Justin Thomas makes big gear switch after recent struggles

Two-time major winner Justin Thomas has made a significant change to his set up, as he tries to fight his way out of a slump.

The 30-year-old, who has missed the cut in four of his last six starts, is using a new putter this week in a last-ditch attempt to beat his woes on the green.

Thomas is using a Scotty Cameron prototype Phantom X9 putter, with a 38-inch counterbalanced shaft, and joked that he will ‘putt with a shoe’ if that lowers his scores.

He said: “I’ll putt with a shoe if it means I’II make everything, as long as it’s a Scotty Cameron shoe. It’s something I feel comfortable with.

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“Obviously to go back and forth just because of where we’re at in the season, but at the end of the day I’m going to play with what I feel like is going to give me the best chance for success and good
play, and that’s what I did, and I still have faith in it.”

The American has endured a torrid time on the course since missing the cut at the Masters in April, with all parts of his game faltering.

However, one look at Thomas’ stats on the PGA Tour this season reveals a clear weakness, and that has been his putting.

Before struggling to rounds of 82 and 71 at the Open last week, Thomas ranked 152nd in Strokes Gained: Putting, losing 0.262 strokes to the field.

That 11-over-par curtain raiser at Royal Liverpool left Thomas “speechless”, as he carded his worst-ever round in a major championship.

The two-time Ryder Cupper has stumbled down to 24th in the Official World Golf Rankings (OWGR) and understands his place on the team in Rome is under threat.

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He said: “I want to make the Ryder Cup more than anything, I’m probably trying too hard. I’m hitting a lot of good shots; (but) just making so many bonehead mistakes.

“It’s not like I’m going to write Zach a love letter or anything. I would like to think my record is my best argument.”

He currently sits 14th on the US team points list, meaning he needs to rely on one of six captain’s picks from Zach Johnson.

The FedEx Cup play-offs are fast approaching, and Thomas is at risk of missing out on a place in the Tour Championship field for the first time since 2014.

Thomas, who has 15 wins on the PGA Tour, is 78th on the FedEx Cup standings.

John Turnbull A graduate of the University of Stirling, John joined the bunkered team in 2023 as a Content Producer, with a responsibility for covering all breaking news, tour news, grassroots content and much more besides. A keen golfer, he plays the majority of his golf at Falkirk Golf Club. Top of his 'bucket list' is a round of Pebble Beach... ideally in the company of Gareth Bale.