Suber Takes Open Lead Fueled by Titleist Gear Upgrades

Jackson Suber finds himself in an unfamiliar position atop the leaderboard at Royal Birkdale, a course he had never set foot on until earlier this week. The 26-year-old PGA Tour rookie fired a 5-under 65 in the first round of the 154th Open Championship, navigating the tricky links layout for the first time in his career.

While Suber’s mental approach and recent form have been pivotal, he specifically credited two equipment changes for a recent surge in performance. He swapped out an older left-dot Pro V1 golf ball for the new standard Pro V1, citing improvements in consistency, distance, and control. Additionally, Suber replaced a four-year-old Titleist TSR driver with the new Acushnet Holdings Corp. Titleist GTS3 model. He noted that the new driver has added significant length and accuracy off the tee, transforming a previously weak aspect of his game into a strength.

Suber’s round featured a tactical approach, relying on data analytics from his team and local knowledge from his caddie. After a mixed front nine that included two birdies and two bogeys, he gained momentum on the back nine. A highlight reel moment came at the par-5 17th, where he executed a difficult 4-iron from a tricky lie to set up an eagle, vaulting him into the solo lead.

Suber earned his spot in the field via a T-4 finish at the RBC Canadian Open and is currently seeking his first PGA Tour victory. As he eyes the weekend, the performance of his new equipment will continue to be a focal point for observers.

What to watch

• Suber’s performance over the weekend as he contends for his first Tour win.
• Acushnet Holdings Corp. (GOLF) stock movement, currently trading up 1.84% at $116.58.

Source: original release