Viktor Hovland goes back-to-back at World Wide Technology Championship

Collin Morikawa jumped out to an early lead at the Memorial Tournament presented by Nationwide, doing so with a ‘new’ putter in the bag. The 24-year-old has had a rough spell on the greens, finishing 2020 ranked 128h in Strokes Gained: Putting. He’s 180th in that statistic this season. The Californian has been using a TaylorMade Spider FCG mallet-style putter, along with a ‘Saw’ grip he learned from Mark O’Meara, for much of this year, but in search of a change of fortunes on the greens, Morikawa has now switched back to a blade-style putter. He used a blade-style coming out of college and in last year’s win at Muirfield Village, at the Workday Charity Open. He added a SuperStroke grip and adjusted the loft on his blade this time. But this isn’t your average story about a TOUR player switching putters. Morikawa settled on the putter after consulting TaylorMade’s online ordering portal that is available to everyone, from TOUR players to mere mortals. It paid off, as Morikawa shot a first-round 66 while gaining 1.8 strokes on the greens. For more details on Morikawa’s switch, we spoke with TaylorMade’s Paul Demkowski, Principal Engineer, Product Development and TOUR Rep Todd Chew. GolfWRX: In terms of MyTP, what did Collin see that he liked and why? PD: Collin was checking out the options online and reached out to us with his specific needs for the head, the insert, alignment etc. What we built for him is similar to the one he was previously using – a TP Juno with a long neck and sightline on the topline. The main difference is we machined the face to take loft away, 2 degrees to be exact. With his new setup he has his hands more forward. This allows us to then bend the shaft forward to get the loft he wants in a position where the face is square with hands forward. … If we don’t machine the loft away and simply bend the shaft forward for his new hand position the putter would have way too much loft on it. Additionally, he commented on how much he likes the copper insert in his FCG putter. We do not have copper available for the TP putters, so we put a stainless steel insert into this putter for a harder feel. So there are a couple of changes that were exclusive to him, but consumers can pretty much spec out 90% of his putter on our website. If a consumer wanted to spec out his putter on our website, these are the options they should look at: Collin’s putter is 34.25” and has the white/gray SS Pistol 1.0 grip. GolfWRX: Any idea what inspired him to start looking at MyTP? More about a search for something better suited to his needs, or, like we all do, the fun of designing something? PD: He used (MyTP) as inspiration as he was talking to our team and looking for a fresh TP Juno. GolfWRX: What was the process after Morikawa built his Juno to getting a putter in his hands? Any differences from the retail model? PD: Collin was looking at the options in the TP putter and wanted to add some customization to it as he’s used this model before, he just wanted some additional elements added. GolfWRX: Collin was in the Spider FCG. Who does that putter work well for? Todd Chew: FCG is ideal for a player who has always used a blade and wants the added stability of a mallet, but with the feel/balance of a blade. Ultimately, a true mallet will have more stability, but it feels very different to swing one. FCG is not as drastic of a change for a blade player. GolfWRX: The switch from a mallet to a blade (even one with blade-like properties) is significant. Why did Collin make the switch? Has his stroke changed? TC: His grip changed significantly which has made his stroke quite different. He hasn’t played a blade with the new grip and technique yet, so wanted to give it a try. GolfWRX: From a fitting and club building standpoint, is there a lesson here for the average golfer? TC: As always, getting fit for a putter is as important as the other 13 clubs in your bag. You need to feel comfortable and confident making the stroke, as much as looking at the numbers to see which rolls better for you to.

