Ping staff players sported new equipment to kick off the FedEx Cup, starting with The Barclays.
Runner-up Kevin Sutherland had a new Ping Rapture V2 driver in the bag for the week. He averaged 287 yards off the tee (18th best in the field) and hit 64.3 percent of fairways (T21).
Sutherland said that while the course didn't seem to fit his eye off the tee, he felt good about how he played.
"I played well all week, really consistent," he said on Sunday. "I shot four solid rounds, and unfortunately I just didn't make the birdie on last hole here in this playoff." The Rapture V2 driver is one of several products that Ping announced at its recent sales meeting and which will be available at retail in late September. Ping will also introduce Rapture V2 fairway woods, hybrids and irons, as well as the S57 irons that have already seen some success on tour.
The driver incorporates tungsten weights in the back, heel and toe of the titanium clubhead to create lower spin and higher launch while limiting clubhead twisting. The variable thickness face is taller and the crown, which features a new "Double-Rapture" alignment aid, tapers.
"Each of the new designs combines key properties of its various materials to optimize performance," said John Solheim, Ping Chairman and CEO. "The common material throughout all of the new products is tungsten."
Ping also has a new putter that uses tungsten in its construction. Hunter Mahan used the new iWi putter with interchangeable weight inserts to finish in a tie for 31st at The Barclays, highlighted by a first-round 62.
"I put it in after the PGA, so I've been using it for two weeks now," said Mahan after his round Thursday. "As soon as I grabbed it, put it down, it just looked good to me. I liked the feel and just been using it the last couple of weeks and been feeling great.
"I love the feel, love the setup and it's rolling great for me," he said.
The iWi is available in six models: Anser, Zing, B60, D66, Craz-E and 1/2 Craz-E. Mahan used the D66 model.
Each putter comes with two 12-gram steel weights on the sole - one near the heel and one near the toe. Golfers will be able to buy an optional weight kit with 20- and 28-gram tungsten weights to modify the putter to best fit their strokes.
"From the driver to the putters, we've utilized the density of tungsten in strategic locations to optimize weight distribution and maximize performance," Solheim said. "Plus, they all offer multiple fitting variables to ensure golfers can be properly fit for every club in their bag."
The drivers will retail for $500 when available in September. The iWi putters will cost $190 for five models, $220 for the Craz-E and $70 for the weight kit.
