Rickie Fowler returned to the golf course this week with two big changes in his bag as he looks to end 2024 on a high.
The Californian is taking part at the Sanderson Farms Championship and opened with promising rounds of 69 and 67 to sit just outside the top 30 mark at halfway.
Fowler, who is playing for the first time since making the cut in the Open Championship (71st), headed to Mississippi with changes at both ends of his bag.
Speaking before the event, he revealed that he’d be going with a new putter.
“I had a little extra time to be able to do some more testing with a L.A.B. putter and saw a lot of good things from it,” said Fowler.
“Liked what I’ve seen at home, so giving that a test run this week. Hopefully, we continue to see good things. It’s the DF3, which is a bigger one, not their biggest.
Mini-driver switch
“Outside of that, had a mini-driver from TaylorMade so basically a replacement for 3-wood. Feel like it’s something very beneficial off the tee, especially at a golf course like this, so I’ve seen, again, a lot of good benefits from it.
“A lot of times with new equipment, for the most part everyone out here is not trying new things or putting things into play if they don’t benefit them or be better what’s in there.
“Yeah, ultimately we’re all trying to get better, as am I, and see if there’s little things we can piece together to continue to move forward.”
Fowler also has new-look irons although he revealed the change there is more cosmetic.
“They’re just a black version of the same Cobra King Tours that I was playing, just a different color. I thought they looked a little bit better. Put those straight in.”
Fowler had top 20s at The Heritage (18th) in April and the Travelers Championship (20th) in June but has yet to post a top 10 this season.
He said: “I mean, luckily for me, having won last year, I’m safe on certain things, but there’s definitely things for me to play for.
“Obviously to win and put myself in a better situation, get myself back in a good spot World Ranking-wise, ultimately stay inside Top 125, be in THE PLAYERS.
“Plenty to play for, but at the same time, it’s not life or death.”
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