Equipment
Phil’s Secret Weapon: The “Phrankenwood”
Here is the photo of the “secret club” Phil Mickelson said was being built especially for Augusta National this week, the “X Hot Phrankenwood.”
The Phrankenwood appears to be an even larger version of Callaway’s X Hot Pro 3Deep, probably with even less loft to make the driver/fairway wood longer than the 3Deep but still more workable than a standard driver.
Notice the slots cut in the rear of the sole, which we’re assuming makes the club usable off the short grass.
The club has no loft stampings, but has been spotted on the USGA’s List of Conforming Drivers this morning.
This story will be updated with more information as it becomes available.
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Equipment
A shocking Backstryke putter appearance + 7 interesting gear photos from the Zurich Classic
Welcome to New Orleans, where TPC Louisiana plays host to the 2024 Zurich Classic. In between breakfast beignets and nightly Creole feasts, PGA Tour players are also competing in the unique two-man format at the Zurich this week.
Although the vibes in Nawlins are a bit lighter-fare than the recent back-to-back competitions the Masters and the RBC Heritage signature event), the gear news was no less serious this week.
We spotted some recent changes from Rory McIlroy, a very rare Odyssey Backstryke putter, dove into the bag of legendary New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees, and spotted Patrick Cantlay continuing to test new equipment.
Get your beads out and crack your crawfish, because it’s time for an equipment rundown from The Big Easy (meaning New Orleans, of course, not Ernie Els).
See all of our photos from the Zurich Classic here
Rory’s on-and-off lob wedge
Since the end of 2023, Rory McIlroy has had an on-again, off-again relationship with a Titleist Vokey K-Grind lob wedge. In his last start, it was on, and the wedge is back in the bag again this week. We got a great look at the complicated grind that McIlroy uses.
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A full look into McIlroy’s bag above also shows that he switched out of the TaylorMade BRNR Mini Copper that he used at the RBC Heritage, and he’s back into the Qi10 core 3-wood. As we discussed last week, McIlroy will likely keep the BRNR around as a course-specific club, trading it in and out for the 3-wood.
See Rory McIlroy’s full 2024 WITB from the Zurich here
Turning Back the clock
Unless Tommy Gainey is in the field, it’s unlikely you’ll ever see Odyssey’s Backstryke technology make an appearance on the PGA Tour.
But then, when you least expect it, Russ Cochran shows up.
For more than a decade – since the 2013 Sony Open in Hawai’i – Cochran has been stuck on 599 PGA Tour starts. This week will be his 600th.
Cochran is in the field at the Zurich this week playing alongside Eric Cole, whose regular caddie is Reed Cochran, Russ’s son.
The Backstryke putter was first released back in 2010, and its unique design helps shift the axis point of the putter closer to the CG of the head. And, the putter is getting a nod this week at the Zurich Classic, thanks to Cochran’s 600th career PGA Tour start.
The putter is certainly awesome, but don’t forget to check out Cochran’s full WITB from this week.
Drew Brees with a Super Bowl winning Scotty Cameron putter
Drew Brees, a legendary retired quarterback for the hometown New Orleans Saints, made an appearance at the Zurich’s Wednesday Pro-Am, playing alongside Zach Johnson, Ryan Palmer, and current Saints QB Derek Carr.
Brees’ bag included a TaylorMade Stealth2 Plus driver, a BRNR Mini 13.5-degree, a Stealth 5-wood, a mixed set of P-790 and P-760 irons, Milled Grind Hi-Toe wedges, and a custom Scotty Cameron “New Orleans Saints” putter, which Scotty made for Brees following his Super Bowl MVP-winning performance in 2010.
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It should also be noted that Brees has his Venmo QR code as a bag tag.
If you’re gambling with Brees on the course, just know that not having cash won’t work as an excuse.
Brilliant.
See Drew Brees’ full WITB from the Zurich here
Stricker’s unrecognizable putter
Steve Stricker has made numerous upgrades to his bag recently, including a new TSR3 driver and T100 irons, but his longtime Odyssey White Hot No. 2 putter is still going strong. It’s the most recognizable unrecognizable putter ever.
Here’s a better look at Stricker’s flatstick, which he started using back in 2007.
