Browsing: Justin

In past Ryder Cups, putting has always been a key factor for winning matches. A clutch putt — like the one Justin Leonard drained on the par-4 17th hole at Brookline in the 1999 Ryder Cup — has the ability to shift momentum, pump up teammates, ignite the crowd and fuel a comeback… or even a win.

With so much riding on the flatstick, it’s no surprise that players are dialing in their putters ahead of Friday’s opening round. And one player’s putting routine caught my eye.

You may have seen footage of Justin Rose fine-tuning his stroke during Monday’s practice round. To the average golfer, it may have seemed like Rose had a lot going on, as he was utilizing a few training aids at once. However, Paxton O’Connor, a GOLF Teacher to Watch, explained Rose’s set up was much simpler than it seemed, and that amateurs could stand to learn a lot from the major champion.

Let’s break down a few keys from Rose’s putting practice and learn how they can help you dial in your own putting stroke.

Visualization is key

This might look like your standard gate drill, but O’Connor says that Rose is likely working on more than his start line.

“The first observation I made was that his eyes are smoothly moving along the line and then trace back,” he says, “Then, he holds that picture and makes a committed stroke.”

By visualizing the path his ball will take, Rose is able to “see” his putt before he hits it which allows him to step up and hit it knowing he’s selected the proper line and speed. Honing this skill ahead of the Ryder Cup will help Rose stay cool over pressure putts and strike when the iron is hot.

While visualization is not a new technique — elite players like Nick Faldo and Ben Crenshaw have been using it for years — it is still somewhat unknown to amateurs and newer golfers. However, everyone, regardless of skill level, can benefit from incorporating this powerful tool into their pre-shot routine. Not only will visualization boost your confidence, but it will help combat nerves and keep you committed — even when the pressure is on.

Focus on start line

The gate drill is a simple but incredibly effective way to ensure your putts start on line — and that’s key, because a putt that starts on line has the best chance of going in.

In the clip above, you can see Rose using the gate drill to check his start line.

“[The gate] is serving as a reference for start line control. Basically, he’s looking to see if it’s starting on the intended start line and if his face angle at impact is within a certain parameter to get it through the gate,” O’Connor says.

What makes this drill so useful is the immediate feedback it provides. You’ll quickly see whether your putts are starting on line, where your misses are, and what your typical miss might be.

To set it up, O’Connor says to place two tees — or a device like the one below — about 10–12 inches in front of your ball, directly on your intended start line. Then, hit a few putts. If you’re dialed in, each ball will start on line and roll right through the gate.

Short Game Gains Tour Toolkit

Short Game Gains Tour Toolkit

The Tour Toolkit was designed with feedback from professional golfers and world class instructors. Many of the individuals that we spoke to prioritized two things in their technique: A consistent stroke path and start line. Previously, these things weren’t all that easy to practice at the same time- so we developed the idea for the Tour Toolkit.
This bundle includes the Path Perfectors, All Terrain Gate, and a marking pen. With various ways to combine them, you can create a station on the green that gives you instant feedback on your stroke, aim, and start line. Who said putting practice had to be boring?

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Create reference points

One of the key takeaways from Rose’s putting routine is his use of reference points. What does that mean? As O’Connor explains, Rose has essentially built a “calibration station” that helps him adjust to new greens more quickly.

If you look closely, you’ll see he’s using a TempoStik — a digital training aid that provides visual and auditory feedback for rhythm and tempo. He’s also placed two tees in the ground to mark the limits of his backswing and through-swing. Together, these tools help Rose calibrate his stroke and dial in his speed control.

“Essentially, he’s calibrating his setup and stroke for that day,” O’Connor says, “It’s nice to have something to reference back to and calibrate from.”

It’s a great example of how structure and routine can make your practice more purposeful. Whether you’re using a training aid or just a couple of tees, creating your own reference points is one of the quickest ways to adjust to green speeds and boost distance control — which will be especially crucial this week at the Ryder Cup.

South-Africa born Broad, 25, has had an excellent red-ball season scoring 630 runs at an average of 48 and picking up 24 wickets.

