August 31, 2008

After a five-week break from competition, PING pro Gregory Havret returned in top form to win the Johnnie Walker Championship at Gleneagles on the European Tour. The Frenchman led from start to finish in securing his third career title but needed a par-saving 10-foot putt on the final hole. It was his second win in Scotland in just over a year after claiming the title at the 2007 Scottish Open at Loch Lomond.

Havret’s title, together with wins on the European Seniors and Challenge Tours, completed a sweep of the men’s events in Europe for the weekend. The winners at the Travis Perkins Senior Masters and the ECCO Tour Championship both relied on PING equipment in their victories.

An opening round 68 (5-under-par) staked Havret to a one-shot lead at Gleneagles. He followed with rounds of 71, 69 and 70 to earn a one-shot victory and move into 29th on the European Order of Merit. For the week, Havret stats proved why he came out on top in the prestigious event as he ranked 2nd in putting, 3rd in greens-in-regulation and 4th in driving accuracy

The 29-year-old played 14 PING clubs en route to his dramatic victory. He played a Rapture driver (9°), G10 3-wood, Rapture hybrid (18°), S58 irons (3-PW), Tour-W wedges (52° and 58°) and a G5i Craz-E B (mid-length) putter.