PGA Tour Pro Makes Mid-Round Grip Change To Move Into WM Phoenix Open Contention
After being over-par through his first few holes, Keith Mitchell changed his putting grip to much success as he moved into contention at TPC Scottsdale


Golfers will go to extreme lengths to improve their golf game and, at the WM Phoenix Open, one PGA Tour winner opted to switch his putting grip mid-round to find some form.
At TPC Scottsdale, Keith Mitchell found himself two-over-par through five holes but, after switching his putter grip, the American found himself 10-under through the next 31 holes.
Mitchell during his second round
Speaking about the move, the former PGA Tour winner explained that: "I flipped my hands on my grip. I started the day yesterday left-hand low for the first five holes and hit zero good putts, so I said, that's enough. Went back to my original conventional grip and was 10-under since then. It's that simple.
"I didn't putt great at Pebble and felt like maybe I could just try to find something magic in a bottle somewhere and maybe left-hand low would be the trick, and it was clearly not the trick. It was worth a shot."
Using his conventional grip, the American moved back into contention at the WM Phoenix Open, with Mitchell determined not to be one of the big players to miss the weekend at the $9.2 million tournament.
"(I've never switched) mid-round, no. I was desperate. I was not going to make the cut, let alone shoot under par if I continued to putt like I did those first five holes."
Gaining more than a half-stroke on the field through two rounds at TPC Scottsdale, Mitchell started the weekend four shots back of leader, Thomas Detry, with the American searching for a first victory since the 2019 Honda Classic.
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Although Mitchell struggled on Saturday, the 33-year-old remains in contention for a strong result at TPC Scottsdale, having already secured three top 35 finishes in his first three tournaments of 2025.
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 weekend news and social media, as well as help look after Golf Monthly’s many buyers’ guides and equipment reviews.
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. He currently plays at Witney Lakes in Oxfordshire and his favourite 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: TaylorMade Rocketballz Stage 2, 15°, 19°
Hybrid: Adams Super Hybrid, 22°
Irons: Mizuno MP54, 5-PW
Wedges: Cleveland 588 RTX 2.0 Tour Satin, 50°, 56°, 60°
Putter: Cleveland TFI 2135 Satin Cero
Ball: Titleist Pro V1x
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