Equipment changes aren’t a new thing on the professional circuits, but the stakes at East Lake are unlike any other week. With a $40 million tournament purse on the line, most players stick to what works. Not Cameron Young. Following the opening round, the American sat in last place until an eight-under-par 62 propelled him into a tie for fourth.
According to Golf Monthly, Young made a significant switch to his flat stick during the week. He moved from a Scotty Cameron Phantom 9.5R Tour Prototype, which he used throughout 2026, to a Phantom 10.5 Xperimental. The new club includes an aluminum face plus a full length alignment line on the crown. This bold move worked immediately. After two rounds, Young ranks third in Strokes Gained: Putting and led the statistic on Friday, gaining 3.5 shots on the field.
Why the Change Matters
The decision to switch gear in the middle of a $10 million battle shows just how desperate the situation was for Young. Pressure at East Lake forced a switch, even though he reportedly tested the putter earlier in the season before returning to his old model. The results speak for themselves. “Again, it was very hesitant and very reactive on the last two weeks on why I wanted to change it, but it was a good gamble,” Young said.
He wasn’t the only big name making a change, either. Tommy Fleetwood also introduced a new TaylorMade Spider Tour V to his set-up. The Englishman had previously used a Tour X, which helped him claim the title last year, but this week he opted for a model with lasered alignment lines instead of hand-drawn Sharpie marks. Fleetwood fired a four-under-par first round and ranked sixth in Strokes Gained: Putting, proving that sometimes a tweak to the equipment can unlock a player’s potential when the pressure is highest.
What This Means for the Weekend
The shift in equipment strategy highlights a key truth about competitive golf: when the money is this big, players will do anything to find an edge. Young’s climb from the bottom of the leaderboard to the top tier shows that confidence in one’s gear can be just as important as swing mechanics. If a player feels the putter is working, they are more likely to trust their read and make the stroke.
This isn’t just about technology; it’s about psychology. Young is now paired with World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler for the third round, a pairing that could define the weekend. The American has shown he can shoot low numbers when he believes in his tools. With the FedEx Cup trophy and the massive prize money still up for grabs, the next 36 holes will test whether this equipment gamble can sustain a win.
Next Steps on the Course
The action moves to Saturday for the third round, where the field will be split into groups based on their scores. According to Golf Monthly, Cameron Young and Scottie Scheffler tee off at 2:31 pm local time (EDT). This late start gives the pair a chance to see how the course plays later in the day.
The leaders, Ryan Gerard and Viktor Hovland, will also tee off in the final pairing at 2:55 pm. With 15 players within five shots of the lead, the Moving Day at East Lake promises to be chaotic. Everyone is looking for a low score to secure their spot in Sunday’s final round and the chance to win the $10 million check.
