• Ninety-six players competing in this week's U.S. Open at Congressional Country Club are playing Titleist golf balls, more than five times the nearest competitor with 19 and more than all competitors combined.

Titleist is also first this week in iron sets (44); sand, lob and approach wedges (132); and putters (51).

• As you'd expect with major championships, the majority of our Titleist Brand Ambassadors came to Congressional this week not thinking about making any tweaks or changes to their equipment setup. Their main focus, of course: Getting to know Congressional and all its U.S. Open obstacles.

• Titleist Brand Ambassador Rory McIlroy, who made an early trip to Congressional last Wednesday and Thursday to begin his major prep, is putting this week with a Scotty Cameron Newport GSS Prototype in a chromatic bronze finish (pictured above).

Rory has gamed a few Scotty Cameron putters over the last two seasons, playing the majority of events with a Newport Fastback. After a recent session with his putting instructor, Rory decided that the toe flow of the Newport GSS style was working better with his putting stroke.

The Scotty Cameron team built Rory the Newport GSS Prototype last season at the WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship. He's put it into play in a few times over the last year and has always kept it in his travel bag.

Through Rory's first 36 holes at Congressional (11-under, 65-66) he has averaged 1.58 putts per green in regulation.

Another new edition to the bag this week (pictured): The Circle T USA Flag headcover that was given to loyal Scotty Cameron putter players to commemorate the event.

• Titleist Brand Ambassador S.Y. Noh stopped by the Titleist Tour Van looking for a flatter ball flight with his Titleist 910Fd 13.5º 3-wood with Mitsubishi Rayon Diamana Kai'li 60 shaft.

Titleist Senior Club Fitting Analyst Deno Antenucci adjusted the SureFit Tour hosel of S.Y.'s club from D•4 (+.75º more loft, standard lie) to A•1 (standard loft, standard lie), bringing the effective loft from 14.25º back to 13.5º.

After testing out the new setting, S.Y. and his caddie decided that A•1 was the best option for this week, and Deno re-gripped the club at that setting.

Vokey Tour Rep Aaron Dill also built S.Y. some new Vokey Design Spin Milled wedges with fresh grooves.

• Bud Cauley made his debut as both a professional and a Titleist Brand Ambassador this week at Congressional, where he opened with an even-par 71.

Bud, an All-American at Alabama and a member of the victorious 2009 U.S. Walker Cup team, stopped by the TTV to say hello. After the U.S. Open, Bud will begin working with the team to make sure he is gaming an optimal setup.