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While Rory McIlroy has been working on his swing in recent weeks, Ryder Cup teammate Tommy Fleetwood has been testing out a new putter – and its first outing couldn’t have gone much better.
The Englishman opened with a 10-under 62 at Yas Links in the Abu Dhabi Championship and would roll in no less than 8 birdies and an eagle.
After his round he was surprised to learn he hadn’t set a new course record – Sami Valimaki hit the same score last year – but there was a lot to like about the 26 putts and 17 greens in regulation.
“It’s a new TaylorMade putter that I’ve been working with at home. The guys at TaylorMade have done an amazing job, designing something a little different. It feels really good,” Fleetwood explained.
“It’s hard these days, I love testing my equipment and testing new and different things but it’s hard the way the system is.
“The tournaments are very closely packed, and there is no big or important event that stands out.
“Having that time at home to work on something I’ve worked hard for and love the most; and like I said, TaylorMade did an amazing job with it, and it feels great. “
Fleetwood’s entry on the PGA Tour left him 87th in this year’s Strokes Gained statistics, up from 14th last year, and is often associated with the Odyssey White Hot Pro #3 blade.
Pure Roll installation technology
But this example uses TaylorMade’s Pure Roll putting technology where the angle grooves are set at 45˚ to promote forward touch, rather than backspin or sidespin.
Most amazing is the look. Back in 2020 TaylorMade released the Truss range which featured a hosel like a triangular bridge, creating more points of contact where the shaft meets the putter head.
The goal was to improve stability and reduce face twist on off-center hits.
After adding a TaylorMade prototype putter to the bag, Tommy Fleetwood shot a bogey-free 62 in the opening round of the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship.
Despite hitting 17 greens again, Fleetwood led the field with just 26 putts with the new club. pic.twitter.com/eyqJBqm8th
– Jack Hirsh (@JR_HIRSHey) November 7, 2024
Another important ingredient is that the likes of Ken Brown and David Howell, two of Europe’s best putters, are interested in Fleetwood’s stroke.
“I always talk to the guys, especially Ken,” Fleetwood said.
“We’ve had some great discussions about putting over the years and I love seeing the boys and talking about the game. It’s just great to be around people who still love the game. It’s just great.
“I like that those guys want the best for me, and are always there to help and have conversations. I love that about golf.
“I have worked with Phil Kenyon for a long time. He is an unbelievable coach. I always feel like I’m a good putter but it doesn’t always show.
“The second half of this year, like in the summer, I haven’t putts as well or converted as many putts as we would have liked.
“We’ve been working on that and I found out I met Ken and Howeller on the course and we were talking about a few things, working on how I’m moving my head on the stroke in a few practice tests and what’s going on there. .
“They’re two of the best players I’ve ever met and any time you talk to those guys, you’re going to pick something up.”
READ MORE: Rory McIlroy and why he plays the TaylorMade Qi10 driver
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