It's hard to keep anything a secret in today's world.
A prime example is Luke Donald testing out a new, blue prototype driver on the range at TPC Sawgrass earlier this week.
In the past it may have been hard to see if a player was using a new driver. However, with modern crown colours it is a little easier. Donald had a Mizuno JPX 850 prototype driver on the range at The Players and word is the club was drawing a lot of attention.
*Image via Getty Images
Below is a photo from the PGA Tour's Jonathan Wall showing the sole of the driver. It appears to have several weight options courtesy of a track of weights in the centre of the sole, presumably designed to move the centre of gravity forward and backward, as well as toe and heel weight slots for shot-shaping bias.
We contacted Mizuno to find out more about the new driver and here is what Dave Matthews, European Golf Marketing Manager, told us:
The Mizuno driver played by Luke Donald in the TPC is an early prototype - there is no launch imminent. Luke has been testing it at home for a couple of weeks and called to ask if he could bring it the TPC. It’s very early days and there’s still plenty of development and testing with other players to go – but it’s an exciting piece of kit.
Coming off a second-place finish at the RBC Heritage, Donald missed just four fairways Thursdays en route to an opening 73. He will be looking to continue his good run of form at TPC Sawgrass that has seen him finish in the top-20 of the last three Players Championships including two top-6 finishes.