July 7, 2014 – Srixon staff player Graeme McDowell beat fellow staffer Kevin Stadler, by one shot, to successfully defend his Alstom French Open title and hand Srixon a one-two finish in the European Tour, as Srixon enjoyed four worldwide victories this weekend.

McDowell, who started the day eight shots off the lead, shot a final round 67, to climb the leaderboard and post a total of 5-under-par to take the clubhouse lead.

While the Northern Irishman was moving in the right direction, it was a different story for Stadler, who had held a commanding position at the top of the field for the entire week, after his incredible first round of 7-under-par. Unfortunately, a final round of 5-over-par, saw his four shot lead disappear as he dropped back into second place. The American’s round somewhat summed up when his two-foot putt to force a play-off at the last, slipped by the hole.

Graeme McDowell said: “I feel very fortunate. Kevin Stadler is a great, great player. I literally gave him that putt on the last green. I didn’t expect him to miss that. It’s not really the way you like to win. I was ready to go for the play-off, but I’ll take it and run. I really needed this victory. It’s a special one for me. It’s pretty timely. There’s a busy summer ahead and this is a really good kick-start to the summer.”

“I’m very proud to defend my first title ever and this is the boost I needed on many fronts, especially the Ryder Cup.”

McDowell was using the 4-piece Srixon Z-STAR XV golf ball with Spin Skin as well as Cleveland 588 RTX wedges that feature Rotex face technology to maximise spin and control from any lie. Stadler, who also carries Cleveland 588 RTX wedges, uses the 3-piece Srixon Z-STAR golf ball as well as Cleveland 588 CB irons.

Elsewhere, Srixon staffer George McNeil fired a phenomenal closing round 61 that included a hole-in-one at the 8th hole, to finish second in the Greenbrier Classic on the PGA Tour. Srixon ball user Ryo Ishikawa won his 11th JGTO event in the SEGA Sammy golf event, beating fellow Srixon staffer Koumei Oda in a play-off.

In South Africa, Dean Burmester won the Sun City Challenge to pick up his second career victory on the Sunshine Tour. Hyojoo Kim completed a remarkable weekend for Srixon, winning the Kumho Tyre Ladies Open on the Korean LPGA Tour to land her second title this year. Srixon players have now amassed 36 international victories since the start of 2014.

Graeme McDowell in the bag:

• Driver: Cleveland Classic 190 (9º, Miyazaki Kusaka Indigo 56X shaft)
• Fairway wood: Cleveland Launcher FL (14º, Miyazaki Kusala Indigo 72X)
• Irons: Cleveland 588 MT (3-4); Srixon ZTX2 (5-9)
• Wedges: Cleveland 588 PF (48º); Cleveland 588 RTX (52º & 58º)
• Ball: Srixon Z-STAR XV

Por REDACCIÓN