Equipment choices often signal shifts in approach, and at the 2026 WM Phoenix Open, Brooks Koepka followed Scottie Scheffler.

Five-time major champion Brooks Koepka followed the approach used by Scottie Scheffler at the 2026 WM Phoenix Open by switching to a TaylorMade Spider mallet putter.

The change aligns with the move Scheffler made in 2024, when the world No. 1 began using the same model.

Since then, Scheffler has relied on the Spider mallet during all of his wins, including victories at the Masters Tournament, THE PLAYERS Championship, the Tour Championship, and the Olympic golf competition.

Despite switching to a TaylorMade Spider mallet putter, Brooks Koepka struggled on the greens in the first round and failed to convert any mid- or long-range chances.

Underdog Golf posted on Feb. 6, Brooks Koepka’s first-round putting data following the switch: –3.7 SG: Putting, 29 total feet of putts made, and no putts holed from beyond five feet.

At the 2026 WM Phoenix Open, Koepka finished two rounds at 2-over par and missed the cut. Although his second round showed improvement, it was not enough to extend his week, marking his second start since returning to the PGA Tour.

Over the two rounds at the WM Phoenix Open, putting proved to be Koepka’s main challenge, particularly in the opening round.

As a result, he set aside his longtime Scotty Cameron on Thursday and opted for a mallet, switching to a TaylorMade Spider Tour X.

However, the change did not lead to improved results on the greens.

Returning to TPC Scottsdale for the first time since 2022, the two-time tournament winner (2015, 2021) faces pressure to improve in the second round to extend his week.

That context raises the question of what prompted Brooks Koepka to alter his putter setup ahead of the 2026 WM Phoenix Open.

Why Brooks Koepka Changed His Putter Ahead of the WM Phoenix Open

At Torrey Pines, Brooks Koepka finished last among the 74 players who played the weekend in Strokes Gained: Putting, losing more than seven strokes to the field. 

In his first PGA Tour start since leaving LIV Golf, the result stood out. As a result, Koepka spent extended time on the practice green ahead of the WM Phoenix Open. 

He arrived carrying his longtime Scotty Cameron blade, used during multiple major victories, along with several TaylorMade Spider mallet putters.

Koepka’s dissatisfaction with putting at Torrey Pines led to a putter change ahead of the tournament.

However, issues extended beyond the greens in the opening round, leaving Koepka needing a lower score on Friday to reach the cut line.

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Written by

Aditi Singh

Edited by

Joyita Das