What’s In The Bag: Matthieu Pavon

What golf clubs does the French PGA Tour rookie use? Let’s take a look at what’s in the bag for Matthieu Pavon in 2024

Matthieu Pavon became the shortest-priced winner on the PGA Tour this season, following his maiden victory in the States at the Farmers Insurance Open. A Frenchman hasn’t won a PGA Tour recognized event since 1907 when Arnaud Massy conquered all to win the Open Championship. Pavon earned himself a PGA TOUR card having finished 15th in the 2023 Race to Dubai Rankings on the DP World Tour and he’s wasted no time proving he deserves his place in the field in 2024.

Today's Golfer What's In The Bag is brought to you in association with Callaway Chrome Tour and Chrome Tour X golf balls.

Matthieu Pavon claimed his maiden victory on the PGA Tour in just his third start as a PGA Tour member at the Farmers Insurance Open

At the start of day four Pavon found himself just one stroke behind the 54-hole leader, fellow European, Stephan Jaeger. When the Frenchman reached the turn, he was tied at the top with another European, 2023 Ryder Cup rookie, Nicolai Hojgaard. Playing in the final three-ball on Saturday, Hojgaard and Pavon were battling toe-to-toe right up to the 72nd hole.

It seemed as though they were destined to fight it out in a playoff – which would have been very fitting considering the event was pushed forward a day for the NFL playoffs. Hojgaard hit two wonderful shots on eighteen to leave himself an eagle putt while Pavon found the sand off the tee, and then the rough with his next. However, he was able to stick it close from the rough and roll in the eight-footer for birdie. Hojgaard could only match that score on the last making Matthieu Pavon a PGA Tour winner.

Matthieu Pavon played an impressive shot from the rough on 18 to set up a closing birdie for the win

It hasn’t always been plain sailing for the 31-year-old in his golfing career, after 181 bites of the cherry, Pavon finally emerged victorious on the DP World Tour on his 182nd start at the 2023 Open De España. Throughout his career, Pavon has six professional victories including two on the Alps Tour and two on the French Tour.

Despite having somewhat of a slow start to his professional golf career, Pavon appears to be finding his groove in America. He finished in a tie for seventh at the Sony Open and finished inside the top 40 at The American Express before heading to Torrey Pines and picking up his (and France’s) first victory on the PGA Tour.

Sadly, there were no family members in California to celebrate his success, but he could enjoy it with fellow compatriot, Samuel Bernard, who caddies for Francesco Molinari. Victory on the PGA Tour means Pavon is now a member through 2026 and has exemptions into every Signature Event this season, The Players Championship and the Masters. The Frenchaman’s win at the Farmers Insurance Open rewarded him with a $1.62m payout and 500 FedEx Cup Points.

From being the 890th ranked amateur golfer when he turned pro, Matthieu Pavon is now a PGA Tour winner. Let’s take a look at the equipment that helped him realize his dream…

What’s In The Bag: Matthieu Pavon

What driver does Matthieu Pavon use?

Matthieu Pavon plays with a Ping G430 Max Driver (9°) with a Fujikura Ventus TR Black 6-X shaft.

Price: £525.00 / $547.00 RRP
The French star plays with Ping's most forgiving driver model and he isn't the only tour professional who relies on a forgiving driver to get him away off the tee.

Read our full Ping G430 Max driver review.

What fairway woods does Matthieu Pavon use?

Matthieu Pavon uses a Ping G430 LST fairway wood (15°) with a Fujikura Ventus TR Black 7-X shaft

Price: £350.00 / $349.99 RRP
Despite playing with the most forgiving Ping G430 Max driver, Pavon switches things up with the fairway wood. He opts for the low spinning and least forgiving Ping G430 LST fairway wood.

Read our full Ping G430 LST Fairway Wood review.

What hybrid does Matthieu Pavon use?

Matthieu Pavon plays a Ping G430 hybrid (19°) with a Fujikura Ventus Black HB 10-TX shaft

Price: £295.00 / $329.99 RRP
Some golfers love hybrids and others hate them. Pavon is definitely in the love-them camp. Being a Ping staffer it's no surprise to see a Ping G430 hybrid in the Frenchman's bag.

The PGA Tour rookie carries a 19° hybrid which ties in very closely with his Ping i230 3-iron - but I'm not going to argue with a winner on both sides of the Atlantic.

Read our full Ping G430 Hybrid review.

What irons does Matthieu Pavon use?

Matthieu Pavon has made the switch to the new Ping i230 irons (3-PW) with Nippon Modus 120 X-Stiff shafts

Price: £180.00 / $190.00 RRP (per club)
Unlike Viktor Hovland and Maja Stark, Pavon has made the switch from the very popular Ping i210 irons to the outstanding Ping i230 irons. Has he made the right decision? Absolutely! This year on the PGA Tour, the French star ranks 3rd in strokes gained when approaching the green.

Read our full Ping i230 Irons review.

What wedges does Matthieu Pavon use?

Matthieu Pavon plays with two Ping Prototype Wedges (52° and 58°) with Nippon shafts

Pavon carries just two wedges in his bag, a gap wedge and a lob wedge. Both of his wedges are Ping Prototype wedges. Sadly these wedges aren't available to purchase but other Ping tour players rely on their Glide Forged Pro wedges.

Read our full Ping Glide Forged Pro Wedges review.

What putter does Matthieu Pavon use?

6

Ping Cadence TR Tomcat C Putter

Matthieu Pavon's flat stick is a Ping Cadence TR Tomcat C Putter

The putter in Pavon's bag is, unfortunately, one you can no longer buy. The Ping Cadence TR Tomcat C putter in the French starts bag is from 2015. Sadly, Ping haven't continued manufacturing this shape or center shafted putters.

What golf balls does Matthieu Pavon use?

Matthieu Pavon elects to play with Titleist Pro V1 golf balls

Price: £47.95
Alternative Retailers
Scottsdale Golf
£47.99
American Golf
£47.99
Titleist Pro V1 golf balls are the most popular golf balls on Tour, and they are also arguably the best premium golf balls on the market. Titleist have enjoyed a very successful start to the PGA Tour season with all four winners playing with Titleist golf balls.

Pavon's Titleist golf balls are the only items in his bag not manufactured by Ping.

Read our full Titleist Pro V1 Golf Balls review.

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About the author

James Hogg is a Golf Equipment Writer for Today's Golfer, with expert knowledge in putters, golf balls, and apparel.

James Hogg – Golf Equipment Writer

James has a degree in English Language from Newcastle University and an MA in Journalism from Kingston University.

He spent seven years working for American Golf as part of the sales and fitting team alongside his studies and is a specialist in putters, golf balls, and apparel.

James took up golf as a teenager and, thanks largely to his length and consistency off the tee, he plays off a handicap of 4.7 at Cleveland Golf Club.

You can contact James via email for loads more golf equipment insight.

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