Nippon shafts continued their incredible success as 27-year-old former NCAA champion Braden Thornberry used Nippon Shaft’s N.S. PRO MODUS³ PROTOTYPE steel shafts in his irons to birdie the 18th hole Sunday (Oct. 6) and earn a one-stroke victory at the Korn Ferry Tour Championship thereby earning his PGA Tour card.
It was the first KFT victory for the champion, who started 76th on the points list prior to the start of the KFT playoffs. He shot rounds of 71-72-70-66—279 at the Pete Dye Course at the French Lick Golf Resort in French Lick, Indiana to eke out the win. His payday was $270,000.
The former University of Mississippi star, who had ascended to No. 1 amateur in the world in 2017, was among seven players who use Nippon Shaft steel shafts to earn PGA Tour playing privileges for 2025.
“Nippon Shaft is very excited that the winner of the Korn Ferry Tour Championship and the six other KFT players who use our products have earned their PGA Tour status for next year,” said Hiro Fukuda, sales and marketing for Nippon Shaft. “We wish them all the best as they graduate to golf’s most competitive tour.”
More than 300 players on the PGA Tour, LPGA Tour, European Tour and Korn Ferry Tour use Nippon Shaft’s MODUS³ series steel shafts to help gain their desired distance, accuracy, and trajectory.
Nippon Shaft products are available globally either as stock or custom shafts in many of the world’s top iron brands. Details of these can be found at www.nipponshaft.com