dailyloe.com – Rickie Fowler has changed his driver at the RBC Heritage, following an equipment trend with fellow golfer Gary Woodland. Fowler switched from his Cobra OPTM X driver into the Tour, low-loft Max K model. Gary Woodland used this specific driver model to win a tournament just a few weeks ago. This move sees Fowler following in Woodland’s footsteps after Woodland adopted gear designed for Fowler.
The equipment exchange between the two PGA Tour players appears to be mutual. Earlier this season, Gary Woodland’s bag setup was influenced by Rickie Fowler. Woodland incorporated a custom high-offset Cleveland wedge initially designed for Fowler. Woodland also made the same switch in putters, moving to a center-shafted Scotty Cameron GoLo putter.
Fowler’s new driver still features a UST Mamiya LIN-Q PowerCore White 6TX shaft. He is testing the new head after conversations with Cobra Tour Representative Ben Schomin. Schomin discussed Fowler’s driver fitting process from late last year. According to Schomin, by mid-December they had Fowler fit well into three distinct drivers: the OPTM LS, X, and Max K.
Ben Schomin called this an interesting and good story in comments to GolfWRX. Schomin said having Fowler fit into three drivers was a strong testament to Cobra’s new lineup. The biggest decision for Fowler was trying to decide which driver worked best at that time. Fowler has played the majority of the season with the OPTM X model.
Fowler has also played a couple of tournaments this season with the OPTM LS driver. His overall driving stats have been good, according to Cobra’s Ben Schomin. Fowler has made 6 of 8 cuts on the PGA Tour this season. His best finish is a T9 at the Arnold Palmer Invitational, the last Signature Event.
Rickie Fowler currently sits 18th in the PGA Tour’s Total Driving statistic. This marks the best return he has seen in that stat since the 2018 season. Ben Schomin explained the reason for Fowler’s latest driver change. Schomin said Fowler has confidence in all three driver models and wants to test their performance.
The RBC Heritage at Harbour Town presents a specific opportunity for testing. The course layout lacks a strong necessity for a driver on many holes. There is potential to hit driver on only a few tee shots around the short, tight setup. This might make it the best place to test drive a new big stick, as Schomin implied.
