Tony Finau is turning to an unconventional new club in a bid to rescue his sinking season. The 36-year-old, once tipped as a future major winner after six top-10 finishes in majors between 2019 and 2021, has seen his form plummet. Fast forward to 2026, and he'd be thrilled just to crack the top 10 again.
Finau hasn't managed a single top-10 finish all season, with four missed cuts already on his record. His last victory came at the 2023 Mexico Open, and his most recent brush with PGA Tour glory was two seasons ago. Now, ahead of The Truist Championship at Quail Hollow, he's taken a drastic step—testing a broomstick putter.
For years, Finau has relied on a Ping blade putter, but after a rough start to the year, he's experimenting with a long putter. However, this isn't your typical broomstick like the ones Adam Scott or Akshay Bhatia use. Finau's version is more angled, designed to give him a more comfortable grip. He's not employing Bhatia's claw grip with his right hand, nor is he standing over the club like most long-putter users.
Finau explained his unique approach to Golf WRX before the tournament: "I didn't play last week, so I thought, maybe this is the time to give it a chance. But it never felt good, though. I was holding it different. These guys are doing it like an actual broomstick—holding with a fist at the top, thumb pointing up, and sweeping with the right hand. That never felt comfortable for me, which is why I never gave it a shot before."
He added, "Most people use it because it helps anchor it up here and eliminates any yips. But I felt like I'd get the yips doing it that way. So I actually have to put my hand like this—with my palm facing up—and it feels really nice. I putted for about 45 minutes, just forcing myself to do this. Then I noticed, even on a mat, it was so hard to make a good stroke. I thought, 'Alright, this doesn't feel natural at all.' So I asked myself, 'Is there a way to hold a long putter that actually feels repeatable?'"
As Finau searches for answers, all eyes will be on his unconventional putter at Quail Hollow. For golf fans and apparel enthusiasts alike, it's a reminder that even the pros sometimes need to shake things up when the game gets tough.