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Patrick Cantlay has opened the equipment-switching floodgates
Over on the PGA Tour’s Equipment Report this week, we covered Cantlay’s recent switch into Ping Blueprint S irons, and a Titleist TSR2 driver.
Cantlay hadn’t switched irons for about seven years, so the iron switch he made at The 2024 Masters came as a shock to the norm. He simply isn’t one to change gear very often, so anytime Cantlay makes a switch, it’s news.
It seems the floodgates of equipment testing have opened up a bit for Cantlay, who was also spotted testing a custom Scotty Cameron blade putter on Tuesday this week. By Wednesday, Cantlay was back practicing with his familiar Scotty Cameron T5 Proto mallet, but it’s certainly something to keep an eye on going forward.
Daniel Berger’s custom Jailbird site lines
Berger, who’s currently using Odyssey’s Ai-One Mini Jailbird mallet putter, has a unique 3-dot, 2-line alignment on the crown of his navy-white-navy-white mallet putter. Looking down at the putter, it’s easy to see why this alignment system would help; it just seems impossible to set up to the ball off-center, or misaligned to the target.
Also, for anyone worried, you can rest easy. Yes, he’s still playing the 2013 TaylorMade TP MC irons, which we highlighted in our recent “Modern Classics: Old vs. New” video testing series.
FitzMagic teams back up
Brothers Matthew and Alex Fitzpatrick are teaming up once again at the Zurich this year, and Bettinardi Golf hooked them up with some festive “FitzMagic” headcovers to match this week.
See what else is in Alex Fitzpatrick’s WITB here
And, with that, we say goodbye to the Zurich Classic in New Orleans. Don’t forget to check out all of our photos from this week, including 30 unique photo galleries full of equipment photos.
We’ll see you next week in Texas for the 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson!
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- Alejandro Tosti what’s in the bag accurate as of the Zurich Classic.
Driver: Srixon ZX5 Mk II LS (9.5 degrees @10.5)
Shaft: Project X HZRDUS T1100 75 6.5
3-wood: TaylorMade Qi10 Tour
Shaft: Project X HZRDUS Black 80 TX
Hybrid: TaylorMade Qi10 Tour Rescue (22 degrees)
Shaft: Project X HZRDUS Smoke Black RDX 6.5 100
Irons: Srixon ZX7 Mk II (4-PW)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold Mid Tour Issue X100
Wedges: Cleveland RTX6 ZipCore Tour Rack (50-10 MID, 54-10 MID, 58-10 MID, 60-06 LOW)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold Mid Tour Issue X100, S400
Putter: Scotty Cameron
Grips: Golf Pride MCC Plus4
Check out more in-hand photos of Alejandro Tosti’s WITB in the forums.
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Driver: TaylorMade Stealth 2 Plus (10.5 degrees)
Mini driver: TaylorMade BRNR Mini Copper (13.5 degrees)
5-wood: TaylorMade Stealth Plus (19 degrees)
Irons: TaylorMade P790 (4-8, PW), TaylorMade P760 (9)
Wedges: TaylorMade MG Hi-Toe (52-09, 56-10, 60)
Putter: Scotty Cameron Select Newport 2 Prototype
Check out more in-hand photos of Drew Brees’ clubs here.
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Alejandro Tosti WITB 2024 (April)
Alejandro Tosti what’s in the bag accurate as of the Zurich Classic. Driver: Srixon ZX5 Mk II LS (9.5 degrees...
Drew Brees WITB 2024 (April)
View this post on Instagram A post shared by GolfWRX (@golfwrx) Driver: TaylorMade Stealth 2 Plus (10.5 degrees)...
Daniel Berger WITB 2024 (April)
Daniel Berger what’s in the bag accurate as of the Farmers Insurance Open. More photos from the event here. Driver:...
Rasmus Højgaard WITB 2024 (April)
Rasmus Højgaard what’s in the bag accurate as of the Zurich Classic. Driver: Callaway Ai Smoke Triple Diamond (10.5 degrees)...
