Scottie Scheffler sees major payoff from equipment changes at Hero World Challenge

If you’re in doubt about the prowess of Scottie Scheffler’s ball striking last season, consider this: Scheffler led the PGA Tour in Strokes Gained: Total, averaging 2.314, despite ranking No. 162 in Strokes Gained: Putting (-0.301). In other words, Scheffler excelled with his driver, irons, and wedges, maintaining the lowest scoring average on the PGA Tour despite losing shots on the green.

You might not have been aware of this, but Scheffler certainly was. Prior to PGA Tour events, he’d spend most weeks on the practice green making adjustments, even swapping putters along the way. Scheffler replaced the Scotty Cameron Special Select Timeless Tour prototype he used to win the Players Championship with a TaylorMade Spider Milled prototype at the end of the season, then resorted back to the heel-toe weighted blade.

This week at the Hero World Challenge, in addition to using a new TaylorMade Qi10 LS driver, the same club Rory McIlroy and Tiger Woods are using, the former University of Texas star is also using a new putter from Olson Putter Co.

Logan Olsen, the company founder, handcrafts each putter. The company’s Instagram showcases customized and prototype putters with unique designs. Olsen also creates metal divot tools and ball markers.

Scheffler’s putter shape is reminiscent of the Ping Anser 2, featuring a classic heel-toe weighted blade shape, angular back bumpers, and thin topline. On the tri-sole, stamped in the toe, are numbers 343 and 303, likely referencing the head weight and material used, although these details have not been confirmed.

With only 20 players in the Hero World Challenge hosted by Tiger Woods in The Bahamas, Scheffler heads into the third round tied for the lead, showcasing strong putting. Ranking fifth in the field in Strokes Gained: Putting at 2.491, Scheffler made several putts beyond 20 feet, further highlighting his talented play.

Story originally appeared on GolfWeek