Evening Telegraph (First Edition)
Swafford hoping putting improves
DEFENDING champion Hudson Swafford believes he needs to make his putter a “weapon” once more to have a chance of retaining his CareerBuilder Challenge title.
A late hat-trick of birdies gave Swafford his maiden PGA Tour title 12 months ago, a closing 67 giving him a one-shot victory over Canada’s Adam Hadwin.
The 30-year-old has made the cut in all six of his starts to date in the wrap around 2017-18 season but has yet to finish better than 28th in a full-field event.
“I just need to get the putter a little hotter,” the world No 90 said: “I’m starting to hit the ball pretty well, just the last few weeks the putter hasn’t been as warm as it normally is.
“At this time last year the putter was really a weapon. But I’m doing the right things, made a new equipment change, just getting comfortable with that. However, if I just see a couple of putts fall I’ll be right back where I was last year.”
Swafford went on to finish 38th in the FedEx Cup last season, with only the top 30 on the money list advancing to the Tour Championship at East Lake in Atlanta.
“That’s a huge goal,” Swafford added. “I feel like my game’s more consistent, I feel like my all around game’s better, so the goal is kind of top 20 in the FedEx Cup.
“Making it to Atlanta sets up your whole next year, gives you a lot more freedom.
“You can set your schedule at the beginning of the year. So that’s kind of the target and kind of what I’m looking for.”
The pro-am event takes place over three courses in Southern California, the Stadium Course at PGA West, La Quinta Country Club and the Nicklaus Tournament Course.
Every pro-am team will play each course once, with the top 70 professionals after 54 holes contesting the final round on the Stadium Course.
Jon Rahm headlines the field. The world No 3 will be looking to build on his second place in the Sentry Tournament of Champions.
HOLE-IN-ONE