TaylorMade Tour Staff Professional Darren Clarke captured the Open Championship Sunday, realizing a lifelong dream of hoisting the Claret Jug after delivering a virtuoso performance at Royal St. George’s. Exceptional ballstriking and true grit fueled Clarke’s emotionally charged victory at the Open, his first major championship win in 54 attempts.

“it’s been a dream since i’ve been a kid to win The Open, like any kid’s dream is, and i’m able to do it, which just feels incredible, incredible right now,” Clarke said.

With the win, Clarke, 42, became the oldest Open Champion since 1967 and left little doubt about the celebration to ensue in his home country of Northern Ireland. Clarke also moved to No. 30 in the Official World Golf Rankings and now ranks sixth in the Race to Dubai.

Darren Clarke’s Setup for the 2011 Open Championship:

• Driver: TaylorMade R11 9*
• Fairway Wood: TaylorMade R9 13*
• Hybrid: TaylorMade Rescue 09 TP 19*
• Irons: TaylorMade Tour Preferred MB irons (4-PW)
• Wedges: TP xFT ZTP 50* wedge, TP xFT ZTP 54* wedge, TP xFT ZTP 58*
• Ball: TaylorMade Penta TP golf ball

www.taylormadegolf.com

Find out what golf clubs Nike Athletes: Paul Casey, Stewart Cink, Simon Dyson, Lucas Glover, Scott Jamieson, Anthony Kim, Justin Leonard, Francesco Molinari, and Charl Schwartzel have in their bag at the 2011 Open Championship.

Paul Casey

• Driver: Nike VR Tour 10.5-degree (Diamana White Board 73 X)
• Fairway Wood: Nike SQ II 3-wood/15-degree
• Irons: Nike VR Pro Blade (7-PW); Nike VR Pro Combo (2-6)
• Wedges: Nike VR Pro 52 and Nike VR Pro 59-degree
• Putter: Nike Method Prototype
• Ball: Nike ONE Tour

Stewart Cink

• Driver: Nike VR Tour 9.5-degree (UST Black VTS 6X)
• Fairway Wood: Nike SQ II 3-wood/15-degree
• Irons: Nike VR Pro Combo (5-PW), Nike Pro Combo OS (2-4)
• Wedges: Nike VR Pro 54 and Nike VR Pro 60
• Putter: Nike Method 005
• Ball: Nike 20XI X

Simon Dyson

• Driver: Nike SQ Sumo Squared 10.5-degree (UST Attas Dyson Proto)
• Fairway Wood: Nike SQ II 3-wood/15-degree, Nike VR 5-wood/19-degree
• Irons: Nike VR Pro Combo (4-PW)
• Wedges: Nike VR Pro 52-degree, 60-degree and 62-degree
• Ball: Nike ONE Tour D

Lucas Glover

• Driver: Nike SQ Sumo Squared Tour 9.5-degree (Apache Matrix F7 M2)
• Fairway Woods: Nike SQ II 3-wood/13-degree
• Hybrid: Nike Pro Combo 18-degree
• Irons: Nike VR Pro Combo (3-PW)
• Wedges: Nike VR Pro 54-degree and VR Pro 59-degree
• Putter: Nike Method 003
• Ball: Nike ONE Tour D

Scott Jamieson

• Driver: Nike VR Tour 9.5-degree (UST Axivcore Red 79x)
• Fairway Wood: Nike VR Pro Prototype 3-wood/15-degree
• Irons: Nike VR Pro Combo (2-PW)
• Wedges: Nike VR Pro 54-degree and Nike VR Pro 58-degree
• Putter: Nike Method Core MC-4i
• Ball: Nike 20XI X

Anthony Kim

• Driver: Nike VR Pro Prototype 8.5-degree (Matrix Ozik D04 proto)
• Fairway Wood: Nike VR Pro Prototype 3-wood/15-degree
• Irons: Nike VR Pro Combo (2-3), VR Pro Blade (4-PW)
• Wedges: Nike VR 54 and Nike VR Pro 60-degree
• Putter: Nike Method 001
• Ball: Nike 20XI S

Justin Leonard

• Driver: Nike SQ Machspeed Black 10.5-degrees (UST Attas 6 X)
• Irons: Nike VR Pro Combo (2-3), VR Pro Blade (4-PW)
• Wedges: Nike VR 54-degree and VR 59-degree
• Putter: Nike Method 003
• Ball: Nike 20XI X

Francesco Molinari

• Driver: Nike VR Pro 9.5-degree (Mitsubishi Kai’li 70x)
• Fairway Wood: Nike SQ II 3-wood/13-degree
• Irons: Nike VR Pro Combo (2-PW)
• Wedges: Nike VR Pro 52-degree and 58-degree
• Putter: Nike Method Core Prototype
• Ball: Nike 20XI X

