GULLANE, Scotland (AP) — One of the big surprises Thursday in the British Open came from Carl Pettersson. For the first time in a major, he’s using a conventional putter.
Pettersson has used a long putter ever since he was in college, and the Swede has anchored it against his chest his entire professional career. A new rule adopted in May means golfers no longer will be able to use anchored strokes starting in 2016.
Pettersson strongly opposed the rule, but he’s going along with it — at a major championship, no less. He has a short putter and uses a “claw” grip.
His caddie says Pettersson first used the short putter on Sunday at the John Deere Classic, where he tied for 54th.
