K.J. Choi's British Open Clubs

SOUTHPORT, ENGLAND — Taking advantage of less severe conditions, K.J. Choi has put himself atop the leaderboard after two rounds of play at Royal Birkdale.

Choi, whose best performance in a British Open is a tie for eighth in 2007 at Carnoustie, shot rounds of 72-67.

While Choi has a bag full of Nike clubs, his Odyssey putter has an interesting modification. It's hard not to notice that his putter grip, a SuperStroke, is gigantic. The concept behind the grip is that it locks the wrists and takes them out of the stroke, making players more consistent, especially under pressure. It's working well for him this week — he's averaging 28.5 putts per round.

Choi, one of the straightest drivers of the ball, is also splitting the fairways this week, hitting 20 of 28 in brutal conditions.

Continued good putting and solid driving could just the combination that Choi needs to win his first major.

Here is a complete list of the clubs in K.J. Choi's British Open bag:
Driver:                    Nike SQ Sumo 5000 (8.5°)
Fairway wood:       TaylorMade Burner TP (13°)
Hybrid:                   Nike T 100 (17°)
Irons:                       Nike CCi Forged (3-PW)
Wedges:                  Nike Pro Combo (54°) Nike SV (60°)
Putter:                    Odyssey White Hot #2
Ball:                        Nike ONE Platinum

(Photo by John Biever/SI)