees with Yonex Tour Graphite Proto X
IRONS: (2-PW) Titleist 990 with Royal Precision Rifle FCM 7.0
WEDGES: Titleist Vokey 252/08, 256/10, 60 “P Grind” with Royal Precision Rifle FCM 7.0
PUTTER: Scotty Cameron Santa Fe Terryllium (Stainless Steel) @33.5 Inches
GRIPS: Royal Grips Sand Wrap
GLOVE: Titleist
No. 3: 2009 Tour Championship (East Lake GC)
SCORES
Phil Mickelson -9 (Winner)
Tiger Woods -6 (2nd but Won Fed Ex Cup)
What Transpired: Phil fires a final-round 65 to claim the title and bounce up from 14th to 2nd in the FedEx Cup final standings. If it weren’t for a late birdie surge by TW, Phil could have taken home the $10 million.
Why in the Top 5: It’s symbolic of the relationship. Phil won the day and the trophy but TW won the war. Bittersweet for both. If memes were a thing back then it would look like this.
What was in the Bag
Phil Mickelson
DRIVER: Callaway FT-9 Tour 8.5 with Mitsubishi Chemical Fubuki K 73x5ct
3-WOOD: Callaway Diablo 15 Degrees with Mitsubishi Fubuki K 73x5ct
HYBRIDS: Callaway PM Prototype (19,22) with Mitsubishi Chemical Diamana Thump Hybrid 100X
IRONS: (4-PW) Callaway Pro MB1 with Project X Rifle (Satin) 7.o
WEDGES: Callaway X Forged MD (54, 60) with Project X Rifle (Satin) 7.o
PUTTER: Odyssey PT82 PM Proto @33.5 Inches
GRIPS: Golf Pride MCC Black/White
Tiger Woods
DRIVER: Nike Dymo 380CC Prototype @8.5 with Mitsubishi Chemical Diamana White Board 83x5ct
3 WOOD: Nike Sasquatch @15 with Mitsubishi Chemical Diamana Blue Board 103x5ct
5 WOOD: Nike Sasquatch @19 Degrees with Mitsubishi Chemical Diamana Blue Board 103x5ct
IRONS: (3-PW) Nike Forged MB (Red TW Logo) with True Temper Dynamic Gold X100 (Tipped 1/4 w/ Wooden Dowel Inserts)
WEDGES: (56) Nike Forged Pro Combo (60) Nike Forged “FastBack” with Dynamic Gold S400
PUTTER: Scotty Cameron GSS Newport 2 with Ping Man Grip (Blacked Out) 35 Inches
GRIPS: Golf Pride Tour Velvet Cord “Logo Down”
No. 2: 2002 US Open (Bethpage Black)
SCORES:
Tiger Woods -3 (Winner)
Phil Mickelson Even (2nd)
What Transpired: Tiger Woods put on a warrior’s performance and at times physically overpowered Bethpage Black. However, the hearts of the NY State crowd were with Phil who put up a titans effort but in no way ever threatened TW.
Why in the Top 5: It was the first major in which TW was winning but Phil had all the energy behind him. Its the first time I heard “People’s Champion” in reference to Phil and I believe the love affair with NYC and Mickelson started here.
What was in the bag
Tiger Woods
DRIVER: Nike TW Prototype 310CC @8.5 w/ True Temper Dynamic Gold X100 (tipped to length) @43.5 inches long
3-WOOD: Titleist 970 @15 w/ Dynamic Gold X100 (tipped to length) @42.5 inches long
IRONS: 2-P Titleist 681T (Endo Forged) with Dynamic Gold X100 (Tipped 1/4)
WEDGES: Titleist Vokey 258/08 @56, 260/06 with Dynamic Gold S400
PUTTER: Scotty Cameron GSS with PingMan “blackout” grip
GRIPS: Golf Pride Tour Velvet Cord
Phil Mickelson
DRIVER: Titleist 975 J-VS 8.5 with Graphite Design PM702 X
3-WOOD: TaylorMade 300 Tour 13 Degrees Graphite Design PM902 X
IRONS: 2-P Titleist 731PM with Royal Precision Rifle FCM 7.0
WEDGES: Titleist Vokey 252/08, 256/10, 60 “P Grind” with Royal Precision Rifle FCM 7.0
PUTTER: Scotty Cameron Napa PM Proto 33.5 Inches
GRIPS: Royal Grip Sand Wrap
No. 1: 2005 Ford Championship (Doral Resort and Spa)
SCORES:
Tiger Woods -24 (Winner)
Phil Mickelson -23 (2nd)
What Transpired: An absolute slugfest that came all the way down to an almost chip in by Phil at the 72nd. It was a non-major, low scoring free for all.
Why in the Top 5: Some of the best golf you will watch by these two. Tiger’s Haney swing was just now starting to kick in and both players were airing it out with the driver and airtight with the irons. It was just a fun watch whether you love golf or not.
