European Tour backs anchored putter ban

The European Tour has confirmed it will support a proposed ban on anchored putters from 2016, potentially putting it at odds with the PGA Tour in the US.

Both the PGA of America and the PGA Tour are against banning broomstick and belly putters, with several of the world's top golfers using the clubs.

European Tour boss George O'Grady said: "We understand the points put forward by the PGA Tour and the PGA of America and respect and sympathise with their views.

"The issue's received far greater focus in the US, maybe because of the number of their golfers using the method."

A number of players have come out against the proposed ban, which is being put forward by golf's governing bodies, the R&A and the USGA.

Keegan Bradley and Webb Simpson, who have both won major tournaments with anchored putters, are both opposed to the move.

But the planned ban has a lot of support from other players at the top of the game, including world number one Rory McIlroy and 14-time major champion Tiger Woods.

"We swing all 13 other clubs. I think the putter should be the same," Woods has said.

PGA Tour commissioner Tim Finchem explained last month that there is an "absence of data to conclude there is a competitive advantage to be gained by using anchoring".

He added: "Given the amount of time that anchoring has been in the game, there was no overriding reason to go down that road."

But he was quick to play down any suggestions that the divergence in opinions would lead to a split.

"We're in favour of the current rule-making system," he added, saying that he hoped the planned rule change would simply be dropped.

The proposed ban would affect players at all levels of the game, from professionals like Ernie Els and Adam Scott (pictured) to club golfers.

A statement from the R&A concedes that the matter has "proved particularly sensitive" in the US, while the proposed rule change has been welcomed elsewhere.

Mr O'Grady said the reason for this could be down to the number of American players using the anchored method and the overall set-up of golf courses across the pond.

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