Gary Woodland’s Opening 64 in Houston Followed a Key Putter-Grip Change Ahead of Memorial Park

A fast start at Memorial Park

Gary Woodland opened the Texas Children’s Houston Open in Houston with a 6-under-par 64, immediately placing himself among the early contenders at Memorial Park Golf Course. The round drew attention not only for the score but for the practical adjustment that helped produce it: a significant change to his putting setup.

In professional golf, equipment tweaks are common, but changes made close to tournament play carry heightened risk. Woodland’s opening 64 offered a clear case study in how a targeted modification can influence performance without requiring an overhaul of an entire bag.

The equipment change: moving to an oversized putter grip

The central adjustment was Woodland switching to an oversized grip on his putter. Oversized grips are used by many tour players to alter how the hands and wrists behave during the stroke. The goal is typically to reduce excessive hand action, encourage a more stable face through impact and improve start-line consistency—particularly under pressure or on faster, firmer putting surfaces.

For Woodland, the grip change has been associated with immediate improvements in confidence and results in past high-profile starts, including an opening-round 64 at a major championship where he described the shift as helping his putting feel “click.” The same underlying logic applied in Houston: a relatively simple change aimed at making the stroke more repeatable rather than mechanically complex.

Why a grip change can matter in Houston

Memorial Park’s modern championship setup places a premium on controlling misses and converting chances on the greens. Even strong tee-to-green play can be undermined by tentative putting, while a reliable stroke can convert a solid ball-striking day into a low number like 64.

From a performance standpoint, the grip is one of the few components a player can change quickly without altering swing dynamics. Unlike a driver or iron switch—which can affect launch, spin, curvature and distance gapping—adjusting a putter grip mainly targets feel, face control and tempo.

Context: Woodland’s recent Houston form and comeback trajectory

Woodland’s Houston performance has carried added significance in the last year. In 2025, he produced one of his best weeks since undergoing brain surgery in 2023, finishing tied for second at the Texas Children’s Houston Open and closing with a course-record-tying 62 at Memorial Park. That result represented a major competitive milestone in his return to top-level form.

The opening 64 in Houston therefore fit into a broader pattern: when Woodland’s putting becomes more predictable, his power and ball-striking can translate into immediate contention.

What to watch next

• Whether Woodland sustains the putting gains as green speeds and wind conditions fluctuate across rounds.
• If the grip change continues to support short putts and pace control—two areas that often determine whether early low rounds turn into weekend contention.
• How his approach play holds up at Memorial Park, a course that can punish slight misses with difficult up-and-downs.

In a sport defined by fine margins, Woodland’s opening 64 illustrated how a single, well-chosen equipment adjustment—an oversized putter grip—can have outsized impact when paired with strong ball-striking.