Justin Thomas, a two-time PGA Championship winner, has been struggling on the greens this season, ranking 157th out of 175 players in Strokes Gained: Putting. In an effort to improve his putting performance, Thomas has made a significant change by switching to a prototype Scotty Cameron Phantom 9.2 putter at the Genesis Scottish Open. This mallet-style putter is similar to the one made for Jordan Spieth, which Thomas used during the tournament.
The Phantom 9.2 putter features a plumber’s neck hosel that has been hand-welded to the head and a SuperStroke Zenergy Pistol Tour grip. One unique feature of Thomas’ putter is the graphite shaft made by UST Mamiya, labeled as the ‘Scotty Cameron Xperimental Prototype’. Prior to this tournament, Thomas had never used a graphite-shafted putter in competition, and Scotty Cameron has never sold one with a graphite shaft at retail. The putter also has an alignment line on the top and adjustable weights in the heel and toe for swing weight customization.
During the Scottish Open, Thomas showcased the effectiveness of his new putter by shooting an impressive opening round of 62. This performance was a clear indication of the positive impact the putter change has had on his game. The Phantom 9.2 putter’s overall shape is similar to the Phantom 9.5 available in pro shops, with the absence of milling marks on the top of Thomas’ putter being a notable difference.
The decision to switch to a new putter demonstrates Thomas’ dedication to improving his putting performance and overall game. By making this change, Thomas has shown his willingness to adapt and try new equipment in order to achieve better results on the course. The collaboration between Thomas and Scotty Cameron in developing this prototype putter highlights the importance of player feedback in the creation of innovative golf equipment.
The success of the Phantom 9.2 putter in Thomas’ hands could potentially lead to Scotty Cameron offering a graphite-shafted putter at retail in the future. This move would likely appeal to golfers looking for a high-performance putter with unique features and the latest technology. Thomas’ experience with the prototype putter serves as a testament to the impact of equipment on a player’s performance and highlights the importance of finding the right clubs for individual players.
Overall, Thomas’ putter switch at the Scottish Open has proven to be a game-changer for his putting performance. With the help of the Phantom 9.2 putter, Thomas has shown significant improvement in his putting stats and overall game. This success story reinforces the importance of staying open to new equipment and techniques in golf, as they can lead to positive outcomes and better performance on the course.
