Lexi Thompson has a new putter in 2018, and, with it, she's found herself in contention to win the first event of the new LPGA season.
Thompson trails Shanshan Feng by two shots heading into the final round of the Pure Silk-Bahamas LPGA Classic, which has been shortened to 54 holes because of strong winds on Friday which forced a day-long stoppage of play.
Before the week started, Thompson spoke about moving from a Bettinardi putter she's used for a while into Brainstorm Golf's Happy Putter Eye Align series. The Happy Putter's Eye Align series uses interchangeable alignment markers to help golfers find the style of marker which suits their eye best. After some testing using each alignment marker -- there are 12 available, but three come with the putter -- Thompson settled on a blue alignment marker, and she's been happy with the results.
"I tried a few different putters in the off-season. I really seemed to like this one," Thompson said Tuesday. "I was struggling with my alignment with the Bettinardi but I was rolling it very well. I love Bettinardi putters. Yeah, I just needed a little alignment change, so this one, it unscrews and you can put all the different alignment guides on it."
The blue-headed putter features to word Happy printed across the face. On the sole of the putter, interchangeable weights allow a golfer to dial in feel.
PURCHASE: Save 10% on the Happy Putter Eye Align series now with code GNN10 at checkout!
Thompson had an opportunity to lock up the season-ending CME Group Tour Championship in November 2017, but she missed a 2-foot putt on the final hole of regulation, opening the door for eventual winner Ariya Jutanugarn. In that putt, Thompson looked uncomfortable with her alignment and ultimately shoved the blade open through impact. With more confidence over the ball that the putter is aligned where she wants it, Thompson feels more comfortable with putts of any length.
Brainstorm Golf worked with Thompson to somewhat replicate her prior Bettinardi putter, and now she has it where she wants it.
Now, can she win with it on Sunday?
