Welcome to the 2023 Zurich Classic of New Orleans at TPC Louisiana in Avondale, just outside of The Big Easy.

The vibes were especially relaxed this week in New Orleans – 1) because it’s a two-player team event, so players have a bit more camaraderie than most weeks, and 2) because players, caddies, and event-goers are simply excited to be in New Orleans to enjoy the food, weather, culture, and atmosphere.

As with every week on the PGA Tour, however, GolfWRX was there on serious business to explore the golf bags of event participants to see what clubs they’re using, testing, and switching into.

This week, we took a look into the bags of legends David Duval and Steve Stricker (and we spoke with Stricker in-depth about his famous Odyssey putter). We also highlighted Matt Fitzpatrick’s winning setup, Scott Piercy’s freshly lead-taped irons, TaylorMade’s custom New Orleans headcovers, a new Titleist prototype golf ball, the matching wedge stampings of Robert Streb and Troy Merritt, and we got a peek at some new prototype equipment from Odyssey, PXG and KBS shafts.

Below, we dive into a packed Tour Report from the Zurich Classic, but don’t forget to check out all of our photos from New Orleans in the GolfWRX Forums and on the @GolfWRX Instagram page.

A Matty Fitz bag update, fresh off the win in Hilton Head

 

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After winning the 2023 RBC Heritage last week, we had to catch up with Matt Fitzpatrick this week to see his winning setup in person. Of course, Fitzpatrick’s setup is highlighted by his Ping S55 irons, which have been in the bag for over a decade.

We spoke to Fitz for a PGATOUR.com story this week about why he’s still playing the models:

“I feel I’ve had success with them, so why change when you’re in winning form? That’s the big thing for me. I tested other irons a couple years ago in the summer, but these are just the best for me and they fit well. I don’t want to change and try to do anything too different. Just stay with the same.”

In addition to photographing Fitzpatrick’s full WITB in New Orleans, legendary GolfWRX photographer Greg Moore also got a full WITB for Alex Fitzpatrick, who is Matt’s brother and teammate in the two-player Zurich event.

Check out Matt and Alex’s WITBs.

Matching Nawlins-inspired wedge stamps

Some teams wear matching outfits, some have a secret handshake, and others, such as Troy Merritt and Robert Streb, have matching New Orleans-inspired Titleist Vokey wedge stampings. I assume these were hand-stamped and paint-filled by Vokey rep Aaron Dill, so shoutout to the wedge stamp master for duplicating the art on each wedge nearly perfectly. That must have taken some serious patience.

TaylorMa-Du-Monde

Cafe du Monde (French for Cafe of the World) is a New Orleans staple that’s known for its delicious coffee and beignets. The eatery is easy to spot with its green-and-white striped awning, plus the restaurant sells beignet mix and coffee with iconic yellow packaging.

TaylorMade captured the Cafe du Monde branding with custom putter and metalwood headcovers for the event.

See what GolfWRX members are saying about the covers in our forums

David Duval WITB

David Duval, playing alongside John Daly at the Zurich this week, is a self-proclaimed Golf Nerd (that is, at least, if you go by his putter cover). Throughout the years, Duval has brought endless nerd joy to GolfWRX readers and fans with his custom gear, but it’s been awhile since we’ve had the chance to catch up with Duval on his latest setup. We got a long overdue look at every club in Duval’s bag in New Orleans.

Check out Duval’s full 2023 WITB here 

A prototype Odyssey putter

GolfWRX equipment expert Brian Knudson already weighed in with his thoughts on the Odyssey White Hot Versa 7CS prototype putter we spotted at the Zurich this week.

Knudson writes:

“The Odyssey #7 putter has been one of the most popular head shapes in golf. The “fang” style has influenced more than a few putters since it became popular. Odyssey makes a few variants of the #7 and we spotted what looks like a prototype version at the 2023 Zurich Classic. It looks like the head started out its life as a #7 “S” model with a small slant neck that is typically attached near the heel of the putter.”

Read the full story

Stricker speaks on his longtime Odyssey putter

 

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When I asked Stricker personally this week exactly when he put his Odyssey White Hot No. 2 putter into play for the first time, he honestly wasn’t sure. He guessed around 2000-2001, but equipment switches from that long ago are difficult to pinpoint – that’s how long Stricker has been using this putter.

While the exact timing isn’t verified for certain, a Callaway-Odyssey representative estimated it was more like the beginning of 2005 that the putter went into play for the first time.

Either way, Stricker had the putter in the bag for nearly all of his 12 PGA Tour victories, and 12 PGA Tour Champions victories.

That leads me to a question: With over $40 million in career earnings, is Stricker’s putter the second most winning single golf club, money-wise, in history? Obviously, Tiger Woods’ Scotty Cameron putter is number 1. That’s not up for debate. Jack Nicklaus played with his George Low Wizard putter for years, too, but technically he only won $5.7 million throughout his PGA Tour career. Jordan Spieth and his Scotty Cameron 009 certainly have a nice financial relationship, as do Brandt Snedeker and his Odyssey Rossie II, but Stricker just might have second place locked up for now. What do you think?

Stricker has had some very brief flings with other models in the last 20 years, but he’s always come right back to the White Hot No. 2, and it was still in the bag this week at the 2023 Zurich Classic.

We caught up with Stricker for a deep dive into the putter, and here’s what he had to say about the putter (quotes edited for brevity):

You know, I don’t know if a (particular moment with the putter) stands out. I guess just the longevity of it, and Ryder Cups with it. I’ve made some big putts with it over my career. I’ve tried to go away from it at times, but I always gravitate back to it. It’s one of those things, it never goes too far away.

I’ve messed around with grips here or there. I’ve even used a wristlock. I actually won with that at the Bridgestone senior event, and I only did wristlock that one time…Yeah (I do my own putter work on it). I’m noticing that my lead tape is starting to wear off and sliding over, but it’s probably around D2. I had it at D4 starting this year. I’m losing tape as we keep putting it in and out of the bag.

My daughters pick it up every now and then and take a putt with it. Jonathan Byrd picked it up yesterday, and he’s like, ‘Wow, does this feel good.’

It’s one of those things, it feels good, it looks good, and it’s been in my hand a long time. It’s hard to look at something else in my hand.

Check Stricker’s full WITB in our GolfWRX Forums, and read our full deep dive into the putter over on PGATOUR.com

New prototypes from PXG, Titleist, and KBS

Curious for more information and photos on the new PXG Dagger+ putter? Brian Knudson has all the details here.

Knudson also went deep into a new, higher-spinning Titleist Pro V1+ golf ball…

…as well as a bevy of new KBS prototype putter shafts, made in all sorts of vibrant colorways.

The King claims his crown

 

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Sure, other golfers use lead tape on their clubs. Some even use a lot of it. But Scott Piercy is undeniably the King of Lead Tape, and he proved that once again this week at the 2023 Zurich Classic when he showed up to the event with a fresh set of Titleist irons that were slabbed to the moon with lead tape.

Unfortunately, with that, we say goodbye to New orleans and the Zurich Classic. GolfWRX wont be in attendance for the Mexico Open at Vidanta next week, but we’ll be back in full force in Charlotte for the 2023 Wells Fargo Championship.

Until then, enjoy all of our photos from this week at the 2023 Zurich Classic of New Orleans here.