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Headed into what was scheduled to be this week’s Valero Texas Open, Charley Hoffman would have been armed with the best tool for success – a strong history in San Antonio. Last year’s bogey-free, 5-under 67 Sunday at TPC San Antonio was good for solo-second, his sixth top-10 finish in 14 starts in the event. Hoffman won the Valero Texas Open in 2016. But, rather than being poised for another solid finish on one of the TOUR’s most challenging layouts, like everyone else in the world, Hoffman is home and wondering what’s next. While he and wife, Stacy, don’t have all the answers for their two young daughters, they do have the resources to give back to a community in need. And, through the Charley Hoffman Foundation, they also do have Texas-sized hearts. Via video message, Charley, Stacy and their daughters recently announced a donation of $25,000 from the Charley Hoffman Foundation to the Valero Texas Open. The funds will be distributed by the tournament to a variety of area charities at their discretion. “It was important to give to the Valero Texas Open because we understand that without PGA TOUR events, the tournaments just don’t have the ability for the same community outreach from a financial standpoint,� Charley said. “Stacy and I looked back at what is one of our favorite tournaments of the year, the Valero Texas Open, and thought about how we could help the community of San Antonio.� “We thought it was right to give to the Valero Texas Open not only because Charley has had so much success there, but also because the tournament has been a big supporter of the Charley Hoffman Foundation,� said Stacy. “That means a lot for them to take note of what we’re doing with our foundation.� In its 11 years of existence, the Charley Hoffman Foundation has generated more than $1.8 million. In their hometown of San Diego, the foundation supports cystic fibrosis, San Diego Junior Golf & Pro Kids Golf as main charities. “To have the funds available to give back is something Stacy and I are so grateful for,� Charley said. “And, when something unusual like this pandemic comes along, it means a lot to us to be able to draw from funds we have in the foundation.� “We really are so pleased that the Charley Hoffman Foundation is able to help other organizations and charities through this really hard time,� Stacy said. “We understand that it’s hard for charities that try to support those who need extra help throughout the year.� So, in a time of uncertainty, Stacy knew it would be even harder for those who need more during this challenging time. And, the charities themselves may actually begin with less to give back. “It’s said that everything’s bigger in Texas, and the Valero Texas Open has always given a really big amount back to their San Antonio community,� Stacy said. “It was really important for Charley and I to give back, because we knew they could be missing out on a lot of charity dollars this year. We thought we could at least help a little bit with some of those charities that really rely on those funds.� “In my opinion, the Valero Texas Open is a major standout among TOUR events when it comes to giving back to the community year after year,� Charley said. “It seems like the Valero Texas Open gives more to charity than almost every event on TOUR. I think that’s amazing.� Thanks to a healthy Charley Hoffman Foundation, a reserve had built up enough to where the couple could make the donation. Charley and Stacy are hoping to give an even larger amount back to their San Diego charities next year, typically announced during the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines each January. “We’re proud to be able to help people when the help is needed,� Charley said. “All along, that’s the vision Stacy and I had of this foundation – to be able to help people. “I always say that I dreamed of playing on the PGA TOUR and winning tournaments like the Valero Texas Open. But, I could have never dreamed that we would be able to give back to the communities in which we live and play golf tournaments. I get chills just thinking about it all the time.�

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Here are nine tidbits from the second round of the Valspar Championship that gamers can use tomorrow, this weekend or down the road. The Copperhead Course at Innisbrook Resort and Golf Club in Palm Harbor, Florida, plays to 7,340 yards and is par 71. PAIN OR GAIN These were the top-five picked golfers in the PGA TOUR Fantasy One & Done presented by SERVPRO: No player has defended their championship and nobody has won more than once since the event moved to March in 2007. Stenson and Finau saw themselves out with matching 74-74, while Rose is the best of the bunch playing the weekend at T7. Those who were three over par or better will tee it up on the weekend and will only be nine shots off Corey Conners lead. People’s Choice: Henrik Stenson The big-hitting Swede skipped Mexico last week and prepped for this event instead. I’m not sure many gamers