Novi, MI – Despite tricky, windy conditions with crosswinds and gusts reaching 30 mph, a 2Thumb putting grip player posted a round of three under par, 69, during Round One of the 2025 Arnold Palmer Invitational, at Bay Hill Club and Lodge in Orlando, just two shots back of day one leader Wyndham Clark.
More than 75% of the field failed to break par during the opening round Thursday with an average score of 74.624.
“The players all know when they show up here that the rough is going to be long, the greens are going to be incredibly fast and firm, and it’s going to be a test,” said PGA Tour player and grandson of Arnold Palmer, Sam Saunders.
Others who shot 69 in the opening round included Shane Lowry, Corey Conners and Keegan Bradley.
“It was still difficult to putt in this wind. So, I had a lot of 25, 30-footers that I just lagged up close, and just tried to make some stress-free pars,” said the 2THUMB player from South Africa.
A five-time world champion, the 2THUMB player shot a total of 278 to tie for 19th on Sunday along with Sungjae Im and Si Woo Kim. He is currently ranked third on the PGA Tour in Strokes Gained: Putting.
The two-time Presidents Cup International team member and two-time Olympian, uses the SNUG TOUR 30 featuring the grip’s signature smooth and flat front-facing design to ensure consistent grip alignment, and a rounded underbelly that fits in the lifeline of the player’s palm.
The SNUG 30 is an incredibly versatile grip that accommodates a variety of putting grip styles, from Conventional, Claw, Left hand low, Prayer etc.
For more information, go to www.usa.twothumbgrip.com.
About 2THUMB Grips
2THUMB was founded in the U.K. in 2004 and has had great international success on the DP World Tour and the PGA Tour. Former Super Stroke owner, Darin Dingman, launched 2THUMB Grip North America in 2022 and oversees product design, marketing, operations, and sales.
2THUMB offers a range of ergonomically designed putter grips that aid in grip alignment, help prevent grip twist, and promote a consistent, confident putting stroke. The 2THUMB product line includes six models. Most models offer different cross-section dimensions and length options bringing the total to 18 available grips.
For media requests or samples: please contact “Holly G” Geoghegan, Golf Marketing Services, holly@golfmarketinginc.com, 321-303-9684.
