Bhatia and Berger’s Bay Hill bestie barnburner was further confirmation and proof that the Open Stance philosophy promotes superior ball-striking and winning form. We saw the week’s two best players, Akshay Bhatia and Daniel Berger, tame a brute of a golf course and more or less the rest of the field, as well. Putting was prominent.

Akshay led the field in putting. Daniel was rolling it as well. No one wins without filling it up. No one fills it up without being comfortable, which can come from anywhere. For example, maybe the putter feels good in your hands. Perhaps you keep hitting it close to the hole. Then again, maybe your girlfriend or boyfriend has been extra nice to you. Happiness abounds, etc. comfort is, however, a completely psychological ease. Good for those who are feelin it.

What we saw on Sunday, with few exceptions, was that even under pressure their performances were equal to the best of the day. For example, Akshay on hole 6, Daniel on hole 12. Nonetheless, they never looked like they would return to the field. I could cite example after example, but instead, here is a video that shows what I am talking about.

https://youtube.com/watch?v=Y2Rn61qvEJQ&si=APsCHNBmx4sD_d8N

But it wasn’t just Bhatia and Berger putting up good scores. Young, Morikawa, Theegala, Henley, and many other Open Stance tour players were, once again, at the top of the leaderboard. Over and over, week after week, the best in the world set up open. Furthermore, you need to understand, it’s a conscious choice for these players – not accidental. What you are seeing is the changing of the ‘old guard’ narrative. Incidentally, my sense is that what we hear from the booth will change as the eventuality becomes reality.

The fact that I identified the value of our Open Stance set-up philosophy doesn’t mean using it is some kind of trademark infringement. I DIDN’T INVENT IT! However, using my knowledge is invaluable to 1) understand why it works for everyone and 2) in shortening the time you spend adapting to change. At any rate, having already changed the language of teaching over the past decade plus, I’ll be here to assist this transition, too… God willing. I’ve said it in so many ways and so many times it rings in my ears as pedantic. But, here it is again….

Open your stance. Change your game.

John Wright – Founder
The Open Stance Academy

It Is Not The Fade That Creates Control

The Open Stance, Shaping Your Shot, and Lower Scores