Pettersson abandons his anchoring for Open

Pettersson abandons his anchoring for Open

Published Jul. 18, 2013 4:51 a.m. ET

One of the big surprises Thursday in the British Open came from Carl Pettersson. For the first time in a major, he's using a conventional putter.

Pettersson has used a long putter ever since he was in college, and the Swede has anchored it against his chest his entire professional career. A new rule adopted in May means golfers no longer will be able to use anchored strokes starting in 2016.

Pettersson strongly opposed the rule, but he's going along with it - at a major championship, no less. He has a short putter and uses a ''claw'' grip.

His caddie says Pettersson first used the short putter on Sunday at the John Deere Classic, where he tied for 54th.

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