Two putters are better than one: Mickelson totes both at BMW

• By Jason Sobel
• Sep 14, 2011 3:34 PM ET

LEMONT, Ill. – Phil Mickelson is a classic tinkerer, having employed two drivers, no drivers and even five wedges in his bag during competitive rounds in the past.

On Wednesday, he was toying once again, carrying both a belly putter and a standard length putter for the BMW Championship pro-am. He used the latter at the beginning of the round for a few holes, then switched over to the former for the remainder of the day.

If his flip-flopping on the course leave many wondering which one he's leaning toward, his affectionate statements afterward seemingly removes all doubt.

“I used the long one all day. I love it,” Mickelson said. “I'm enjoying it. The more I've spent time with it, the more I'm enjoying it. I'm not giving shots away on short putts anymore. But again, I've only used it a couple weeks. It's not like I'm sold on it. But it's helped me not throw too many shots away around the greens. I feel like I'm putting short ones a lot better and starting to make some more mid-range.”

Mickelson’s putting guru, Dave Stockton, Sr., said on Tuesday that he believed his player would “finish the year” with the belly putter.

“It’s totally changing what he’s doing. His lines look much better to me. He’s simplified it,” Stockton explained. “He knows the ball is going to come off the same way every time, whether or not he’s practiced enough to get the feel is the only question.”