Equipment
Enter to Win Phil Mickelson’s U.S. Open Paycheck
Phil Mickelson has finished second in the U.S. Open Championship six times without a victory, but he will have especially passionate support at Pinehurst No. 2 this year as he attempts to win the career Grand Slam.
Callaway Golf, in a promotion called “The Big Bertha Payday,” (#BerthaPayday) is allowing golfers a chance to win the same official dollar amount of Mickelson’s prize winnings at this year’s U.S. Open. Starting today (5/22) and lasting through the final round on June 15, every person living in the United States or Canada that demos a Big Bertha Driver, Big Bertha Alpha Driver, or a Big Bertha Fairway Wood at a participating location will receive a code they can use to enter the contest.
Read our review of the Big Bertha and Big Bertha Alpha drivers here.
That’s it. Just test out Callaway’s newest Big Bertha technology at a local participating golf course or range, and you could win up to $1.5 million, the estimated winnings for first place.
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“A lot of people out there have not had the chance to feel like what a putt for a million dollars feels like,” said Mickelson in a promotional video for The Big Bertha Payday. “Now, even though you’re not the one hitting it, you at home have the chance to feel that same anxiety.”
By entering, you will join Phil in the grind over four-footers, the diabolical greenside shots for which Pinehurst is infamous and the unbearable major championship pressure. The better he plays, the more money you have a chance to win.
Although he missed cuts at The Masters and The Players Championship in 2014, Mickelson’s game sets up well for the Donald Ross designed Pinehurst No. 2, which requires imagination and supreme touch around the greens. In the 1999 U.S. Open at the same venue, Mickelson finished in a tie for second place, losing to a memorably gutsy performance from the late Payne Stewart.
In the 2005 U.S. Open at Pinehurst, Mickelson finished T33, earning him $35, 759. With a vested interest, participants will be hoping for a better showing in 2014’s rendition of the championship.
For the sake of one lucky fan, let’s hope Mickelson at least makes the cut. For everyone else, the contest is a great excuse to try out Callaway’s newest drivers and fairway woods.
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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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Whats in the Bag
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 @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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Whats in the Bag
Drew Brees WITB 2024 (April)
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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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Tom
Jun 26, 2014 at 4:38 pm
Did they ever announce a winner of this contest?
Jane Schrag
Jun 17, 2014 at 1:06 pm
Thanks for a chance of a lifetime
Jane Schrag
Jun 17, 2014 at 1:05 pm
Thanks for chance of a lifetime. God Bless!
Jane Schrag
Jun 17, 2014 at 1:04 pm
Thanks for the chance to Win with You. God Bless
Larry Oliver
Jun 11, 2014 at 4:42 pm
It is your time to complete the Majors (4) slam!! Just go out nad win the US Open!!!
David Gladden
Jun 11, 2014 at 8:02 am
Just win it Phil!
Bill Trivette
Jun 10, 2014 at 10:46 pm
I have been pulling for Phil ever since her came on tour.I hope he wins this year.
Macario Reyes
Jun 7, 2014 at 2:10 pm
go Phil!!!!
jim sigmon
May 29, 2014 at 9:14 pm
pHIL ALL THE LUCK AND MAY GOD BLESS THIS ROUND, I KNOW YOU CAN DO IT.. I WATCH EVERY ROUND AND TOURNAMENT YOU PLAY IN GOOD LUCK THANKS FOR BEING PHIL MICKELSON
Stephen Gorman
May 25, 2014 at 7:13 pm
We are wishing you all the good fortune you deserve Phil good luck from the Gorman family we will be rooting for you. My little 7 yr old rori beth is a lefty too and loves watching you play.
Walt
May 25, 2014 at 4:12 pm
GO GET UM !
Jane Martin
May 24, 2014 at 2:01 pm
Phil–Big Bertha–green backs to me!!!YEAH
Alan Markle
May 24, 2014 at 1:39 pm
finding where to enter the contest is very difficult.
Doh
May 25, 2014 at 2:58 am
Huh?
http://www.callawaygolf.com/more/the-big-big-bertha-payday-sweepstakes/
Too me 2 seconds
Ron Coningswood
Jun 4, 2014 at 9:08 pm
You are right Alan, it is difficult to find where to sign up!
Tom
May 23, 2014 at 9:04 am
All PGA Tour Superstores are offering up this promotion, demo the Bertha there and register.
Scooter McGavin
May 23, 2014 at 6:46 am
Hm. The debate over winning lots of money or getting to see Phil lose again… I’ll have to think about that.
JOHN HABERLE
May 23, 2014 at 12:54 am
It would be great to see lefty win,I come on 6 times a bridesmaid. It’s is time.
Jeannette Neeld
May 22, 2014 at 8:01 pm
Go Phil it’s your turn