Justin Thomas switched his putter at Genesis Scottish Open after sharing rooms with fellow PGA Tour star
Justin Thomas changed his putter before the 2024 Genesis Scottish Open after being influenced by his best friend and fellow PGA Tour player, Jordan Spieth's choice of club. Thomas has been known for playing with the Scotty Cameron Phantom X 5.5 over the years and that has helped him win his two major titles. However, he has been struggling with his game in recent months.
Thomas has shared a room with his friend Spieth several times during events and tried Spieth's Scotty Cameron prototype mallet putter. He loved it so much that he asked the manufacturer to make him a similar putter. It proved a good decision as the American golfer shot an impressive round of 62 on Thursday, July 11 at the Scottish Open.
Following the opening round of the event, Justin Thomas opened up about his new putter and revealed how staying with Spieth influenced him to make the switch.
"Paul Vizanko of Scotty Cameron had made one for Jordan, just for him to have and to mess with and to see how he liked it. It happened to be staying with Jordan a couple of times over that stretch when he got it, and I picked it up and thought it looked amazing," Thomas said (via Golf Week).
"I thought it felt great, and talking with Paul about it, there were a lot of characteristics in the way the putter was built that helped a pretty good amount of my bad tendencies, I would say, that are in my stroke. It’s just able to help that, so I asked them to make me up one and send me one," he added.
Thomas has a Scotty Cameron Phantom 9.2 in his bag, which is fitted with a graphite shaft. This is the first time he has used a putter with a graphite shaft.
Justin Thomas took the lead at the Genesis Scottish Open after the first round. However, he struggled in the second round, shooting 72 and finishing with a score of -6.
Justin Thomas' performance at the Genesis Scottish Open with a new putter in the bag
Justin Thomas started smoothly at the 2024 Genesis Scottish Open, shooting a bogey-free round with eight birdies in the first round. He began on the first hole with a birdie, added four more birdies on the front nine, and three on the back, finishing with an 8-under 62.
However, after a strong start, he faltered in the second round. He shot a bogey on the 12th hole before adding another bogey on the 15th. He carded two bogeys, two birdies, and a double bogey in the second round to score a 2-over 72. Thomas finished six strokes behind the leader after the second round. The third round is underway at the Renaissance Club, with the finale set to take place on Sunday, July 17.