PGA Tour's Keith Mitchell Surges After Mid-Round Putting Grip Switch At WM Phoenix Open
Keith Mitchell made a significant mid-round putting grip change at the WM Phoenix Open that turned his performance around dramatically. After struggling at two-over-par through five holes using a left-hand low grip, he switched back to his conventional grip and went 10-under for the next 31 holes.
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"I flipped my hands on my grip," Mitchell explained. "I started the day yesterday left-hand low for the first five holes and hit zero good putts, so I said, that's enough. Went back to my original conventional grip and was 10-under since then. It's that simple."
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The desperate mid-round change, a first for Mitchell, proved successful as he gained over half a stroke on the field through two rounds at TPC Scottsdale. The switch helped position him just four shots behind leader Thomas Detry heading into the weekend.
Mitchell, seeking his first victory since the 2019 Honda Classic, had already secured three top 35 finishes in his first three tournaments of 2025. While he faced some challenges during Saturday's round, he remained in contention for a strong finish at the $9.2 million tournament.
The former PGA Tour winner's bold strategy demonstrates how even mid-tournament adjustments can significantly impact performance at the highest level of professional golf.