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19th Hole2 weeks agoTiger Woods arrives at 2024 Masters equipped with a putter that may surprise you
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19th Hole4 days ago‘Absolutely crazy’ – Major champ lays into Patrick Cantlay over his decision on final hole of RBC Heritage
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George Cap
Jun 2, 2013 at 7:59 pm
Where can I purchase a Callaway X Hot Prankenwood 8.5 degree 3 wood?
Brouster
Oct 21, 2014 at 12:21 am
How can I purchase phrankenwood driver
Steve
Apr 10, 2013 at 2:03 am
I guess he’s not going to use that black-painted TM RBZ 3-wood that he snuck into his sack a few months ago!
Leif
Apr 9, 2013 at 11:19 pm
He is still using the Razr Fit Xtreme driver too! This is his “3w”
David
Apr 9, 2013 at 6:44 pm
When Phil won a few years back with the two drivers I stopped questioning his decisions.
lance
Apr 9, 2013 at 6:11 pm
You never know what phil the thrill will have in the bag! !
Im thinking phil will cary this new stick along with the razr fit extreme!
Phrankenwood for a draw, and the fit extreme for his cut shots!
Jeffrey
Apr 9, 2013 at 5:51 pm
I was wondering if anyone knows if Phil’s club is a new creation or an 8.5 loft version of the new xhot 3deep being released April 19th. I heard that the 3 deep was a tour release to the public like the utility x prototypes.
Don
Apr 9, 2013 at 4:35 pm
I WANT ONE!!!! Put me on the list callaway.
Jeffrey
Apr 9, 2013 at 3:23 pm
The loft is 8.5 degrees with a 45 inch driver shaft.
Brad
Apr 9, 2013 at 3:03 pm
This club’s specifications are probably close to Cobra’s “Long Tom” 2 Wood (45 inches and 12.5 degrees with the head being quite a bit larger than a fairway wood but smaller than a driver). The 2 wood is as old and good a concept as one can get with golf equipment.
Randall
Apr 9, 2013 at 2:43 pm
I think he’s bored of golf. Has to do these things to give a reason to go play when you know you are aging, already extremely wealthy, and love your home life (ehh Tiger). It’s just a hobby for him now
Clay
Apr 9, 2013 at 1:00 pm
The club is misspelled, you have to take the “h” out. It should be named “Prankenwood”.
JEFF
Apr 9, 2013 at 12:31 pm
WEIRD….. KINDA DUMB…… WHY?
gery katona
Apr 9, 2013 at 11:59 am
I’m always a bit surprised when guys experiment and put new stuff into play just before a major, especially something as critical as a driver. When the pressure is on, the last thing you need to be concerned with is doubt in your equipment. I realize Phil is trying to optimize his bag for the situation and I guess some guys can get away with it while others keep the stuff they are comfortable with.
Edmond Brooks IV
Apr 9, 2013 at 11:53 am
Phil the thrill he just makes the Masters for me I love Tiger but Phil is always my favorite all around true Professional. Phil and Phrankenwood you just know you’re going to see another Phil shot!
Stephen
Apr 8, 2013 at 3:25 pm
I would buy a Phrankenwood if they make a 12 degree LH..Callaway should have a drawing for a Phil Mickelson series Phrankenwood!!
Putty
Apr 8, 2013 at 1:23 pm
Rocketbladez, are you not satisfied with your Razr Fit Xtreme?
RocketBladez
Apr 8, 2013 at 11:37 am
So what happened to the RAZR Fit Xtreme driver that he was raving about when he won in Phoenix earlier this year? Was that just marketing hype for his sponsor so we would all go out and buy one?
Double Mocha Man
Apr 8, 2013 at 12:08 pm
And by this Sunday it’ll be time for all of us to go out and buy a Phrankenwood!
Yohanan
Apr 8, 2013 at 10:28 am
It’s alive!
andietaylor
Apr 9, 2013 at 1:20 pm
Grandstanding Phil…always doing something to make headlines. It’s all about Phil. Loves the controversy…good, or bad. Maybe he can write off the new clubs on his tax return?
Todd
Apr 9, 2013 at 8:41 pm
What happened to that driver that was such “a dream”? You know, the one he raved about after Phoenix? Phil, if you haven’t figure out how to make a swing yet, no souped-up #2 wood is gonna save you now.