What's in the Bag | 2025 The Sentry

2025 The Sentry | Plantation Course at Kapalua

Name: Hideki Matsuyama
Country: Japan
Age: 32
Turned Pro: 2013

The Opening Drive: Matsuyama’s Putter Switch and the Rise of Center-Shafted Putters

The 2025 PGA TOUR season is off to an electrifying start with the Opening Drive, and golf enthusiasts have plenty to buzz about. The Sentry Tournament of Champions showcased not just the world’s best players but also a treasure trove of cutting-edge equipment. From next-gen drivers to high-performance golf balls, the pros brought their A-game in pursuit of perfection. But the week's biggest story didn’t come from the latest club release or a flashy endorsement. Instead, Hideki Matsuyama—armed with a newly discovered putter—stole the show at Kapalua, breaking the PGA TOUR’s 72-hole scoring record and claiming his 11th TOUR win.

Matsuyama’s secret weapon? A center-shafted Scotty Cameron 009 M Tour Prototype. It’s a putter switch that not only turned heads but also turned his game around. The reigning champion confessed to spotting the putter in the hands of another player, which inspired him to get one for himself. “I saw somebody else using it and I thought, ‘Oh, this looks good,’ so I had them make one, and I'm using it this week,” Matsuyama shared with his trademark humility.

A Bold Move Pays Off

Coming off a challenging 2024 season where he ranked 121st in Strokes Gained: Putting, Matsuyama’s performance at The Plantation Course was nothing short of transformative. Gaining 5.42 strokes on the greens, he made nearly 400 feet of putts and logged 35 one-putts, including a remarkable stretch of six in a row during the final round.

This wasn’t Matsuyama’s first successful putter swap. A switch to a Scotty Cameron Craftsman Squareback Tour Prototype fueled his victory at the 2024 FedEx St. Jude Championship. But the decision to go with a center-shafted putter in Maui marked a significant departure—and a triumphant return to a design he hadn’t gamed in years.

What’s Next for Matsuyama?

While Matsuyama’s latest flatstick delivered a win in Hawaii, history suggests he’s not afraid to experiment. It wouldn’t be surprising to see a new putter in his bag the next time he tees it up. For now, though, his success serves as a reminder of the power of the right equipment—and the endless quest for improvement in this great game we all love. Whether you're looking to shave strokes off your game or simply keep up with the latest trends, this season promises plenty of inspiration from the best players in the world. Stay tuned, golfers—this is just the beginning!