Getty
Jordan Spieth of the United States lines up a putt on the second green during the first round of THE PLAYERS Championship 2026 at THE PLAYERS Stadium course at TPC Sawgrass on March 12, 2026.
Following Akshay Bhatia’s win at the Arnold Palmer Invitational, golf fans across the internet began debating whether the 24-year-old may have been anchoring his putter, a move that violates the PGA Tour’s rules. The conversation quickly gained momentum online. Viewers began closely examining video clips of Bhatia’s putting and questioning whether his technique had crossed the line.
Ahead of the The Players Championship, Jordan Spieth offered his take on the controversy. He offered a measured response that reflected both his understanding of the rules and his respect for fellow players.
Back in January, it was announced that Spieth would be returning to the PGA Tour’s Player Advisory Council (PAC), adding another stint to his long involvement in the tour’s leadership structure. He previously served as PAC chairman in 2018 and later became a player director from 2019 through 2021.
Spieth also stepped into a leadership role when he replaced Rory McIlroy as a player director after McIlroy left the board in late 2023. He remained in that role until February 2025 and continues to be an influential voice among players on tour.
Spieth Weighs in on Anchoring Controversy
Speaking in an interview with Kay Adams on the sports talk show Up & Adams, Spieth addressed the anchoring debate directly and clarified how the rule is applied.
“In the rules, you can’t anchor,” Spieth said.
He explained that anchoring occurs when a player presses the end of the putter against a fixed point on the body, such as the sternum. “Anchoring is if that putter was touching his sternum, up top,” Spieth said. “Or, you can arm-bar now, but you can’t anchor it against your torso.”
Spieth also shared his personal preference for a more traditional putting setup. The three-time major champion prefers using a shorter putter, believing it demands greater touch and athleticism.
“I would like the putter to be the shortest club in your bag because it is the shortest club in my bag,” Spieth explained. “I do believe that it forces more skill. It uses your hands more, which makes you have to be more athletic.”
However, Spieth made it clear that he does not judge players who choose a different approach. If using a broomstick-style putter improved performance, he said everyone would be considering using one as well.
In a lighthearted moment, Spieth compared the ongoing debate to the controversial “Tush Push” used in the National Football League. Just as football fans debate that tactic, golf fans continue to discuss the boundaries of putting techniques.
Kay Adams gets Jordan Spieth to talk about the broomstick and anchoring.
He is cordial about it, but he also thinks the putter should be the shortest club in that bag and explains why.
It’s an easy fix and eliminates anchoring essentially.
Ultimately, Spieth emphasized that just because Bhatia’s approach might look easy doesn’t mean it is. Overall, the key issue is whether a player is following the rules. Different methods may look unusual, but they are acceptable if they comply with the regulations set by the PGA Tour.
Players Championship
Meanwhile, attention has shifted to the action at The Players Championship in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida. During Friday’s round, Spieth made a strong push up the leaderboard, carding seven birdies in an impressive second round performance.
The tournament will continue through Sunday, March 15, 2026, as many top golfers battle for one of the most prestigious titles on the PGA Tour. Fans can expect high-pressure moments and dramatic finishes as the competition unfolds over the weekend.
Sydney Jones Sydney Jones is a sports writer covering all things Golf, Mariners, and Seahawks for Heavy.com. She has experience covering the intersection of sports and human interest stories for multiple publications. Originally from Montana, she recently relocated to Seattle and is enjoying the new experience of being surrounding by live professional sports and rooting for a common team while writing about them. More about Sydney Jones
More Heavy on Golf
Loading more stories