Charl Schwartzel

• Driver: Nike VR Tour 8.5-degree (Fuji Rombax 7V05 S)
• Fairway Wood: Nike SQ II 3-wood/13-degree
• Irons: Nike VR Pro Combo (2), VR Pro Blade (3-PW)
• Wedges: Nike VR Pro 54-degree and 59-degree
• Putter: Nike Method 004 Prototype
• Ball: Nike ONE Tour D

www.nikegolf.com

Tiger Woods practicing with Nike METHOD 003 Mid Mallet putter at Ryder Cup-Image via Scotty Holcombe http://twitpic.com/2sstxx

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The last time Tiger Woods switched putters was in St. Andrews for the British Open, where he played the Nike METHOD 001.  Today at the Ryder Cup practice rounds, Tiger was spotted using the Nike METHOD 003 Mid Mallet putter. The bigger question remains, will he put this putter in his bag this Friday? My guess, is that he’ll probably switch out putters, if the greens are slow at Celtic Manor, to get the ball rolling faster and easily.

What do you think? Will Tiger switch out the Scotty Cameron again, in favor of the Nike METHOD 003?

It was bound to happen eventually with Tiger’s putting problems this year, Tiger has committed to switching out his Scotty Cameron putter for the Nike METHOD 001 putter at the 2010 British Open.

In the video Tiger talks to ESPN’s Tom Rinaldi about his decision to switch putters at the British Open. One of the reasons, are the slow greens at St. Andrews and the METHOD gets the ball rolling faster, and more easily than with his old putter.

It should be interesting to see how well Tiger putts this week at the Open Championship. Can’t wait to find out!

www.nikegolf.com

Nike Golf's Stewart Cink

It’s British Open Week and Nike Golf has just released a video of Stewart Cink, the 2009 defending Open Champ. In this video learn about what the victory at the Open meant to him, how he prepares for golf Majors, and more!

Make sure to look closely at the side of Stewart Cink’s staff bag during the Open Championship.

Good Luck Stewart!

www.nikegolf.com

The 2010 Open Championship at St. Andrews is set to begin in July, and Nike Golf has a great contest for you to show your love for the defending Open Champion Stewart Cink. One lucky person will have their message  appear on Stewart Cink’s Nike Staff Bag!

Send Stewart Cink a Personal Message Contest

Here’s how to enter:

The Contest runs from 12:00 pm (PST) on June 24, 2010 to 11:00 pm (PST) on July 1, 2010 .

1. Open your Twitter account and tweet a supporting message for Stewart Cink at the OPEN using “your message..#GoCink @NikeGolf”.
2. Follow @nikegolf and @stewartcink on Twitter.
3. Check back on July 12, 2010 to see if your message was chosen to appear on his Nike Staff Bag.

You can enter as many times as you like.

For more information visit Nike Golf’s Facebook page.

World Golf Hall of Famer and 8 time major championship winner, Tom Watson, and Tom Watson Productions announced today the release of a 2010 comprehensive golf instructional two-DVD set titled ‘Tom Watson – Lessons of a Lifetime’.

Tom Watson-image Weekend-golfer.com

The two-DVD set containing close to three hours of golf instruction and an accompanying booklet of 44 lessons was filmed at The Greenbrier Resort, where Watson is Golf Professional Emeritus. This instructional program is the ultimate learning experience, covering all facets of the game-from the grip to full shots, to chipping, putting and the secret of his timeless swing, plus specialty shots including those required in strong wind conditions.

Directed by award-winning Terry Jastrow, ‘Lessons of a Lifetime’ embodies the practical experiences and competitive winning strategies that have earned Watson professional recognition as one of the greatest players of all time. “Tom Watson applies the same sense of determination and purpose in his new DVD instructional set,” says Jastrow, “as he has to his competitive golf game. It’s fifty years of experience from one of the game’s masters.”

Watson ranks 6th on the list of total major championship victories with more wins than Bobby Jones, Sam Snead, Arnold Palmer and Phil Mickelson. Watson is one of only fourteen players to have won at least three of the four golfing major titles.

About the DVD Set
Encyclopedic in its skill and strategy coverage, ‘Lessons of a Lifetime’ is a defining instructional medium and will be a must for beginning golfers and weekend warriors as well as experienced golfers wanting to step up their game. Watson says, “It’s very important that golfers-whether they are beginners or have played for 50 years-learn and understand the fundamentals. These are the building blocks every golfer needs to have in order to play up to their potential but, more importantly, to have fun.”

From playing in the wind, to hooking and slicing, to fearless putting, Watson breaks them down in an easy-to-understand manner. Golfers can begin applying these lessons of a lifetime the next time they stand on the first tee with their friends. Watson teaches his lessons of his lifetime as if golfers are there with him.

“I was fortunate to have received excellent instruction early in my life,” says Watson, a Kansas City, Missouri native who shows no signs of slowing down. “When I was 6 years old, my father, Ray Watson, cut down a hickory-shafted 5-iron, then proceeded to teach me the grip, and how to hook and slice the ball-all the basic fundamentals of the game. It’s all this knowledge I’ve accumulated that I’d like to share with golfers in ‘Lessons of a Lifetime.’ ”

Consistency, contact, alignment, firmness of grip, pivot points, release, rhythm and legendary coach, Harvey Penick’s “dead-aim” philosophy are all covered in the two comprehensive DVDs. Watson’s instruction comes across in an easy-to-understand manner making it seem your standing right beside him on the tee or green.

