Leaderboard: Round 1 of The Northern Trust

For the best players in the world, the way a putter feels at impact can determine the longevity of a flat stick. It’s part of the reason why Jordan Spieth, Tiger Woods and Brandt Snedeker, just to name a few, have relied on the same putter or insert for years — they know what they’re getting in the feel department, which allows them to dial-in distance control and improve their overall consistency. For Woods, it’s the firmer, “clickier” feel of the German Stainless Steel on his Scotty Cameron Newport 2 “GSS” putter that allows him to decipher a good putt from a mishit. For others, a softer feel is preferred, giving the sensation of the ball staying on the face slightly longer at impact. With PING’s new Sigma 2 putter series, which consists of 10 head options, the feel shades slightly to the softer side via a dual-durometer Pebax elastomer face material. The lightweight elastomer is commonly used in the sole of athletic shoes for its elasticity properties and high-energy return compound that delivers a soft yet responsive feel at impact. The soft front layer of the face is geared for shorter putts while the firmer back layer offers solid feedback and distance control for long-range efforts. The face design also features PING’s True-Roll (TR) face technology. By varying the depth of the grooves across the face — with the deepest grooves in the center and getting gradually shallower toward the perimeter to equalize ball speed — speed and control can be improved on center-hit and mis-hit putts off the heel or toe. “Feel is difficult to quantify as there are a lot of opinions and preferences about how a putter should feel,â€� said PING president John K. Solheim. “The Sigma 2 has a very soft feel with a lively response, similar to a solid-face putter. It is designed for the golfer who prefers a putter on the softer side of the spectrum but with the response of a firm face, including more consistency on longer putts. Rounding out the offering is a USGA-conforming, adjustable-length shaft that allows the golfer to choose between 32 and 36 inches to fit their stroke and posture. With the help of an adjustable tool that inserts into the top of the grip, length can be increased or decreased a 1/4-inch while the grip remains perfectly aligned during the process. “The adjustable shaft is just a really cool technology,â€� said Solheim. “Our engineers took a very complex technical challenge and simplified it for the benefit of golfers. It allows you to experiment with various lengths and ultimately self-fit yourself. You’re no longer limited to a specific length measurement.” Three pistol grip options are offered in the midsize PP60, slightly heavier PP61 (inspired by the popular PP58) and PP62, which has a more rounded shape to promote “quieter hands.” Here’s a look at all 10 putters (Platinum and Stealth finishes) in the lineup, including the new Fetch mallet. Anser The Anser is the winningest model in PGA TOUR history, and its newest iteration has the traditional heel-toe ballasts that boost MOI, plus pleasing contours, a clean top rail and simple alignment line. The blade design and medium head weight make this putter proficient from any distance. The mid-hang balance targets players with a moderate rotation in their stroke, and thus fits a large percentage of golfers. Putter type: Blade Finish: Platinum or Stealth Adjustable-length shaft: 32 inches to 36 inches Head weight: 350 grams Stroke type: Slight Arc Lie angle: 20 degrees plus-or-minus four degrees Loft: Three degrees plus-or-minus two degrees Price: $215 ZB 2 The ZB with a modern twist. The deeper center cavity and heel-toe weighting increase moment of inertia by more than 25% in this new model and make it as forgiving as an Anser. The heel-shafted weighting is engineered to fit players with more rotation in their stroke and those who have a pull tendency. This putter’s blade design and medium head weight provide versatility from anywhere on the green. Putter type: Blade Finish: Platinum Adjustable-length shaft: 32 inches to 36 inches Head weight: 350 gram Stroke type: Strong Arc Lie angle: 20 degrees plus-or-minus four degrees Loft: Three degrees plus-or-minus two degrees Price: $215 Arna Inspired by the timeless design of the Anser, this mid-mallet model features a flow-style hosel that complements the head’s soft arc shape and compact profile. The 360-gram head weight ensures stability on shorter putts while offering distance control on lag putts. The mid-hang balance fits golfers with a moderate rotation in their stroke. Putter type: Mid-Mallet Finish: Stealth Adjustable-length shaft: 32 inches to 36 inches Head weight: 360 grams Stroke type: Slight Arc Lie angle: 20 degrees plus-or-minus four degrees Loft: Three degrees plus-or-minus two degrees Price: $215 Kushin C This center-shafted model with added emphasis to the toe and heel ballasts will appeal to golfers drawn to the visual symmetry and stability of a face-balanced design. Prominent ball-width alignment features and micro-lines on the center cavity allow for easy alignment. The 360-gram weight and center-shaft design keep the