Titleist Brand Ambassador Ben Curtis’ win last week at the Valero Texas Open was the first on the PGA Tour by a player using a full set of Titleist AP1 irons. AP1 irons are the most forgiving model in the Titleist irons lineup, with key improvements in the latest generation (712 Series) adding forgiveness without sacrificing shot control.

AP1 irons are more forgiving because of their efficient, high MOI design that utilizes a high density tungsten sole weight inside the lower cavity of the stainless steel body. The use of pure tungsten (17 g/cc) allows for a more optimum weight distribution, increasing MOI while maintaining the blade length. This translates to more consistent ball speed over a wider area of the clubface for improved distance control with the same workability as prior generation AP1 irons.

"For me it's all about performance, what are my misses like?" says Curtis, who ranked first in Greens in Regulation at the Valero Texas Open. "The AP1s are more forgiving so they give you a little more room for error."

Appearance improvements to the AP1 irons include a new beveled topline and smoother hosel blend for a traditional shape with a more precise address profile. The AP1 irons also feature progressive blade lengths throughout the set for a confidence-inspiring look in the longer irons and increased playability in the shorter irons.

For more information about the technology behind the AP1 irons, be sure to check out the above video. And to advance your game with the new AP1 irons, please visit an authorized Titleist fitting partner.

This weeks tournament see's the Asian Tour and European Tour head to Blackstone Resort, Seoul Korea for the co-sanctioned Ballantines Championships. Team Titleist not only caught up with some of our Titleist Brand Ambassadors at the event, but also had a peak inside the Titleist Tour Van that was on site. Be sure to check out our slideshow below:

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BEN CURTIS CAPTURES VALERO TEXAS OPEN TRUSTING
TITLEIST EQUIPMENT FROM TEE-THROUGH-GREEN
Becomes first Player to Win on PGA TOUR Playing New Titleist AP1 Irons

Fairhaven, MA (April 23, 2012) – To achieve success at the game's highest level, you have to believe in yourself and your golf equipment. Relying upon the Pro V1x golf ball and a complete bag of Titleist golf clubs for every shot, Titleist Brand Ambassador Ben Curtis demonstrated confidence, control and determination to capture the Valero Texas Open for his fourth career PGA Tour title. Three additional wins for Titleist golf ball loyalists this week include Lee Westwood’s victory at the Indonesian Masters, providing continued proof that when it comes to superior performance when it matters most, more of the world’s best trust Titleist.

WHAT'S IN BEN'S BAG?: Pro V1x golf ball, 910D3 (8.5) driver, 910Fd (13.5) fairway metal, 910H (18.0, 20.0) hybrids, AP1 (4-PW) irons, Vokey Design approach (52) and Vokey TVD sand (58) wedges, Scotty Cameron Studio Select Newport 2 putter.

JUST THE STATS: Trusting Titleist equipment from tee-through-green, Curtis was statistically No. 1 in Greens in Regulation (68.1%), No. 2 in Driving Accuracy (73.2%), and No. 3 in Strokes-Gained Putting (2.061). He also finished among the top 20 in Putts Per GIR (1.694/15th) and Putts Per Round (27.3/T19th).

FOUR THE WIN: Curtis captured the Valero Texas Open by holding off two players, including a surging John Huh (Pro V1) for a two-stroke victory. Curtis made a clutch save on the 17th, converting a 20-foot putt for par. He then birdied the par-5 18th for a closing round of even par 72, and a 9-under 279 victory total. The win is the fourth of Curtis’ PGA TOUR career, and first since 2006 (his previous victories came at the 2003 Open Championship, 2006 Booz Allen Classic and the 2006 84 LUMBER Classic).

Defending champion, Titleist Brand Ambassador Brendan Steele (Pro V1x, 910D3 driver, 909H hybrid, MB irons, Vokey Design SM4 approach wedge, Vokey TVD sand and lob wedges) closed with a bogey-free 5-under 67 to tie for 4th with Bob Estes (Pro V1), Brian Gay (Pro V1x) and Charlie Wi (Pro V1).

NINE OF 10: Of the top 10- finishers at the event, nine trusted Titleist golf balls for their success.

NO. 1 FOR AP1: The win marks the first PGA TOUR victory for a player using Titleist's new AP1 irons. The AP1 is a complement to Titleist’s popular AP2, the choice among many players on the PGA TOUR. The AP1 is designed to provide increased forgiveness, yet playable enough to win a PGA TOUR event. To learn more about the new Titleist AP1, please visit: http://www.titleist.com/golf-clubs/irons/AP1.aspx

WINNING: Four more official wins across the worldwide professional tours by Titleist golf ball loyalists brings the year-to-date victory total to 48, eight times more than the nearest competitor with 6. Ben Curtis’ victory advances Titleist’s win total to 12 on the PGA TOUR, compared to 2 for the nearest competitor. In addition to golf balls, Titleist is tops in players and wins on the PGA TOUR in the iron (575 players/6 wins), wedge (1,924/7) and putter (861/5) categories.

CHAMPIONS TOUR: The two-man team of Michael Allen (Pro V1x) and David Frost (Pro V1) captured the Liberty Mutual Legends of Golf, posting a 29-under 187 total, one shot better than four teams. Their team performance included three nearly flawless rounds of 62-63-62 in the better-ball format.

ASIAN TOUR: Pro V1x loyalist Lee Westwood successfully defended his title at the CIMB NIAGA Indonesian Masters. Westwood finished at 16-under 272 after playing 32 holes on Sunday in the weather -delayed event. Thaworn Wiratchant (Pro V1x) shot a final round 67 to take solo 2nd place, while Titleist Brand Ambassador Gaganjeet Bhullar of India (Pro V1x, 910 D2 driver, AP2 irons, Vokey Design pitching, sand and lob wedges, Scotty Cameron Studio Select Newport putter) and fellow countryman Shiv Kapur (Pro V1x) tied for 3rd at 12-under 276, as Titleist golf ball loyalists secured the top four spots in the event.

Of the 13 players who finished among the top-10 at the Indonesian Masters, 8 trusted a Titleist golf ball for their success.

JAPAN TOUR: Hiroyuki Fujita (Pro V1, 909H hybrid, Vokey Design wedges, Scotty Cameron putter) came from behind to win the Tsuruya Open by four shots following a final round 4-under par 67 en route to a 15-under 269 victory total. The win was the 12th of Fujita's 18-year JGTO career, including his second Tsuruya Open title in three years. Kyoung-Hoon Lee, a 20-year old from Korea (Pro V1x) who was medalist at the 2011 Q-School Final, finished solo 2nd. Fellow "young gun", 18-year old full product line Titleist Brand Ambassador, Masahiro Kawamura, tied for 3rd, another shot back.

SOUTH AFRICAN TOUR: It was a 1-2 finish for Titleist Pro V1x players at the Golden Pilsner Zimbabwe Open, where Chris Swanepoel defeated Titleist Brand Ambassador Trevor Fisher, Jr. (Pro V1x) in a sudden death playoff. Swanepoel, who started the final round five strokes off the lead, fired a 10 birdie, 8-under-par round of 64, good for a 15-under 273 victory total. Fisher fired a final round 3-under 69 to match Swanepoel and force the extra holes. On the second playoff hole, Swanepoel claimed the title with a tap-in for par. The win marks the third victory on the Sunshine Tour for Swanepoel and his first in playoff fashion.

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Contact: Joe Gomes, Director of Communications, Acushnet Company (508.979.3211)