Marco Penge has created a stir at the Genesis Invitational by adding a prototype PXG "Hot Rod" putter to his bag. Given the location and what he was looking for, the Englishman was clearly hoping to find a performance spark at Riviera.  

Penge's bold decision comes at a pivotal moment for him as he is still trying to find his feet on the PGA Tour. Equipment changes are often seen as a last resort, so making this decision at an iconic venue like Riviera is a massive gamble.

A Precision Shift on Riviera's Greens

The "Hot Rod" prototype offers an appealing, aggressive look inspired by high-performance automotive design. PXG constructed the mallet using "Zero Torque" technology, which provides maximum stability for Penge to deal with the notoriously difficult Poa Annua greens.

Penge stated, "The way I putted, especially from inside 10 feet, and my pace behind it has been really on point," after an excellent second round.

After 36 holes, Penge was the leader with 12-under par after shooting a bogey-free round of 7-under 64 on Friday. His performance demonstrated his adaptability with the unreleased prototype.

The third round nerves of "Moving Day" affected Penge's ability to sustain his blistering pace, and although he remains in the hunt for the title, he now is in a tie for 7th at 9-under par.

The sight of a player changing a primary club in the middle of the season often indicates that the player is trying to find a way to break through with their scoring. For Penge, the Hot Rod is not merely a tool, it is a sign of the seriousness of his new equipment sponsorship.

All eyes are on Penge to see if he can keep the momentum throughout the final round at Riviera. The "Hot Rod" has made a statement on a very significant platform in golf, and it will stand as a testament regardless of how the round finishes.

Read more at Daily Club Golf!

Written by

Abhishek Sharma

Edited by

Joyita Das