The secret weapon behind Xander Schauffele’s maiden major victory

Xander Schauffele won his first ever major at the PGA Championship, holding his nerve to sink a six-footer at the 72nd to edge out Bryson DeChambeau by one. But putter did he use to do it? 

It was an impressive week for the now eight-time PGA Tour winner, who finished on 21-under-par at Valhalla, and while his stats were incredibly impressive throughout the week, there were some that stand out from his four rounds. 

He drove the ball well all week with his Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke driver, hitting 73% of fairways and 83% of greens in regulation, and he only carded two bogeys and one double all week. 

The talking point, however, has been his putter, which turned out to be a bit of a secret weapon. 

Averaging 28 putts per round and 1.6 putts per green in regulation, we can agree that his putter was on form. He was 13th in Strokes Gained: Putting at 4.704, and that incredible first round of 62 it set the tone for his week. 

• 34 very random thoughts and takeaways from Valhalla

• What else is in Xander Schauffele’s major-winning bag? 

What putter does Xander Schauffele use?

The putter he used to claim his first major is an Odyssey Toulon Design Las Vegas Prototype 7CH.

The original 2022 Toulon Las Vegas design is black in colour and has a slant neck, while the prototype Schauffele uses has more of a plumber’s neck style hosel. This will deliver a slight face rotation which is better suited for the new World No 2‘s stroke.

The shape of this fang design is well balanced and high MOI but it also differs with a weighted plate covering the sole. With the weight being distributed to the back of the head it will help with increasing the MOI. The face is the same in what it delivers which is a deep full face groove designed to control sound and feel by channelling vibration. The face also features a medium depth double fly cut to enhance forward roll and feel.  

If there is one thing for certain, the 2024 PGA Championship was rolling the ball brilliantly well. 

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James Tait is bunkered’s Gear Editor. Want to know how the latest Callaway driver, Vokey wedge or Scotty Cameron putter performs? He’s the guy to ask. Better yet, just watch his videos on the bunkered YouTube channel. One of the biggest hitters in the UK, James also competes on the World Long Drive circuit and is a descendent of former Amateur champion Freddie Tait.

Gear Editor