How a broken 6-iron in Scotland helped Pepperell win British Masters
How a quick Mizuno Swing DNA and Shaft Optimizer session helped Pepperell win the British Masters.
Eddie Pepperell was left to thank breaking his 6-iron two weeks ago at the Dunhill Links Championship at St Andrews, as the shaft switch he made with his club sponsor Mizuno made a world of difference at the British Masters last week.
Pepperell, who was recently fitted to Mizuno's stunning new JPX919 Tour irons, needed a 6-iron shaft in Scotland after the Mizuno workshop had left, and the 27-year-old had to raid a local shop ‘Auchterlonies’ for an emergency replacement.
All that was available at short notice was the KBS C Taper that he used in his 6-iron, something Mizuno's Tour technician Matt McIsaac said "he was hitting all his best shots with."
TESTED: MIZUNO JPX 919 IRONS; HOW ARE THEY DIFFERENT?
On Monday afternoon of the British Masters, Mizuno had a filming session booked with Pepperell to demonstrate its Shaft Optimizer – a fitting tool used through its retail fitting network.
With no script to follow, McIsaac took Pepperell through Mizuno’s three swing diagnostic process and by some coincidence – it recommended the KBS C Taper. The same shaft Pepperell had picked up at Auchterlonies in St Andrews.
One new set of JPX919 Tour irons, with KBS C Taper shafts later and Pepperell was a wire-to-wire winner of the British Masters.
READ: PEPPERELL'S CADDIE TALKS EXCLUSIVELY TO GOLFMAGIC
“There’s a ‘best fit’ shaft for everyone – for Eddie it was the KBS C Taper – for someone else it will be the S Taper," said McIsaac.
"Wait for the moment when you’re open to improvement, throw away your preconceptions and try the Optimizer. It doesn’t know if you’re male, female a tour winner or a 24 hcp – just measures your move and finds the best shaft for it."
Pepperell, who also won the Qatar Masters earlier this season, has now climbed up to a career-high 33rd in the world and seventh in the European Tour's Race to Dubai standings.
He also uses Mizuno's T7 wedges in 46, 50, 56 and 60-degree models, as well as a Mizuno MP-18 MMC Fli-Hi 2-iron.
For more information about Mizuno's Swing DNA and Shaft Optimizer, and all the current Mizuno products, please visit golf.mizunoeurope.com
Andy first joined the brand on a month's work experience back in April 2011, and he now assumes the Editor role. When Andy joined GolfMagic it was a small site with potential.
