Carl Pettersson says the proposed rule to ban the anchored stroke for long putters feels like a ‘‘witch hunt,’’ and that golf’s governing bodies were only reacting to three of the last five major champions using belly putters.
‘‘It seems silly to ban something that’s been around for 40 years,’’ Pettersson said in his first comments since the US Golf Association and Royal & Ancient Golf Club announced plans Nov. 28 to outlaw anchored strokes. ‘‘It’s unfortunate. I feel like I’m 16 years behind because I haven’t putted with anything else for 16 years.’’
Pettersson, who qualified for this week’s Tournament of Champions by winning at Hilton Head, began using a broom-handle putter that he anchors to his chest between his sophomore and junior years in college. Keegan Bradley (PGA), Webb Simpson (US Open), and Ernie Els (British Open) used belly putters to win their majors.
Two more months of comment period remain before the rule becomes official, and then it does not take effect until the next Rules of Golf is published Jan. 1, 2016. Even as the long putters were getting more attention, Pettersson made one of the most compelling cases to keep them. It is the only putting stroke he has used during his 10 years on the PGA Tour.
Pettersson long has argued that he has spent thousands of hours practicing the stroke, which did not come naturally to him, and that to start over would put him at an unfair disadvantage. ‘‘I don’t know,’’ he said when asked if he would challenge the rule. ‘‘I’m just going to sit back and see what happens.’’
Pettersson said he tinkered with a few grips during his month at home, though not to the point that he practiced on a real green. He also said he was not surprised by the decision, saying it became clear in the last few months that the USGA and R&A were leaning toward a ban. ‘‘It feels a bit like a witch hunt to me,’’ Pettersson said. ‘‘It was a pure reaction to Keegan and Ernie and Webb. They keep harping on the younger generation using them, but I think they’re going to ban it because it looks bad. But you have strong arguments from other players, too.’’