What was in the bag
Tiger Woods
DRIVER: Nike Ignite 8.5 with Mitsubishi Chemical Diamana Blue Board Prototype (Matte Blue) 73X5ct
3-WOOD: Nike Ignite T60 @15 with Mitsubishi Chemical Diamana Blue Board 103x5ct
IRONS: (3-PW) Nike Forged MB (Black Swoosh on Muscle) with True Temper Dynamic Gold X100 (Tipped 1/4 w/ Wooden Dowel Inserts)
WEDGES: (56) Nike Forged Pro Combo (60) Nike Forged “Fast Back” with Dynamic Gold S400
PUTTER: Scotty Cameron GSS Newport 2 with Ping Man Grip (Blacked Out) 35 Inches
GRIPS: Golf Pride Tour Velvet Chord “Logo Down”
Phil Mickelson
DRIVER: Callaway FT-3 8.5 with Graphite Design PM702 X
3-WOOD: TaylorMade V-Steel T/S 13 Degrees with Graphite Design PM702 X
IRONS: Callaway X Tour with Project X Rifle (Satin) 7.0
WEDGES: Callaway Vintage Forged (52, 56, 60) with Project X Rifle (Satin) 7.0
PUTTER: Odyssey PM Proto Blade
GRIPS: Royal Grip Sand Wrap
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Equipment
Spotted: Tony Finau’s driver shaft change at the 2024 Texas Children’s Houston Open
Tony Finau has always been known as one of the longest players on the PGA Tour, but he has recently been working on adding a little more distance. Last year, Finau averaged 118.3 mph club head speed and 178.08 mph ball speed, all while playing a Mitsubishi Diamana D+ Limited 70 TX driver shaft. This year, he has increased his club head speed to 123.93 mph and his ball speed to 183.32 mph.
However, Finau’s overall distance has decreased by two yards in that time. From a fitting perspective, something was up. We asked Tony about the shaft change at the Texas Children’s Hospital Open.
“[I’m seeing] better numbers with the spin. My driver’s been a little high spin for me over the last month or so, and so I just figured it was time to probably check out the equipment,” Finau said. “And it definitely showed me that I was using a shaft that’s maybe a little too tip-stiff for me, the way I load the club now. [I’m seeing] better numbers with the spin.”
Finau switched from the Mitsubishi Diamana D+ Limited 70 TX into the Diamana GT 70 TX. The newer Diamana GT has a slightly different profile than the D+ Limited with the stiffest handle section in the Diamana lineup. The mid sections between the two are similar stiffness but the tip is just slightly stiffer in the Diamana GT. Both shafts are within one gram of each other in the 70 TX. The torque rating on the GT is 0.1 higher than the D+Limited’s 2.7 measurement.
Mitsubishi lists the Diamana GT as a shaft between the mid-launching Diamana TB and the new low-launch Diamana WB shafts. For most players, it would be considered a mid/low launch and low-spin shaft option. Mitsubishi’s Xlink Tech Resin System makes sure the maximum carbon fiber content is there for smooth feel without reducing the strength of the shaft. MR70 carbon fiber is used for reinforcing the shaft and boron is used in the tip for its high strength and compression properties.
Finau is still using his trusty Ping G430 LST driver in 9 degrees and has the adjustable hosel set to -1 degree of loft (standard lie angle). Finau’s long-time favorite Lamkin UTX Green grip is installed. He definitely has a few extra wraps of tape under that grip as you can see the bulge down where the grip meets the shaft.
- Check out the rest of our pictures from the 2024 Texas Children’s Houston Open
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Whats in the Bag
Zac Blair WITB 2024 (March)
- Zac Blair what’s in the bag accurate as of the Texas Children’s Houston Open. More photos from the event here.
Driver: Titleist TSR2 (10 degrees, A1 SureFit setting)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus TR Red 6 X
3-wood: TaylorMade M5 Rocket 3 (14 degrees)
Shaft: Fujikura Speeder 757 Evolution V1 X
Utility: Titleist U510 (3)
Shaft: Aldila Tour Blue 85 X
Irons: Ping i210 (4-6), Miura MB-001 (7-9)
Shafts: Nippon N.S. Pro Modus3
Wedges: Titleist Vokey Design SM10 (46-10F, 58-08M @57, 60 @61), Vokey Design WedgeWorks (52-M)
Shafts: Nippon N.S. Pro Modus3 Tour 105 X
Putter: Scotty Cameron prototype
Grips: Golf Pride Tour Velvet
Ball: Titleist Pro V1
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Whats in the Bag
Martin Trainer WITB 2024 (March)
- Martin Trainer what’s in the bag accurate as of the Texas Children’s Houston Open. More photos from the event here.
Driver: Wilson Staff Staff Model (6.5 degrees)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Kai’li Blue 70 TX
3-wood: Wilson Staff WLabs Prototype (13 degrees)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Tensei CK Orange 80 TX
Irons: Wilson Staff Staff Model (2, 4-9)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue X100
Wedges: Wilson Staff Staff Model (52, 56, 60)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue X100
Putter: Bobby Grace Greg Chalmers Prototype
Grips: Golf Pride Tour Velvet
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Stanley
May 23, 2020 at 2:36 pm
Oooooooo those Nike blades…..
Baldrick
May 23, 2020 at 7:10 pm
Mix in an editor next time.
“7.o”
“Chord”
Nack Jicklaus
May 24, 2020 at 12:51 pm
I always drooled over those in the golf shop years ago…