Two-Time Major Winner John Daly to Tee-Up Vertical Groove Driver in 146th Open Championship

1995 Open Champion, and Driving Distance Leader on PGA TOUR Champions, Daly Will Play Golf’s Only Vertical Groove Driver at Royal Birkdale in England

(Boston, MA) - On the heels of a victory at the U.S. Senior Open, the new, cutting-edge Vertical Groove Driver will be played by two-time major champion, John Daly, in the 146th Edition of the Open Championship, taking place July 16th-23rd at Royal Birkdale Golf Club in England. This marks the first professional appearance for the driver in Europe and coincides with Vertical Groove Golf’s distribution agreement with Anemoi Sport that now offers the driver for purchase to golfers in the UK.

The innovative Vertical Groove Driver, which continues to gain popularity amongst professionals and amateurs, already has two tour victories in only its first season in the market, including a Major Championship.  In May, Daly captured his first professional tournament victory since 2004, using the Vertical Groove Driver to win the Insperity Invitational at the Woodlands Country Club in Texas. One the game’s premier drivers, Daly’s major wins include the 1995 Open Championship at famed St. Andrews Link in Scotland, and the 1991 PGA Championship at Crooked Stick Golf Club, in Carmel, Indiana.

Coming off the U.S. Senior Open victory, the Vertical Groove Driver is ranked #1 and #2 in driving distance on the PGA Tour Champions, while a host of players, including Daly and 2016 Sr. PGA Champion, Rocco Mediate, are currently playing the only driver to feature vertical groove face technology.

“We were confident that professional success would come quickly for the Vertical Groove Driver, but two wins, including a Major, in just six months has exceeded our expectations,” said Rubin Hanan, COO/Managing Partner, Vertical Groove Golf. “What excites us even more is the increasing number of players who are teeing up the driver on the PGA Tour Champions each week. In fact, we now command the #1 and #2 positions in driving distance on the tour, which speaks volumes to the performance attributes of this product.”

Hanan adds, “More amateurs continue to see the benefits of the driver at the professional level, and are going Vertical.  Having John Daly play the driver in the prestigious Open Championship gives us great exposure in Europe, especially as we have just expanded our distribution into the UK, which is the #4 golf market in the world.”

The cutting edge Vertical Groove Driver, which conforms to the Rules of Golf, is designed to reduce spin at impact, forcing tighter dispersion and leading to, on average, up to 40% straighter ball flight and up to 10 yards further in driving distance.

The 450cc Vertical Groove Driver, which is available in both right and left handed models, is offered in 8, 9.5, 10.5 and 12 degree lofts (right) and 9.5 and 10.5 degree lofts (left), while featuring a full range of Aldila premium grade, tour-proven aftermarket NV2K series shafts as standard.  The available flexes include: 45 gram L (Ladies), 50 gram A (Senior), 55 gram R (Regular), 65 gram S (Stiff) and 65 gram X (Extra-stiff).   At a length of 45.5 inches, the Vertical Groove Driver provides an optimum launch angle while maximizing carry distance and ball speed for many players. It is equipped with Golf Pride Tour Velvet grips in standard, midsize and oversize models.  Alternative shaft options from Fujikura, Mitsubishi and Aldila also will be available. Suggested retail price of the Vertical Groove Driver is $399.99.

More information on the Vertical Groove Driver is available at www.vertgolf.com or via social media profiles on Facebook and YouTube at Vertical Groove Golf, and @vertgolf on Twitter.