In an age where stats are easily accessible it would appear that there really hasn’t been a significant improvement in any part of Gary’s game in the last year. He has frequently been referred to as a quality ball striker with putting being his Achilles heel. Last year he was ranked 3rd in strokes gained off the tee, 18th in strokes gained tee to green and 20th in total strokes gained. This year his corresponding rankings are 12th, 9th and 13th. No major differences there and definitely numbers that support the general opinion out there, relative to his ball striking.
When it comes to the flat stick Gary ranked 114th in strokes gained putting in 2018 and was 183rd in putts per round. This year those numbers are 120th and 159th. Major improvement? Not really. So why did he win the US Open? He was 1st in total strokes gained, 2nd in greens in regulation and……..4th in strokes gained putting. Quite simply he had a great putting week, just like pretty much every winner on any tour has to have.
A new putting coach, Phil Kenyon appears to have given Gary the tools to fix his weakness. Like any change, it has been a work in progress but if his performance on the greens at Pebble Beach becomes the new normal, then there appears to be no limit to his potential going forward.