Scottie Scheffler’s putting game got a major makeover Thursday at the Hero World Challenge, but it was Cameron Young who stole the show in the Bahamas.
Young shot a stunning 64 to take the lead, despite not having played competitively since August. He was absolutely on fire around the greens at Albany Golf Club, sinking four massive birdie putts from 15 feet or beyond.
Name
Events
Top 10
Money
Cameron Young
73
18
$15,970,783
Justin Thomas, fresh off becoming a new dad just weeks ago, sits two shots back after an impressive round that included four straight birdies late in the day.
But all eyes were on world No. 1 Scheffler and his new putting technique. The 27-year-old star, who’s been practically unstoppable this year with eight wins including Olympic gold, decided to try something different: a “claw grip” for shorter putts.
“I’m always looking for ways to improve,” Scheffler said simply.
The new grip involves resting the putter between his right thumb and fingers, with his left index finger pointing down the shaft. It’s quite a change for someone who’s dominated everything except putting this year.
The experiment seems to be working. Scheffler shot a solid 67, leaving him just three shots off the lead.
Young, meanwhile, looked like he hadn’t missed a beat during his three-month break. He’s still hunting for his first PGA Tour win, and his bogey-free round showed he means business.
“The wind wasn’t blowing much so it was relatively stress-free,” Young said, making it sound easier than it was.
Justin Thomas also came to Nassau ready to experiment, bringing a longer driver to gain some extra yards. The gamble paid off.
“I drove the hell out of it on the back,” Thomas said. The new club gives him an extra 10 yards in the air.
Patrick Cantlay matched Scheffler’s 67, as did rising stars Ludvig Åberg, Akshay Bhatia, and Sahith Theegala.
The conditions were perfect for scoring – so perfect that only four players in the 20-man field failed to break par. Jason Day had the toughest day, finishing with a 75.
