Rasmus Neergaard-Petersen (Pro V1) made three crucial back-nine birdies en route to posting 15 under and winning his first DP World Tour title by one.
The 26-year-old Dane, who began the day with a two-shot lead, was locked in a back-and-forth battle with Titleist Brand Ambassador and major champion Cameron Smith (Pro V1x) over Royal Melbourne’s back nine. Neergaard-Petersen got up-and-down for par on the 18th hole to pull ahead once and for all and secure the victory.
Neergaard-Petersen was dialled-in with his ball-striking all week long in Melbourne, ranking 1st in Strokes Gained: Tee-to-Green (+11.12) with over eight shots (+8.83) coming from his approach play. He also ranked T6 in Greens in Regulation (79%).
Neergaard-Petersen, who locked up a PGA TOUR card for 2026 with his finish in the 2025 Race to Dubai Rankings, also earned an invitation to the 2026 Masters with the victory.
Nobody made more birdies than Smith for the week (20, T1) as he finished solo 2nd at 14 under.
Titleist Brand Ambassador Michael Hollick (Pro V1) closed in 6-under 65 – the low round of the day on Sunday – to finish solo 4th and qualify for the 154th Open Championship.
Rounding out the top 5 was Adam Scott (Pro V1), whose finish also locked up a spot in the field at Royal Birkdale next summer.
RASMUS NEERGAARD-PETERSEN ON HIS PRO V1
“I have been playing with a Titleist Pro V1 golf ball my whole career because I know it is the best model for my game.”
“It’s so important to have that trust in your golf ball especially when hitting approach shots and chipping around the green. Knowing you are going to get that consistent flight and spin on every single shot is vital, no matter what level you play the game.”
“Alignment is also very important to me and that is why I mark my Titleist with a crosshair pattern. Being able to line up my golf ball gives me a lot of confidence to commit to my putting stroke as I know I will be aiming exactly where I need to.”
TITLEIST IS OVERWHELMING #1 BALL, MOST PLAYED IN EVERY EQUIPMENT CATEGORY AT ROYAL MELBOURNE
Titleist was the overwhelming #1 ball at the Australian Open, with 114 players (73%) teeing up a Pro V1 or Pro V1x.
More than half the field (53%) played a Titleist driver, a total that more than doubled the nearest competitor (21%). Titleist fairways (32%) were also the top choice of the field.
Forty-six percent of the iron sets in play were Titleist, more than double the nearest competitor (21%). Titleist was also the most played hybrid (52%) and utility iron (58%).
Vokey Design wedges accounted for 254 gap, sand and lob wedges (56%) – more than all other brands combined.
Fifty-eight players (37%) were gaming a Scotty Cameron putter, the most played putter brand this week in Melbourne.
WITB | CAMERON SMITH
Titleist Pro V1x golf ball; GT3 10.0 driver; NEW T250 4-iron; NEW T150 5-iron; NEW T100 6-9 irons; Vokey Design SM10 46.10F, 52.08F, 56.08M, 60.04T; Scotty Cameron 009M putter
DP WORLD TOUR
KRISTOFFER REITAN (PRO V1) GOES WIRE-TO-WIRE FOR 2nd DP WORLD TOUR VICTORY
Event: Nedbank Golf Challenge (Gary Player Country Club)
Winner: Kristoffer Reitan (17-under 271)
Golf ball: Titleist Pro V1
Kristoffer Reitan (Pro V1) finished on top in South Africa, winning by one for his second career DP World Tour title.
The 27-year-old Norwegian’s wire-to-wire win included rounds of 63-69-67-72.
Reitan made a field-best 20 birdies while leading in Strokes Gained: Off-the-Tee (+5.84), ranking 5th in SG: Tee-to-Green (+9.60) and finishing 3rd in Scrambling (12/16, 75%) for the week in Sun City.
11 of the 14 players who finished inside the top 10 and ties played a Titleist golf ball.
PGA TOUR
HERO WORLD CHALLENGE CHAMPION WINS WITH SCOTTY CAMERON PUTTER
Event: Hero World Challenge (Albany GC, unofficial event)
Winning score: 22-under 266, won in playoff
Winning equipment: Scotty Cameron Newport 2 GSS tour prototype putter
The Hero World Challenge champion rolled in the tournament-winning birdie putt with his Scotty Cameron Newport 2-style blade putter.
He was dialled on the green this week, gaining +2.935 strokes on the field (6th). He also ranked 6th in Putts per GIR, averaging 1.62.
A longtime Scotty Cameron player, the champion has won 10 of his 11 PGA TOUR titles using a Scotty Cameron model, including the last six in a row (not including this week’s unofficial victory).
His win at The Sentry in January came with a Scotty Cameron 009M tour prototype putter, but this week’s gamer was in the bag for the 2024 Genesis Invitational victory.
He won the 2021 Masters with a similar Newport 2-style model.
