Tiger Woods reacts after testing out Justin Thomas’ new putter ahead of the Open Championship

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Tiger Woods is back in action at this week’s Open Championship – and the 15-time major champion has been enjoying himself during his practice rounds at Royal Troon.

After footage emerged of Woods’ impressive iron play, expectation levels have once again risen as he seeks major number 16.

The 48-year-old took to Troon with Justin Thomas and Max Homa on Monday as final preparations were made for the 152nd edition of golf’s most prestigious tournament.

And interestingly, Woods was seen testing out a brand new club in Thomas’ bag.

Tiger Woods’ verdict on Justin Thomas’ new putter

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Thomas’ struggles on the greens have been well-publicised this year. The 31-year-old is currently one of the worst putters on the PGA Tour, ranking 157th for strokes gained putting.

As a result, the American opted to switch to a Scotty Cameron Phantom 9.2 prototype for last week’s Scottish Open, a design that is nearly identical to Jordan Spieth’s new flat stick.

Now, in a video shared by the R&A, Woods was seen testing out Thomas’ new putter at Royal Troon.

“It’s got a good feel to it,” said Woods [6mins]. “It’s different than the other one.”

Justin Thomas explains putter switch

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After Thomas carded a superb eight-under 62 during the first round of the Scottish Open, the early signs were certainly good.

And after his dismal season thus far on the greens, a change was certainly needed for the 31-year-old. Speaking to Golf Week, Thomas revealed he was inspired to change after testing out Spieth’s prototype.

“Paul Vizanko of Scotty Cameron had made one for Jordan, just for him to have and to mess with and to see how he liked it,” Thomas said. “I happened to be staying with Jordan a couple of times over that stretch when he got it, and I picked it up and thought it looked amazing.”

The two-time major champion went on to explain why the new Scotty Cameron design could be beneficial.

He added: “I thought it felt great, and talking with Paul about it, there were a lot of characteristics in the way the putter was built that helped a pretty good amount of my bad tendencies, I would say, that are in my stroke. It’s just able to help that, so I asked them to make me up one and send me one.”