Senior British Open Winner Uses GDI Shaft Model in His Driver En Route to Victory

Press Release

Posted 2006-08-06

Graphite Design International ("GDI") - maker of some of the most widely played graphite driver shaft models on the PGA TOUR - today announces the winner of the Senior British Open Championship used a GDI shaft model in his driver while four top-six finishers and the driving distance leader at the U.S. Bank Championship in Milwaukee played GDI models, including the second-place finisher's use of the just-released Pershing model, according to the Darrell Survey.

Using GDI's YS-8.1 shaft in his driver, the winner of the Senior British Open took control with a third-round 69 at Turnberry's Ailsa Course, the only under-par score of the day. He eventually won in a playoff for his fourth victory of the year.

In firing a four-round total of 18-under-par 262, the second-place finisher at the U.S. Bank Championship used GDI's new Pershing model in his 3-wood. The player switched from another shaft brand into the Pershing for the U.S. Bank Championship and matched his best finish of the year. In all, seven Pershing shafts were in play at the event.

Designed to match the swing profiles of a variety of players, four Pershing models (45, 55, 65 and 75) are offered in weights ranging from an ultra-light 45 grams up to 79 grams.

In addition, the driving distance leader at the U.S. Bank Championship used GDI's YS-6 model in his driver, averaging 336.5 yards off the tee. That included a remarkable second-round average of 363.5 yards per drive.

"The resounding success of players using GDI shafts proves yet again the game-enhancing benefits of our products," said Akio Karashima, CEO of GDI. "Made from the finest materials on the market, GDI shafts can propel professionals and amateurs alike to new levels of performance."

On the Japan Tour, GDI led the graphite shaft brand count with 175 shafts in play at The Golf Tournament in Omaezaki, 59 more than the nearest competitor.

Last year, GDI shafts were used by 18 winners on the PGA TOUR and 42 winners worldwide, helping them amass more than $75 million in earnings. They were also played by PGA TOUR leaders in Total Driving (distance plus accuracy), five of the top-10 players in Driving Accuracy Percentage, four of the top-10 money winners, and top-10 players in the World Golf Rankings.

On the Japan Tour, GDI shafts were victorious 16 times in 2005 and have been the most-played brand for a staggering 120 straight tournaments, an unprecedented streak dating back to 2002.