At last week’s Zozo Championship, Collin Morikawa hoisted a PGA Tour trophy for the first time since the 2021 Open Championship.

As our Andrew Tursky detailed for PGATour.com’s Equipment Report, the now six-time Tour winner made some under-the-radar adjustments leading up to his six-stroke victory.

Read an excerpt from Tursky’s report below and head over to PGATour.com for the full piece.

Putter shaft switch

…Prior to summer 2023, however, Morikawa and [putting instructor Stephen] Sweeney noticed that the differential between the lightweight TP Soto blade putter head and the heavy graphite shaft could be affecting his feel. Morikawa didn’t want the stiffness of the shaft to change, though, because he liked the consistency it added to his stroke.

So, Morikawa – and Sweeney – wanted an extra stiff putter shaft but with an ultra-lightweight construction to better match with his TP Soto blade putter head.

The products that Morikawa tested included a Mitsubishi Diamana P-135 shaft, which uses the same weave and materials that the company uses in its flagship products, and the shaft is designed to reduce torque and increase stability throughout the stroke.

He liked it, but the shaft was still too heavy.

That’s when Mitsubishi got into re-design mode and built Morikawa a 1-of-1 prototype. According to the company, its designers were able to retain the same stiffness as the heavier model, while reducing the weight of the shaft to 105 grams.

Golf ball switch (long iron shafts, iron lofts, too)

Ahead of the BMW Championship, Morikawa switched his golf ball model and the shafts in his long irons…

“On Monday, late afternoon at the BMW Championship – so, one day after playing the FedEx St. Jude Championship in Memphis – Collin felt that his driver and woods were spinning too much, and his long irons weren’t launching high enough,” a TaylorMade representative told GolfWRX.com on Monday following the 2023 ZOZO CHAMPIONSHIP. “As for the testing process, TaylorMade’s Tour Team suggested testing the TP5x golf ball for lower spin, higher launch and more stability – especially in crosswinds – and to combine the ball switch with lighter shafts (True Temper Dynamic Gold “Mid” Tour Issue) in the long irons.

“The changes helped create the spin numbers he was looking for with his woods, while maintaining the low-cut shot he prefers, and it held the ball in the air against the wind at the desired launch angle with his long irons. Because of the lower-spinning ball, we then added a little bit of loft to his mid-to-short irons, and he was in total control. The results were more predictable…it was a pretty rigorous test session for it being the day after a playoff event, and then switching to a new golf ball during the playoffs.”

Check out Collin Morikawa’s Zozo Championship-winning WITB here.