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Even after he had climbed to the top of the world rankings, there were some doubts about Scheffler’s game.<\/p>\n
The statistics proved he was the best from tee to green. They also proved he was among the worst with the putter.<\/p>\n
A call was made to English putting guru Phil Kenyon – whose client list is a who’s who of major champions – in a bid to improve with the flatstick.<\/p>\n
Attention was particularly paid to Scheffler’s reading of the greens and increasing the stability of his grip.<\/p>\n
Switching to a claw grip – where the right hand acts as a pincer lower down the shaft – has transformed Scheffler into one of the most reliable putters in the game.<\/p>\n
The tweak helped him become the first player to defend the PGA Tour’s Players Championship, win a second Masters, Olympic gold and five other titles in a stellar 2024 that also had echoed Woods.<\/p>\n
Leading the putting statistics after three rounds at Portrush, having holed 97% of his putts inside five feet and 90% of those within 10 feet, put him in command. He holed putts of 14, 15 and 16 feet on Sunday.<\/p>\n
“[The grip] was something we tested out last year and felt comfortable from the start,” Scheffler said.<\/p>\n
“I use it as we get closer to the hole, lag putting. Outside of 15 to 20 feet, I’m still putting conventional.<\/p>\n
“It was something we felt could help us improve, and so far it has.”<\/p>\n
While improved putting has taken Scheffler to Woods-esque heights, will it help him move closer to replicating Woods’ achievements over the longer term? That remains to be seen.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n