[Yoda]

I didnt see Phil on the weekend. In addition to the changes mentioned did he adopt Hitting putting , like Dave Stockton employs? Was he thrusting?

Phil lit it up on the front nine of THE TOUR Championship Saturday, using only ten putts in the nine holes. As it happens, I was having lunch with Butch Harmon in caddie/instructor hospitality at the time. He obviously was pleased with the performance and began to tell me about Phil's visit with Dave Stockton (which, at that time, few knew anything about).

I had to ask:

Yoda: Interesting. But, Dave and Phil's strokes are entirely different. What did he learn . . . ?

Butch: [Blank stare.]

Yoda: I mean, Dave freezes his right shoulder and bends and straightens his right elbow. In right-handed terms, Phil freezes his right elbow and rocks his right shoulder. Two totally different strokes. And, it appears to me that Phil has not changed his basic action.

[For TGMers . . .

DAVE -- Putt Minor Basic Stroke (10-3-E / Motionless Right Shoulder) and Push Major Basic Stroke (10-3-C / Right Elbow 'up and out' and bending and straightening).

PHIL -- Punch Major Basic Stroke (10-3-A / Right Elbow at 'side') with the Right Arm Power Accumulator (the Bent Right Elbow) Zeroed and with Power supplied by the Paw Minor Basic Stroke (10-3-H / Rocking Shoulders).]



Butch: Well, they worked on some things in the stance. And confidence. He helped his confidence.

Yoda: Yeah, Dave's great there. Got a lot out of his own game, that's for sure.

Butch: You got that right.