head very stable on short putts in particular. The face-balanced design is optimized for players with very little rotation in their stroke or a push tendency. Putter type: Mid-Mallet Finish: Platinum Adjustable-length shaft: 32 inches to 36 inches Head weight: 360 grams Stroke type: Straight Lie angle: 20 degrees plus-or-minus four degrees Loft: Three degrees plus-or-minus two degrees Price: $215 Fetch A distinctive golf-ball-size center hole in this new design allows you to pick up the ball or remove it from the cup with the putter head and not have to bend down. This circular shape allows for efficient perimeter weighting, creating an extremely high MOI for a putter its size. Its 365-gram head is extremely stable on shorter putts. The face-balanced design works well with players who have little rotation in their stroke or a tendency to push putts. Putter type: Mallet Finish: Platinum Adjustable-length shaft: 32 inches to 36 inches Head weight: 365 grams Stroke type: Straight Lie angle: 20 degrees plus-or-minus four degrees Loft: Three degrees plus-or-minus two degrees Price: $235 Tyne Boasts a PGA TOUR-winning design, back by popular demand for its stability and ease of alignment. New micro-lines visible from address provide added texture and a contrast that amplifies the ball-framing and parallel alignment. The 365-gram head stays extremely stable on short putts and delivers ample feel for longer attempts. The Tyne can be custom built as face-balanced or mid-hang to be optimized for straight or slight-arc stroke types. Putter type: Mallet Finish: Stealth Adjustable-length shaft: 32 inches to 36 inches Head weight: 365 grams Stroke types: Straight, Slight Arc Lie angle: 20 degrees plus-or-minus four degrees Loft: Three degrees plus-or-minus two degrees Price: $235 Tyne 4 The stability and ease of alignment of the original Tyne are re-created in this heel-shafted version. The heavier 370-gram head is optimized for a smoother stroke tempo and designed to improve consistency, especially on shorter putts. The short hosel offers a distinctive – and popular – look at address, and the heel-shafted balance is particularly effective for golfers with more rotation in their stroke or a pull tendency. Putter type: Mallet Finish: Platinum Adjustable-length shaft: 32 inches to 36 inches Head weight: 370 grams Stroke type: Strong Arc Lie angle: 20 degrees plus-or-minus four degrees Loft: Three degrees plus-or-minus two degrees Price: $235 Wolverine H Its angular shape combines with ball-shape geometries and a long alignment line to simplify aiming for improved accuracy. To promote consistency, the heavier 370-gram mallet head provides a very high moment of inertia for extreme forgiveness, especially on shorter putts. The mid-hang balance ensures better all-round performance for a wide range of golfers. Putter type: Mallet Finish: Stealth Adjustable-length shaft: 32 inches to 36 inches Head weight: 370 grams Stroke type: Slight Arc Lie angle: 20 degrees plus-or-minus four degrees Loft: Three degrees plus-or-minus two degrees Price: $235 Valor A new model, this high-MOI mallet features a uniquely designed heel-toe ballast profile that contributes to its incredible stability and ease of aiming, with help from a long, contrasting alignment line. On shorter putts in particular, the added stability of the heavier 365-gram design offers a big performance advantage. This putter can be custom-built as either a face-balanced or mid-hang design to be optimized for golfers with almost any stroke type. Putter type: Mallet Finish: Stealth Adjustable-length shaft: 32 inches to 36 inches Head weight: 365 grams Stroke types: Straight, Slight Arc Lie angle: 20 degrees plus-or-minus four degrees Loft: Three degrees plus-or-minus two degrees Price: $235 PGA TOUR SUPERSTORE: Buy equipment here

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Defending champion Brooks Koepka has withdrawn from THE CJ CUP @ NINE BRIDGES with a knee injury. After opening the tournament with rounds of 69-75 to sit T51 at even-par, Koepka has pulled the plug on the final two rounds. At this stage, there is no word on the seriousness of the flare-up. Koepka admitted earlier this month he had undergone a painful stem cell procedure on his left knee during his offseason break, but in the lead-up to his title defense had claimed it was a non-issue. He had a partially torn patella tendon and although the treatment had yet to fully run its course, the 2017-18 PGA TOUR Player of the Year believed he was 100 percent. “My knee’s fine, it feels good. It bugged me since March maybe, but everything’s fine now,â€� Koepka said Tuesday. “Did my rehab, my recovery and there shouldn’t be any issues. There might be one more round of stem cells maybe, before hopefully the end of the year here during some off-time. But other than that, I feel great. My knee feels good. It’s the first time it’s been feeling consistently good in a while.â€� The 29-year-old won on Jeju Island a year ago – one of his now-seven PGA TOUR titles – but has now started his 2019-20 season with a missed cut at the Shriners Hospitals for Children Open and this latest withdrawal.

