Reitan’s equipment shift fuels third-round surge at PGA Championship
Kristoffer Reitan’s decision to revert to a previous model of club, citing improved feel on Aronimink’s fast greens, resulted in a significant statistical rebound in strokes gained putting.
Norwegian golfer Kristoffer Reitan executed a last-minute equipment change minutes before the third round of the 2026 PGA Championship at Aronimink, switching from his newer Ping PLD Custom Ally Blue H putter to an older Ping Harwood model. The decision, made just prior to tee time, followed Reitan’s recent victory at the Truist Championship, where he utilised the newer club. The adjustment yielded immediate results, as Reitan shot a five-under-par 65 to move into a tied 12th position on the leaderboard.
Reitan, who captured the $20 million Truist Championship in only his 15th PGA Tour start, described the choice as driven by tactile preference rather than superstition. He noted that the older Harwood putter featured a "really, really soft" insert, which allowed for a more positive stroke without the fear of the ball running away. This contrasted with the newer model, which he felt did not provide the necessary control for the specific conditions at Aronimink.
The statistical impact of the switch was stark. After ranking 86th and 130th in strokes gained/putting during the first two rounds, Reitan climbed to eighth in the category after the third round. The Harwood putter had previously been instrumental in securing two significant wins on the DP World Tour the previous year, a performance that helped Reitan earn his PGA Tour card.
Course conditions at Aronimink, known for their fast and undulating "potato-chip shaped" greens, likely influenced the efficacy of the equipment change. Additionally, the PGA of America provided more gettable pin positions in the third round, potentially aiding the scoring environment. Reitan acknowledged that the success of the switch could be attributed to the venue's characteristics or his own technical execution, stating, "It could have been my fault too easily."
Despite the on-course success, Reitan admitted to feeling drained following his emotional Truist victory. This marked only his fourth major start, and he described himself as an "iron man" having played nine tournaments in the last 10 weeks. He noted that regaining focus after a win on the PGA Tour was a new challenge, but the significance of the major provided additional energy to continue his campaign.
