ST. LEON-ROT, Germany, 21 May 2004 — Trevor Immelman cited his recent switch to a ‘belly-putter’ for a dramatic change in fortune as he fired a seven-under-par 65 for a share of the lead in the Tournament Players Championship of Europe first round yesterday.
But his compatriot and world No. 3 Ernie Els, trailing Immelman, Frenchman Gregory Havret and Britain’s David Howell by two strokes, caused controversy when he urged golf’s rule-makers on both sides of the Atlantic to ban the belly-putter.
Els has suffered putting problems recently but said he was not interested in following suit. “I’m not interested in the belly-putter. It should be banned,” he said. “I think nerves and skill in putting is part of the game and you should take a tablet if you can’t handle it. Els said he had spoken to Peter Dawson, the Royal and Ancient’s Europe chief executive, only this week about the issue and added: “I’ve not given up hope the belly-putter will be banned. The R and A and the USGA are looking at it right now.”
While Els has tried a new approach with his putter this week, looking at “striking the ball 100 percent instead of trying to hit the perfect putt all the time,” Immelman was full of praise for the belly-putter.
Immelman is unfazed by the controversy, adding: “Nick Price gave me a couple of great tips last night. Honestly, as long as I keep rolling the ball the way I’ve been rolling with it, then I don’t care what they say.”
Colin Montgomerie, arguably the tour’s most renowned fan of the belly-putter, refused to comment on Els’ views after shooting a 75.
Defending champion Padraig Harrington, blaming putting inadequacies on his round of 70, in which he needed 35 putts, said: “I think it’s (the belly-putter) horrible and I can’t see how you putt with it.
“The putter is anchored so I can understand the concern. If they ban the belly-putter, though, should they also ban the chest and chin putter? I think it would hurt a lot of people.”
