After Putting 'Like A Blind Man', Collin Morikawa Makes Successful Mid-Tournament Putter Switch At Rocket Classic

Morikawa ranked last in Strokes Gained: Putting after the first round of the Rocket Classic, but a mid-event putter switch meant he jumped into contention in Detroit

Collin Morikawa watches a putt and his putter in a circle
(Image credit: Getty Images)
Matt Cradock's avatar
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A new piece of equipment can make a huge difference in golf, no matter the skill level.

On Friday at the Rocket Classic, that proved to be just the case, as two-time Major winner, Collin Morikawa, changed his putter to much success at Detroit Golf Club.

Collin Morikawa lines up a putt

Morikawa during the first round of the Rocket Classic

(Image credit: Getty Images)

Admitting that he "putted like a blind man" on Thursday during his first round, Morikawa was rock-bottom of the putting stats in terms of Strokes Gained: Putting, losing 4.614 shots.

However, 24 hours later, after switching from a blade-style putter to a more mallet-shaped design, the American then gained 3.095 shots on the field in terms of Strokes Gained: Putting, which put him 11th in the field.

Previously using the TaylorMade TP Soto, Morikawa introduced a new Logan Olson blade-style putter at last week's Travelers Championship. That model stayed in the bag this week and, after struggles on Thursday, he changed it on Friday.

Currently, the official specs of the new flatstick are yet to be confirmed by TaylorMade, but it has been reported that it might be a prototype Spider. Looking at the head shape, it has a similar appearance to the TP Black Ardmore.

Collin Morikawa lines up a putt

Morikawa strikes a putt during his second round at the Rocket Classic

(Image credit: Getty Images)

Speaking on Thursday after a three-under 69, Morikawa voiced his disdain for his performance on the greens, stating: "It's just an uncomfortable feeling shoving everything and not being able to square up the face. It's tough.

"On greens that are... you've got a lot of poa annua (grass) growing in, you have to just be confident with your stroke, and there was just no confidence today after seeing a couple miss."

Producing a seven-under 64 on Friday, Morikawa is three shots back of leaders Chris Kirk, Philip Knowles and Andrew Putnam.

Ahead of the Rocket Classic, Morikawa split with caddie Joe Greiner, with the duo only working together for five tournaments, registering a best finish of T17.

With former college teammate, K.K. Limbhasut, on the bag, Morikawa will hope to end his winless drought this weekend, which spans back to October 2023.

Matt Cradock
Matt Cradock
Staff Writer

Matt joined Golf Monthly in February 2021 covering weekend news, before also transitioning to equipment and testing. After freelancing for Golf Monthly and The PGA for 18 months, he was offered a full-time position at the company in October 2022 and continues to cover news and social media.

Taking up the game when he was just seven years of age, Matt made it into his county squad just a year later and continues to play the game at a high standard, with a handicap of around 2-4. To date, his best round came in 2016, where he shot a six-under-par 66 having been seven-under through nine holes. His favorite player is Rory McIlroy, despite nearly being struck by his second shot at the 17th during the 2015 BMW PGA Championship.

Matt’s current What’s In The Bag?

Driver: Honma TW747, 8.75°

Fairway Wood: Ping G430 LST 15°, 19°

Irons: TaylorMade P.7CB

Wedges: Cleveland 588 RTX 2.0 Tour Satin, 50°, 56°, 60°

Putter: Cleveland TFI 2135 Satin Cero

Ball: Titleist Pro V1

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