could tell after he circled one birdie in 36 holes. Sadly, he made just as many doubles. The shocking part for investors THIS WEEK is that he painted 20 of 26 fairways (T2). That’s good news for folks hopping on next week at Bay Hill where the Lake Nona resident and his record is even better. Tiger Woods He was the morning leader by himself at five under par before a bogey at the last saw him settle for 68 and a share of the lead. He only hit one more fairway and two more greens in Round 2, but he finds a way to get the ball in the hole. It’s his first round this season on TOUR in the 60’s, so there’s another item crossed off the list. His health is allowing him to play and the more he plays, the sharper he’s going to be. But when he hasn’t been sharp, he’s grinding like the old days. We’re almost to DEF-CON 1. Almost. Oh, and both of his playing partners MC again this week. Morning Show Ryan Palmer posted 66 in the morning wave to jump 46 spots to T2. He credited holing putts as the difference in Round 2 after opening with 72. Palmer hasn’t played this event since 2016 and this was his first round in the 60’s here in his last 11 tries. … Brandt Snedeker took one for the team at The Honda Classic (MC) as he was paired with Woods the first two rounds. Tomorrow, he’ll get a front-row seat with the circus again as he’ll play with Woods in the second-to-last group after his 68. He said after the round he’s in the best shape physically and with his swing in the last four or five years. … Englishman Paul Casey continues his excellent form after T12 last week in Mexico City where he played the final three rounds 11-under. He also posted 68 in the first wave and only has two bogeys for the week. Floor it. Afternoon Edition Corey Conners is the only player in the field to post his first two rounds in the 60’s (67-69). Whatever jitters he may have had sleeping on the lead didn’t last long. He racked up three birdies in his first seven holes and didn’t make a bogey. He did have a double, but the rookie’s lead is still two after 36 holes. He’ll have more time to sleep on his lead tonight, as he’ll be in the last group out with Casey tomorrow afternoon. … Webb Simpson’s 68 included LOSING strokes on the green. Simpson is currently in the top 10 this season in strokes gained: putting, so I wouldn’t expect that to last. He’s T7 and is looking for his third top-10 in his last six events. 3 up South African Tyrone Van Aswegen, giggling allowed of course, posted the round of the day with a bogey-free 65. He moved up 90 spots after posting 75 on Thursday. Van Aswegen has quietly made 10 of 12 cuts this season and has a trio of top-25 finishes. He opened 69-65 here last year, so I should have caught that! …  Big-hitting Jason Kokrak posted 67 and jumped 41 spots into the top 10 (T7). He’s in the top 10 of three of the four strokes-gained metrics after 36 holes so he’s not using smoke or mirrors. … Shrewd gamers are following the development of Aaron Wise. After squaring six bogeys to one birdie in Round 1, he flipped the script with a bogey-free 67 to move up 84 spots to sit T38. He cashed six times from 11 events this season and all of his checks are T33 or better. 3 down                               Fantasy golf is hard. REAL golf is even harder. Andrew Putnam entered the field on Wednesday after Vaughn Taylor’s WD and hit the ground running with 70. He dropped from T8 to MC after double hockey sticks (77) on Friday. … Former champion and recent winner Gary Woodland struggles continued after winning Waste Management Phoenix Open. He opened with 71, but he added 75 more today to drop 51 spots and miss the weekend. His best finish in four starts after his win is T49 and includes two MCs. … Luke Donald began the day in the top 10 as well (T8) but those of you just joining us will need to scroll down to T59 to see where he landed after 74. MC HOF The list of premium players heading home early from Palm Harbor is real and spectacular. Jordan Spieth’s issues on the greens continue and his inability to bounce back today was puzzling. I can’t remember the last time he made only three birdies in 36 holes. … Rory McIlroy continues to confound gamers, as his only consistency is his inconsistency.  Of his 13 rounds in the States, 10 are in the 70’s. … Ryan Moore received an interesting look in the PGA TOUR Fantasy One & Done Presented by SERVPRO as he checked in at No. 6. In six rounds in Florida in two events, his best loop was 70. … Jason Dufner’s streak of nine in a row at Valspar is over. Study Hall Friday’s scoring average of 72.29 was over half of a stroke better than Thursday’s 72.81. … There were three bogey-free rounds on Friday after two on Thursday. … Bryson DeChambeau opened with 76 and complained about a back issue. He WD before his 7:34 AM tee time on Friday. … Bud Cauley WD at Honda with a wrist issue. He returned this week and MC (78-73). … Alex Cejka WD at Honda with a thumb injury but will play the weekend after 71-72 (+3). … Tweet of the Day:

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