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HAMILTON, Ontario – There are not many people in golf, let alone on the PGA TOUR, who could rely on past experience when they get close to shooting a 59, golf’s magic number. But Brandt Snedeker is one of those people. Snedeker, who won the RBC Canadian Open in 2013, shot a 10-under-par 60 on Friday at Hamilton Golf and Country Club and was flirting with 59, again, late in his round. The former FedExCup champion shot a 59 to open last year’s Wyndham Championship. He’d go on to win that week, his first TOUR win in two years. “When I did it at Wyndham I wasn’t feeling very good about my game at all; today I was feeling good,â€� said Snedeker of the differences between the two days. “I knew I could get something going early, make a putt early, I was rolling it really good on the putting green so I felt like I was there. “You get one those days every once in a while, and so I did the best I could taking advantage of it. I tried to make sure I made every putt today.â€� Snedeker made 136 feet of putts on Friday, his best of the season after making 112 feet of putts at the second round of the Charles Schwab Challenge. Snedeker and Carl Pettersson, who won in 2010 at St. George’s Golf and Country Club, are the only golfers to shoot 60 at the event. Greg Norman also had a round of 10-under, a 62, at Glen Abbey Golf Club in in 1986. Snedeker tied the best 36-hole score at the Canadian Open with 129 after he opened with a 1-under 69.   “I made a small adjustment in my setup this week and it kind of clicked and felt great on the range. I think I missed one fairway with my driver, and you do that around here you’re going to set yourself up for success,â€� he said. “I just kept feeding on it, feeding on it, didn’t really think about (the score) too much until… 17 is the first time kind of popped in my head. Like, ‘oh, if I finish birdie-birdie I can shoot 59 again.’â€� As the afternoon wave was just getting started Friday, Snedeker was leading by two shots. Snedeker was grouped with Brooks Koepka and Justin Thomas – another past FedExCup champion – and combined the trio shot 19-under on Friday. “It was fun to watch. It was exciting for sure. He made it look really easy,â€� said Koepka of Snedeker’s round. “I felt like I didn’t play very well playing with him,â€� echoed Thomas, with a laugh. “I mean, man that guy can putt. It was unbelievable.â€� Snedeker said the golf course sets up well for him since it’s not a layout for bombers. “You’ve got to put the ball in the fairway and give yourself plenty of opportunities. Sounds boring, but that’s the way this golf course is meant to be played,â€� he said. “That’s why I love it. I love old-school golf courses.â€� Although Snedeker has had two top-10 finishes this year, including at THE PLAYERS Championship, he classified his season to this point as “mediocre,â€� admitting he’s had trouble stringing four good rounds together. He said he usually plays well at events he’s won before – indeed, he’s won twice at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am, the Farmers Insurance Open, and the Wyndham Championship – and even though he’s playing the Canadian Open this week at a different course than when he won in 2013, he’s still feeling good heading into the weekend. “I hold this tournament up a little bit more just because of what it means to me being a past champion,â€� said Snedeker. “I’ve only won RBC (Canadian Open) once, so would be find of a fitting way to top this one off.â€�

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