Watson, a graduate of Stanford University, was elected to the World Golf Hall of Fame in 1988 and owns 39 PGA TOUR victories, including five British Opens, two Masters and one U.S. Open. The latter victory was keyed by Watson’s 71st-hole birdie chip-in at Pebble Beach, a shot many historians consider to be the shot of the 20th century.

Last year Watson pulled off one of sports history’s most-memorable moments when he made an incredible bid for his sixth Open Championship title, taking Stewart Cink to a four-hole playoff at Turnberry. Four of Watson’s seven top-10 finishes on the 2009 Champions Tour came in major championships.

This year Watson opened his season by teaming with Jack Nicklaus to win the Wendy’s Champions Skins Game. The following week, Watson birdied the final two holes for a 7-under 65 and a one-stroke victory over Champions Tour rookie sensation Fred Couples in the season-opening Mitsubishi Electric Championship.

Watson has long-standing professional relationships with Adams Golf, Golf Digest, The Greenbrier Resort, MasterCard and Polo Ralph Lauren.

Supports a Good Cause
The two-DVD set finishes with a moving tribute to Watson’s ‘caddie for life’, Bruce Edwards, who passed away in April 2004 from ALS, or Lou Gehrig’s Disease. The tribute concludes with a song written and composed by Watson’s stepdaughter, Kelly Paige. A portion of the sales of ‘Lessons of a Lifetime’ will go to help find a cure for this dreaded, life-ending disease.

The Tom Watson ‘Lessons of a Lifetime’ DVD set is now available for $49.95 at select golf and sporting goods retailers, pro shops and on-line at www.tomwatsondvd.com.

The set is also available to purchase by telephone at 1-800-993-5589.

DIRECTV satellite tv will make its interactive debut at the “The Open Championship” on July 16 and 17, completing its coverage of all of golf’s majors for the 2009 season following last month’s successful run at the U.S. Open Championship.

Featuring its industry-first four-screens-in-one HD Mix channel and an innovative lineup of interactive services, “The British Open Experience” will bring a new level of excitement to golf fans watching the annual battle for the historic Claret Jug at the 138th Open Championship on the scenic Alisa course at Turnberry.

Three additional channels and DIRECTV’s industry-leading interactive features will supplement TNT’s live coverage of the Open’s first two rounds – all available in HD and at no extra charge for DIRECTV customers.

As has been the case with interactive services for golf’s previous major championships, Mix Channel viewers will see the home network channel and three additional channels:

• Featured Holes – Devoted exclusively to a trio of Turnberry’s most historic and renowned holes 9, 10 and 11, over the tournament’s first two rounds.
• 18th Hole – May be the most famous among the 7,204 yards of winding links at Turnberry, the 18th hole has been lengthened by 29 yards with a third bunker added at driving distance, along with two bunkers protecting the approach.
• Highlights Channel – Offers updating highlights throughout the day, plus interviews with the top golfers as they start or finish their rounds.

Each of the extra channels, offered in both standard definition and HD, is fully produced with its own production crew and announcers and will be presented without commercial interruption. Customers with interactive receivers can view all four channels in the Mix format and use their remote to listen to any channel’s audio or tune directly to the full-screen channel.

The interactive services, available by pressing the red button on the remote, include a look at the top five leaders; the full leaderboard, with the ability to select any golfer for in-depth, hole-by-hole stats; a five-question, daily trivia contest on The Open Championship’s rich history ; and a “Tune To” menu item that allows the viewer to tune directly to the Mix Channel (701) and any one of the four channels (702-705), including the main network feed.

This amazing extended coverage really makes me wish I still had DIRECTV.

For more information visit DIRECTV

Looking for another way to follow the 2009 British Open from Turnberry, Scotland  without being glued to your television? If you have an Apple iPhone, your in luck, thanks to free The Open Championship iPhone app from OOSOCIAL.

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The iPhone app provides live news, fully integrated twitter feed (tweets and twitpics) from @opengolf2009, Leaderboard information, Tee Times, Player Bios, videos, and course details with video flyovers.

When the Open starts on July 16th-19th, 2009 you’ll be able to receive live updates, scores, and weather updates.  Don’t miss out on the action if you can’t be at home and download this free app!

Don’t have an iPhone, no problem. You can follow updates on twitter , Facebook, and The Open Championship-Official Website.

Ever wanted to know what Tiger Woods, Anthony Kim, Lucas Glover, and Stewart Cink will be wearing At the 2009 British Open in Turnberry, Scotland? The industry term for this is called scripting, and I just received the scripting document for Nike Golf Athletes competing at the 2009 British Open July 16th-19th, 2009. The clothing is from the Fall/Holiday 09 collections.

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For more information, visit http://www.nike.com/nikegolf