KBS Tour shaft helps 150th Open Championship winner

19 July 2022

The pioneering KBS Tour shaft – in both irons and wedges – played a key role in helping the winner of the historic 150th Open Championship at St Andrews at the weekend and in doing so, it adds another Major to the KBS haul this year following victories on the LPGA Tour and PGA Tour Champions last month.

The 28-year-old Australian conquered the famous Old Course in Fife using KBS Tour 130x (Custom Matte Black) in his 3-9 irons and the same shaft in his three wedges. He ranked first in strokes gained for approach shots, putting himself 13 strokes ahead of the field. He also ranks 2nd overall in the 2022 PGA Tour season.

His scintillating approach play allowed him to match the best score to par in Major Championship history at 20-under, while also carding the lowest closing nine-hole stretch at The Open, coming home in 30 in a round of eight-under 64, that included five straight birdies from the turn. He is also only the second player in history to win both the Players Championship and The Open in the same season, joining Jack Nicklaus.

“We’re extremely proud to add another Major Championship to our trophy cabinet and we congratulate the winner on a magnificent performance at the Home of Golf, especially on the back-nine on Sunday where he played some of the best golf I’ve seen in a long while,” said Kim Braly, KBS Director of R&D and master shaft maker.

“The KBS Tour is my signature shaft and one that I use a blueprint for all the other shafts in the KBS line-up. It is ideal for players desiring shot versatility and mid trajectory, perfect for links golf in the wind!” he added.

The native Queenslander becomes only the fifth Australian to be named Champion Golfer of the Year and in doing so, he propels himself to 2nd in the Official Golf World Rankings. His accurate iron play is seen as one of the biggest factors in his consistent performances this season along with his short game, which has long been considered among the best in the world. In 16 starts this year, he’s recorded seven top-10’s – included a T3 at The Masters and 11 top 25’s.

Incorporating pioneering technology, the KBS Tour shaft maximises energy transfer for increased shot control offering a smooth, responsive feel and is the preferred model by several of the best golfers in the world. Sitting side-by-side with the iron shaft, the KBS TOUR wedge shaft is designed exclusively for wedges to produce shots with a lower-mid trajectory and mid ball spin. Like its iron equivalent, the wedge shaft is tested and proven on Tour and creates a piercing ball flight with incredibly tight shot dispersion.

Played by more than 300 Tour players worldwide, KBS partners with every club manufacturer in the game and offers 30 different shafts across every club in the bag, including 18 iron options featuring different weights and flexes.

There is also the TG Graphite Wood shaft; popular Graphite hybrid and irons options, four wedge shafts offering different weights, flexes and trajectory; and two putter shafts, including the new 1 One Step. All KBS shafts are designed to benefit the game of the broadest range of golfers – from global Tour stars to accomplished amateurs and juniors.

For further details of the KBS golf shaft range, please visit www.kbsgolfshafts.com