Ochoa’s New Secret Weapon

Lorena Ochoa broke out a new putter over the weekend and promptly proceeded to crush the competition with it.

Ochoa’s new secret weapon is now out of the bag. It’s a PING Redwood Series ZB model putter, one of two new Redwood Series models that will be available to the public starting on April 1 for a street price of $250. As with other PING Redwood Series putters, the ZB model is precision-milled from 303 stainless steel.

At first glance from PutterZone.com’s vantage, the ZB looks quite stylish as well as ready for business.

The HSBC Women’s Champions Tournament in Singapore was Ochoa’s first tournament using the ZB putter. She racked up 23 birdies over four rounds. Her 20-under-par total was 11 shots better than the runner-up and marked her largest margin of victory in 18 career wins.

Apparently, the new ZB fits Ochoa like an old shoe.

PING founder Karsten Solheim was a giant in the world of putting whose original designs, such as the famed Anser putter, are still widely copied today. PING has been a major force in the world of putting ever since, even as the company grew and expanded its offerings to include a variety of golf clubs and merchandise over the past 40 years. The company is now led by Karsten Solheim’s son John.

PING is on a now fresh roll with its putter offerings. The new Karsten series putters ($89) offer remarkable value, while the Redwood Series, which was introduced last year as PING’s first entry into the high-end milled putter market, is making serious waves on tour, as evidenced by Ochoa’s latest triumph.