Scottie Scheffler is set to compete for the 2023 U.S. Open title this weekend at Los Angeles Country Club. And as the world's No. 1 golfer prepares to chase his second career major title, he is mulling a critical equipment change.
Scheffler has been testing a new putter in practice ahead of the tournament. He was asked whether it would be his go-to short stick during the U.S. Open, but he didn't provide reporters details about his plan.
"You guys can find out Thursday," Scheffler said, per ESPN.
A club swap would raise eyebrows considering the timing of the decision. Golfers tend not to make major changes ahead of major tournaments, so if Scheffler does swap putters and struggles, many will question his decision.
At the same time, it makes sense that Scheffler would want to change his putter as he looks for his first tournament win since taking the Players Championship in March.
MORE: Ranking the top 30 players in the U.S. Open field from Scottie Scheffler to Phil Mickelson
Here's what to know about the new putter that could be in Scheffler's bag when he tees off at the U.S. Open.
Why is Scottie Scheffler getting a new putter?
The reason is simple: Scheffler hasn't been putting well lately, so he is considering a change, in the hope that it can spark his short game.
This season, Scheffler ranks 148th on the PGA Tour out of 198 qualified golfers in strokes gained putting. He ranks first in strokes gained tee-to-green and sixth in strokes gained around the green. His strength tee-to-green is part of why he has logged 15 consecutive top-15 finishes and a win despite his struggles with the putter.
If Scheffler can figure out his putting stroke, there's a good chance he'll get red-hot late in the tour season.
MORE: Why PGA Tour, LIV Golf joined forces to "unify the game"
What is Scottie Scheffler's new putter?
According to Golf.com, Scheffler's new putter is a Titleist Scotty Cameron Newport 2 Plus. The website reports that while Scheffler will unveil the club at the U.S. Open, he has had it for several weeks and has been working with it at home.
Scheffler said that the putter looks a lot like his old one but is slightly bigger. Golf.com reported the club had a "wider flange (back portion) designed to offer better alignment and a higher [moment of intertia] for forgiveness."
The idea is that the new putter will increase Scheffler's accuracy in putting.
MORE: Why there's no drama between Rory McIlroy and Brooks Koepka
Will Scottie Scheffler use his new putter at the 2023 U.S. Open?
Whether Scheffler will use his new putter at the 2023 U.S. Open isn't clear. He wouldn't commit to a change prior to the tournament. But he was seen practicing with it, so it stands to reason that he is planning to use it.
His thinking seemed to be that practicing with a different putter would help his stroke either way.
"I don't ever take decisions on switching equipment lightly," Scheffler said. "I think it's strange that I've been struggling the past few weeks with my putter. ... I mean, sometimes you just got to bring another putter around there to make the original one scared. I've never really been one to try and overthink things, so I try and keep things as simple as possible."
Regardless of Scheffler's putter choice, all eyes will be on him when he first steps on the green. If he can get off to a quick start with the flat stick, then he should be the man to beat in Los Angeles.
