The switch to the L.A.B. Golf VZN.1i Putter catapulted Austin Smotherman from obscurity directly into golf's elite: two consecutive PGA Tour victories, including the Butterfield Bermuda Championship, speak volumes. Suddenly, the zero-torque putter is the talk of the town, demonstrating that sometimes a single club update can turn an entire career around. Smotherman, 32 years young, has not only secured two titles but also a ticket to golf's biggest stages.
Double Trouble on the Green
What a Monday it was when Smotherman defeated Seamus Power on the third playoff hole at Port Royal Golf Course to clinch the Bermuda title. This came less than three weeks after his maiden victory at the Bank of Utah Championship – his first ever on the PGA Tour, and that too in his 100th start. Matt Fitzpatrick had already demonstrated it earlier in 2026, but Smotherman is now delivering the putter fairy tale of the year: he is the second player in 2026 to achieve two consecutive victories on Tour. For this, he earned 500 FedExCup points and a cool $1.08 million from the $6 million prize purse.
From zero to hero: Before October 2026 dawned, Smotherman stood without a PGA Tour title. Now he's smiling with two trophies, a secured Tour card through 2029, and a packed schedule for 2027. His new FedExCup position at 51st not only guarantees him starts at Signature Events in Pebble Beach and Riviera but also a spot in the 2027 U.S. Open at Pebble Beach. His career is suddenly on a strong upward trajectory!
The Magic of Zero Torque
At the heart of this phenomenal run is that very L.A.B. Golf VZN.1i Putter. This mallet design, thanks to zero-torque technology, promises a more stable clubface throughout the entire putting stroke – and the results prove it. Of course, there's more to Smotherman's success than just a putter; his equipment setup, featuring Titleist woods and irons, Vokey wedges, and a Pro V1x ball, shows that he relies on proven quality. But the fact that his elite performances began immediately after the switch is no coincidence. Especially in the Bermuda playoff, when he sealed the victory with a crucial par while Power faltered off the green, the coolness of this zero-torque was evident. A true game-changer.
