Matthieu Pavon made history at Pinehurst during Thursday’s first round of the U.S. Open, becoming the first player ever to make two eagles in a U.S. Open round at Pinehurst No. 2. These eagles helped him shoot a three-under 67, putting him in early contention. What made this feat even more impressive was how he made the eagles, holing two mid-range putts, especially after his recent struggles on the greens at the PGA Championship, where he finished last in Strokes Gained/putting.
During the PGA Championship at Valhalla, Pavon struggled with his putting, missing the cut with rounds of 76-77. He lost over three shots each round and over seven in total, making only two putts over 10 feet that week. However, his performance at Pinehurst was a different story, as he led the field in Strokes Gained/putting, gaining nearly 4.5 strokes on the field by holing 143 feet of putts, including five from outside of 10 feet.
Pavon credits his improved putting performance to work he did with his coach Jon Karlsen in Florida, adjusting his putting technique to suit the faster, slopier, and grainier greens in the United States. While he was used to slower and less sloped greens in Europe, he has had to adapt to the different conditions on the PGA Tour, where greens require more break and precision in putting. This adjustment in mindset has helped Pavon find success on the greens at Pinehurst No. 2.
According to PGA Tour putting coach Ralph Bauer, faster greens break more, requiring players to adjust their approach to putting. Pavon’s work with Karlsen was less technical and more about learning to read greens more effectively and adjust his pace accordingly. This change in approach has allowed Pavon to putt with a dead-weight type of stroke, playing less break and adopting a more defensive mindset on faster greens.
Players like defending U.S. Open champion Wyndham Clark have also emphasized the importance of playing a higher line with dying speed on faster greens to avoid having putts run away. Pavon’s struggles and subsequent success highlight the importance of adapting to different green conditions and adjusting one’s putting mindset accordingly. By understanding how much break to play and how to adjust pace, players can improve their putting performance on a variety of greens.
In conclusion, Pavon’s journey from struggling on the greens at the PGA Championship to excelling at Pinehurst serves as a valuable lesson for all golfers. Understanding the importance of reading greens, adjusting break and pace, and adopting a defensive mindset on faster greens can lead to improved putting performance. By learning to adapt to different green conditions and refining their approach to putting, players can enhance their chances of success on the course.
