Jason Day took a rather unorthodox approach to improve his putting game at the U.S. Open at Oakmont Country Club, and the results were striking. Frustrated with his performance on Thursday, where he shot a six-over 76, Day decided to take matters into his own hands, quite literally.
Day revealed that he manually bent his TaylorMade Spider Tour putter after the first round. "Just manually bent it myself, stood on it," Day said. He explained that the putter didn't feel right, appearing a bit hooded with the grip slightly closed. By bending it, he aimed to make it more open, a change that proved highly effective.
The transformation in Day's putting performance was remarkable. On Friday, he carded a three-under 67, a nine-stroke improvement from his first round. He made four birdies and an eagle, gaining 1.66 strokes on the field on the greens. Highlights included a 24-foot birdie putt at the 7th and a 19-foot eagle putt at the 12th.
Other players at Oakmont commented on the challenges of the course. Viktor Hovland emphasized the importance of distance control, while Sam Burns, considered one of the best putters, admitted to focusing on getting close to the hole rather than making long putts. Jon Rahm expressed frustration with good putts that didn't find the hole.
Day's unconventional adjustment highlights the importance of feel and confidence in golf. While most players might rely on sophisticated methods for club adjustments, Day's DIY approach paid dividends. He enters Saturday tied for 12th place, demonstrating that sometimes a simple, hands-on solution is all that's needed.
The Impact of Oakmont's Greens
Oakmont's notoriously difficult greens played a significant role in the first two rounds of the U.S. Open. The slick and sloping surfaces tested the putting skills of even the most seasoned professionals. Day's ability to overcome these challenges with his unique putter adjustment is a testament to his adaptability and mental fortitude.