Europe are Ryder Cup favourites – Reed

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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Jason Day expects he’ll be praising Brooks Koepka’s layup game as the pair get closer to the par-5 16th at TPC Southwind this week. The 530-yard hole will be a pivotal one in the World Golf Championships – FedEx St. Jude Invitational, but also doubles as the site for a potential $1 million showdown. The pair are in a battle with Dustin Johnson, and potentially a few others, for the season long Aon Risk Reward Challenge – worth $1 million to the winner. Paired with Day over the opening two rounds, Koepka laughed that he won’t fall for the Australian’s reverse psychology and has his driver, along with his verbal jab game, warmed up if he needs it. While Ian Poulter, Jason Kokrak, Justin Thomas, Alex Noren, Gary Woodland and Cameron Smith all have mathematical chances of winning over this week and next, the odds suggest a three-man showdown in Memphis. The Aon Risk Reward Challenge has seen players on the PGA TOUR (and LPGA Tour) record their best two scores on the designated hole of the week throughout the season and an average-to-par calculated. Players must have played 40 rounds at the eligible events to qualify, a feat Day and Koepka have already achieved, while Johnson will hit that mark this week. As it stands, all three are tied at the top, with an average of exactly 1-under par. If they make at least two birdies in their four rounds on the 16th hole this week, their average will stay on that mark. If either of them can make an eagle and a birdie as their best two scores, or perhaps even two eagles, they’d go a long way to securing the title. None of the three have committed to the Wyndham Championship next week, meaning this is their last chance to improve their average unless they join the field in Greensboro by Friday afternoon. Those behind would need to play exceptionally well on the 16th this week, and again at Sedgefield Country Club’s par-5 15th next week to track them down. While the birdie average over the entire season has been impressive by the trio, they have a better score in mind this week. The dogleg left 16th is certainly reachable in two in Memphis. “I think I’ll need at least one eagle and a birdie to get it done and to have four cracks at it is nice. I’m definitely thinking about it,â€� Day said. “The reality is I just have to put it to one side though and execute some good shots. In the last month or two I noticed I was leading and paid more attention to it.â€� Playing for $1 million on a hole is not something taken lightly by Day. His first golf club came from a landfill, and he often had to bathe with water heated by kettle in his childhood. His mother infamously cut the lawn with scissors, as they couldn’t afford a lawnmower. “It’s amazing the opportunities we get on the PGA TOUR and I am extremely grateful,â€� Day added. “It should create some good banter between Brooks and I in the opening few rounds, and I’ll be watching DJ for sure also.â€� Koepka, the FedExCup leader, is deep in a battle to win the $2 million season-long Wyndham Rewards battle also, and as such, promises to be switched on mentally. But he expects the 16th will provide some light-hearted moments. “I’m sure if myself or Jason makes eagle, I’m sure it will ring in the other person’s head,â€� Koepka said. “Anytime you can get a little bit of jabbing going on on the course where it’s lighthearted, it makes it fun, it makes it enjoyable. I like to be jabbed on the course, poked fun of, whether it be a bad shot, great shot, whatever. So it’s fun. Jason’s a good dude, he can laugh and joke and have a good time and that’s what you want.â€� Should there be a tie at the top, a tie-breaker scenario would be imposed. Only the rounds where the players played in the same tournament would be taken into consideration in the tiebreaker. You can follow the scores for the Aon Risk Reward Challenge here.

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