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19th Hole

Dustin Johnson switched putters in the most Dustin Johnson of fashions

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Update 10/27/17 at 11:57 a.m.

A TaylorMade representative provided more detail into the putter, along with an in-hand photo, that Dustin Johnson put into play for round 2 of the 2017 WGC-HSBC Champions event:

DustinJohnsonSpiderTourblack

“DJ requested a Spider Tour Black after playing a Berwick in round one. Patrick Tang, our Asian Toru rep built him one to spec — only one they had since trucks were all gone. It had a sightline so Patrick filled it in for DJ.”

——

Dustin Johnson has used a TaylorMade Spider variant for much of the past couple of seasons. As of the Wells Fargo Championship, last season, for example, we spotted him using a TaylorMade Spider Tour Black.

However, he switched to a TaylorMade TP Collection Juno putter for the Northern Trust Open, and most recently, that’s what he had in the bag at the Presidents Cup.

It sounds like that putter made its way to China, along with a couple of other candidates. However, DJ made the decision to go with an entirely different TaylorMade Spider flatstick—one with a softer insert than his previous model featured. (Appropriate, with Halloween approaching)

Making this story of putter switching even better, it also sounds like the tour truck on site at Sheshan built him a putter and he put it in play immediately.

“The guys here in China made me one. I got it right before I walked to the tee,” Johnson said. “I hit a few putts on the practice green with it and I was like, ‘Oh, this will work pretty well.’ Went out and holed a lot of putts today, so I kind of like it.”

And making the story even better still: Johnson carded a second round 63 to move to the head of the class in Shanghai. Kind of like it, indeed.

Here’s the best shot we have of the putter. We’ve reached out to TaylorMade for further details.

WGC - HSBC Champions: Day TwoAs you can see in the video below from the PGA Tour, the new Spider is working pretty well for the world No. 1. He ended his day with four straight birdies, filling up the cup from distance.

Guess a big-money no-cut event is the time to put a flatstick in play you’ve only stroked a few putts with, right? Can you imagine? Who else but DJ?

Gotta love “the John Wayne of golf,” as his agent calls him.

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19th Hole

Report: Tiger Woods voted against Rory McIlroy returning to policy board; Will be the only player negotiating directly with Saudis

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According to a report from The Telegraph, the relationship between Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy has soured.

Last week, reports surfaced that McIlroy, who was a member of the PGA Tour policy board during most of the past few years, was looking to rejoin the board, presumably taking Webb Simpson’s seat.

However, on Wednesday, McIlroy revealed that he will not be rejoining the policy board, due to people on the board being “uncomfortable” with that “for some reason.”

The Telegraph has reported that Tiger Woods was among the players who voted against McIlroy returning to the policy board.

The divide is apparently due to McIlroy pushing for the game of golf to unify, whereas Woods, reportedly, believes the PGA Tour is in a fine position where it currently stands.

The Associated Press added another wrinkle to the situation, reporting that Woods is the only player who will be negotiating directly with the Saudis.

The other members of the committee are PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan, board chairman Joe Gorder, John W. Henry of Fenway Sports Group, and Joe Ogilvie, who was a former PGA Tour player.

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19th Hole

Phil Mickelson reveals he won’t be pursuing broadcasting career when he retires from golf

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On Tuesday, Chris McKee, a Toronto writer and radio host, wondered aloud on his X account if Phil Mickelson will be a commentator after his playing days are over.

“The second Phil Mickelson retires he’ll instantly become the most sought after TV analyst in golf. Would any PGA Tour broadcaster (CBS, ESPN, NBC or Sky) bring him in or would he have to stick to LIV broadcasts? #LIVGolf”

Mickelson saw the post and responded, saying he’s not interested in moving from the course to the broadcast booth.

“Thank you for the kind words. However, just cuz someone CAN do something doesn’t mean they SHOULD do it. Instead of commentating, I’m going to shoot some Pros vs Schmos 9 hole matches. I’ll share insights throughout as well as talk a little smack. It won’t be the highest quality video but it’ll be fun for me to do and fun to watch I think too.”

While I believe many fans would like to see Phil in the booth, his idea of “Pro’s vs Schmo’s” could certainly be intriguing.

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19th Hole

PGA Tour pro sounds off on ‘unfair’ PGA Championship invites

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This week, the PGA of America made some surprising announcements regarding the field of next week’s PGA Championship at Valhalla.

The event now will feature 16 LIV players with Talor Gooch, Dean Burmester, David Puig, Adrian Meronk and Patrick Reed receiving special exemptions.

PGA Tour player, Dylan Wu, took issue with how the exemptions were used and went to X to share his thoughts.

“Why is there never “real” qualifications for the PGA Championship? You have a points list and World ranking invite. Usually just outside top 100 in OWGR gets in. Chan Kim ranked 104th in OWGR doesn’t get in. SH Kim at 107th isn’t in.”

“Jesper Svennson ranked 108th gets in. Tim Widing 120th gets in. Ryder Cup captain Luke Donald gets a spot. A bunch of guys get leapfrogged even though they’re ranked higher than others. Seems like they just invite whoever they want. Unfair to the guys on the edge like Chan and SH”

“Just seems like the world of professional golf is in a weird spot and I love that the tournament invited a handful of great LIV players but figure out a correct system for a major championship where guys know they’ll be in or not. ????”

Fans who replied to Wu seemed to agree that a more definitive ranking system for the PGA Championship should be established.

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