Scottie Scheffler says what he’s feeling about his new putting grip after three rounds at the Hero World Challenge

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Scottie Scheffler sprung a big surprise upon his return to competitive golf this week, with the world number one adopting a claw grip on some of the putts he has hit at the Hero World Challenge.

Of course, most eyes were on Scottie Scheffler ahead of the Hero World Challenge. The 28-year-old had one of the greatest seasons of all-time in 2024, and it is hard to believe that he could get close to matching that in 2025.

While Tiger Woods‘ event is not exactly the most prestigious on the calendar, it does provide an opportunity to see what players may have been working on during the off-season. With Scheffler, it appears to be a new putting style.

Scottie Scheffler issues his verdict after change to his putting grip

Scheffler stunned golf fans during the first round by using a claw grip on certain putts. The flat stick has been the one weakness in the Masters champion’s game – though he appeared to have more success once he switched to a mallet this past year.

And after his third round, Scheffler – who finds himself one shot back of Justin Thomas – shared how happy he has been with the change he has made.

“No, I hadn’t been working on it that long. It’s something that’s been discussed and we did it occasionally in practice. I only started taking it serious the last couple months in the off-season,” he said.

“I feel very comfortable with it, I’m pleased with the results. Anytime 10 feet this week I feel really solid. Like I said, the ball’s coming off where I’m looking pretty much every time and that’s a good feeling.”

How Scheffler’s putting compares with his rivals at the Hero World Challenge

Scheffler was 77th on the PGA Tour for strokes gained putting in the 2024 season. So, when you consider that he won eight times worldwide in the year, it could be devastating for the rest of the PGA Tour if the change to the claw proves to be inspired.

The early signs would hint that the change is not exactly going to transform Scheffler’s game. He finds himself in seventh for strokes gained putting this week.

It is hard to draw too many conclusions given that it is a 20-man field. But it is obviously a field which consists of 20 of the best players on the PGA Tour, so the fact that Scheffler is comfortably in the top-half for putting does bode well.