Sahith Theegala Surprises with New Putter at 3M Open
When Sahith Theegala debuted a new putter in his opening round at the 3M Open, it created quite a stir.
With a solid 5-under 66, the 26-year-old golfer put himself in a good position as the PGA TOUR Regular Season approaches its conclusion.
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With a fresh mindset, Sahith Theegala shot a first-round 5 under 66 at the 3M Open at TPC Twin Cities, positioning himself well as the PGA TOUR Regular Season neared its end. The 26-year-old replaced a gamer in the bag with a new flatstick in an attempt to exact “revenge” on the Minnesota course that hadn’t seen his best play.
Theegala remarked following the opening round at TPC Twin Cities, “Yeah, probably used the same one for eight or nine years pretty much.” “I’ve taken time off from it in the past, but it was just temporary. This week is the same as last; it’s just on the bench.
Theegala switched out his gamer for a Ping PLD Tyne S, which was a Ping Karsten TR 1966 Anser 2 prototype.
Theegala remarked, “I just wanted to see if something different would be interesting.” “This putter is completely different from what I usually use. Although I didn’t get many practice strokes with it, it felt nice anyway.
According to Dylan Goodwin, PGA TOUR representative for Ping, there are two major distinctions between the old and new putters: length and balance.
Goodwin told PGATOUR.COM, “This week he was wanting to test a counterbalance option which we haven’t really explored prior.” We extended it to 38 inches, added a longer, heavier grip, and tried other putter model possibilities that were heavier than his current gamer because he often plays 37 inches.
“He appreciated the stability and simple alignment features offered by the well-liked PLD Tyne S model.”
Theegala, who is now ranked seventh in the FedExCup, will easily advance to East Lake for the FedExCup Playoffs’ final leg. Like all of his rivals, though, he’s trying to figure out what will help him advance. Theegala is ranked 56th on the TOUR in Overall Putting Average going into the 3M Open. That year, he came in fifth.
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“He’s not afraid to putt with something entirely different from Monday through Wednesday, then go back to gaming on Thursday for competition,” Goodwin stated. He claims that it causes him to fall in love with the Anser 2 once more.
However, the new putter worked on a surprising debut when called upon. At the par-4 10th hole, Theegala opened his round with a 23-foot birdie putt. He then added two more birdies at Nos. 16 and 18, then circled the fifth and sixth holes in back-to-back fashion in a round free of bogeys.
Theegala will need more persuasion, though, in order to give up the old gaming permanently. It’s going to find its way back. In reality, I’ve been putting okay; I’ve just had a string of three or four poor putting weeks where I lost a little bit, Theegala said.
Therefore, when the chips are down, don’t be shocked to see old trusty back in the game. “Playoffs is when the gamer will likely return,” Theegala smiled.