Daniel Berger switches to Ping, ditches 13-year-old irons and finishes runner-up in Phoenix
Daniel Berger’s last-minute equipment change to a Ping iron set paid dividends with a runners-up finish at the 2025 WM Phoenix Open.
The American has recently struggled with a back injury, missed the entire 2023 season, and struggled to find form in the last campaign having trusted his TaylorMade MC iron set for over a decade.
Before last week’s tournament at TPC Scottsdale, Berger had failed to make the cut in two of his last three events and felt a change of equipment was necessary so made the shift to Ping Blueprint S irons having been faithful to his previous set for so long.
It likely would have been a tough call to ditch the iron set that he’d trusted so faithfully, but the switch has reaped instant rewards as he was the pick of the bunch outside of the runaway winner, Thomas Detry, in Arizona.
His new Ping irons are made from forged carbon steel and feature technological advancements from his well-used previous set.
They offer a softer feel and feedback as well as a refined sole grind featuring a slightly wider sole than previous Blueprint models to allow for cleaner strikes of the golf ball, making them a popular set on the Tour.
With an extra decade of knowledge put into the production of his current set, Berger will benefit from greater shot-shaping capability and be able to push his game further as he pushes to rejoin the World’s top 25.
Berger finished seven strokes behind Detry who won his maiden PGA Tour title with 24-under.
The 31-year-old Berger made two eagles on the week and was joint eighth for birdies as his new iron set undoubtedly helped his long game.
He was in the top 20 of the field for strokes gained on approaches to the green and said later that just enjoying being out on tour is helping his golf.
“I’ve just got to stick to the process, enjoy it and have fun and it’s really nice to be back playing some good golf,” said Berger.
“I played really well, it was nice to get back in there and get those positive feelings, hit some good shots and when I needed to.”
With the PGA Tour returning to Torrey Pines this weekend, Berger will be hoping his decision will reap further positive rewards.
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