UPDATE

It's official -- Tiger Woods announced that he is switching to the Nike Method Milled 001 Putter because of greens conditions at St. Andrews for the British Open tournament. According to Nike Golf tour field manager Rick Nichols, the Nike Method putter for TW matches the specifications of his old Scotty Cameron putter, with identical lie angle, a single alignment dot on the head and a blacked-out PING grip. The only difference in specs is a 1° less loft of 2.5°. The Nike Method 001 Putter was designed with Tiger's input two years ago, and has been a backup putter if the Scotty Cameron got damaged or wasn't suitable for course conditions. Check out the links below to learn more about the Nike Method Putters and how it can change your game for the better!

ORIGINAL

Is Tiger Woods switching putters? Photos from the practice rounds for the British Open at St. Andrews show Tiger Woods and his caddy Steve Williams putting with the Nike Method Milled 001 Classic Blade Putter. The putter is new for 2010, although rumors have Tiger Woods using a prototype for some practice rounds last year. The possible switch to Nike putters would be a major change from the currently listed putter by Scotty Cameron. What will Tiger Woods decide to use and wear for the British Open ? Could the Method Putter fix Tiger's putting woes? Keep reading to find out -- pictures included!

Nike Method Milled 001 Classic Blade Putter

The putter Tiger Woods is practicing with features cutting-edge technology and complements the other clubs by Nike. Nike R&D created the revolutionary putter with the help of Tiger Woods, much like the new clubs introduced over the last couple years. When asked about how he felt Tiger Woods said, "I went back to my fundamentals with my putting and my stroke feels good." Perhaps the switch to Nike is just what the doctor ordered. Here are some of the putter's features:

• Polymetal Groove Technology: The softer polymer groove gives way to a milled steel secondary groove, starting the ball on a controlled forward roll at impact. Putters with milled steel faces, or polymer-only inserts require up to 30% of the total putting distance to begin a stable forward roll.
• Multi-Material Face: The flowed-through low-durometer polymer material dampens impact vibrations for soft touch, while the interspersed milled steel face maintains audible feedback for proper distance control.
• Heel-Toe Weighting: The ported Polymetal Groove Technology allows 30 grams of internal weight to be excavated from the face and body and relocated to the perimeter for higher MOI and added stability.
• Golf Pride Grip: Incorporating the well-known feel from Golf Pride, the new Method putter grip is a classic pistol design for optimal control, and Eaton's latest material for fantastic feel.

TW Branded Method Putter Spotted In Video

Below you see two images, one a photo from the British Open practice rounds showing the alleged Method Putter. The second is the frame from an R&D (Nike calls "The Oven") video showing the TW logo on a Method Putter. Are we in for a change, Tiger?