He scored more than 300 runs in this year’s T20 Blast including 61 off 39 balls in the Steelbacks’ semi-final defeat by the Hawks.

Broad, who plays T20 international cricket for Germany, has signed a two-year extension to his existing deal that now runs until the end of the 2028 season.

Head coach Darren Lehmann said Broad was a “future leader” of the team and had been “really impressive” this season.

“He’s performed brilliantly in all formats so we’re delighted to be keeping him,” Lehmann said., external

“He’s a future leader of the club and the way he goes about his work is exceptional.”

Scrimshaw, who made his only appearance for England so far against Ireland in a one-day international exactly two years ago, said he was “absolutely delighted” to be staying at Wantage Road and that he had “loved my time here so far”.

“After missing a year due to injury last season I’m very thankful to the club for showing faith in me,” he added., external

“I’ll continue to put in the hard work to put the performances I know I can for the team.”

The new deals for Scrimshaw and Broad come a day after all-rounder Rob Keogh agreed fresh terms for 2026.

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Jim Harbaugh, Justin Herbert and the Los Angeles Chargers are rolling.

The team improved to 3-0 with a game-winning field goal against the Denver Broncos on Sunday. It marks the first time they’ve started a season 3-0 in 23 years.

Fans hyped both Los Angeles’ thrilling win plus the undefeated start on social media after the game.

The Chargers started their season off with a bang, taking down the Kansas City Chiefs in Brazil. From there, they took down another divisional opponent in the Las Vegas Raiders. Now, Los Angeles is in firm control of the AFC West and is looking to win the division for the first time since 2009.

The common denominator in all of the Chargers’ wins has been elite play from Herbert. The quarterback has thrown for a league-best 860 yards and six touchdowns, the second-most in the NFL.

Herbert, now in his sixth season, is hoping to cross the threshold of becoming one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL, and he’s off to a fantastic start. If he can continue this kind of play while leading the Chargers to more wins, he could very well be in the MVP conversation.

After the 3-0 start, things won’t get much more difficult next week as the Chargers face the New York Giants, but they’ll get a big test the following week against the Washington Commanders.

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A lackluster offensive showing from Geno Smith, Ashton Jeanty and the Las Vegas Raiders led to a 20-9 loss to Justin Herbert and the Los Angeles Chargers on Monday night in Vegas.

Smith struggled throughout the night, completing 24-of-43 passes for 180 yards with three interceptions and three sacks. Jeanty, the Raiders’ No. 6 overall pick, saw limited usage, finishing with 43 yards on 11 carries. Jakobi Meyers led the receiving corps with six catches for 68 yards.

Meanwhile, Herbert completed 19-of-27 passes for 242 yards and two touchdowns, connecting with both Keenan Allen for a score and 54 yards and Quentin Johnston who had 71 yards for a score. The Chargers improved to 2-0.

With the loss, the Raiders dropped to 1-1. Fans expressed frustration over the offense’s lack of production, the turnovers and the minimal involvement of Jeanty in the game plan.

Smith was intercepted on the game’s first play by linebacker Daiyan Henley, setting up a 38-yard field goal from Cameron Dicker. After the Raiders tied it with a 54-yard field goal from Daniel Carlson, Herbert found Allen for a touchdown late in the first quarter to take a 10-3 lead.

Las Vegas added another field goal early in the second, but Herbert responded with a 60-yard touchdown strike to Johnston to make it 17-6. Smith was picked off again before halftime, this time by safety Tony Jefferson, as the Chargers took the lead into the break.

Dicker added another field goal in the third to stretch the lead to 20-6. The Raiders controlled the clock with an 11-minute drive that ended in a field goal, but their offense stalled again late. After a turnover on downs gave Las Vegas a short field, Smith threw his third interception, this one grabbed by cornerback Donte Jackson, ending the comeback bid.

Despite a late-game fumble forced by a big hit from Maxx Crosby, the Raiders failed to capitalize, and the Chargers held on to cruise to the win.

The Raiders will look to bounce back against Jayden Daniels and the Washington Commanders on the road on Sunday.

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