PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. – Adam Scott’s breakthrough at the Masters may have unintentionally sealed the fate for anchoring, as the Australian became the fourth player in the last six majors to win while using a belly or long putter.
With the governing bodies set to announce its decision on the proposed ban sometime this month, Scott insisted Wednesday that he’ll just be glad the debate is over.
“I think I’ll be relieved when it’s all over and we can all get beyond it,” he said at The Players. “I may or may not like the outcome of that, but I think we’ve all spent enough energy on it now.”
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Scott switched to the long putter in February 2011. Despite experiencing only marginal statistical improvement on the greens for the first year and a half, he’s since given himself three good chances in majors, and this season he’s ranked 77th in strokes gained-putting – his best performance since 2007.
Is his major potential dependent on the anchored putter?
Not exactly, Scott said.
“I don’t really have a backup plan,” he said. “I’m just going to keep doing what I’m doing and deal with it then. I don’t think there will be anything much for me to change. If I have to separate the putter a millimeter from my chest, then I’ll do that.”
And if nothing else, he can always putt like his father, Phil. He uses the sidesaddle method.
“He’ll be my putting coach,” Scott said, smiling.
