2020 Charles Schwab Challenge: Irons used by the 10 best ballstrikers in the field

Colonial Country Club, the site of this week’s Charles Schwab Challenge, historically has been known as a ballstrikers’ paradise. It has small greens and narrow fairways, and the Texas wind can push and shove a player’s shot offline.

Last season Kevin Na won after finishing first in the field in strokes gained approach the green with a four-day total of 8.3. Strokes gained approach the green measures how much of an advantage a golfer has over the field on shots hit from the fairway. Na’s total represents more than an eight-shot edge over the average player through 72 holes.

The 2018 winner at Colonial, Justin Rose, also finished first in strokes gained approach that year with a total of 10.2.

Get the point?

Below is a list of the 10 highest-ranked golfers in strokes gained approach the green (the numbers in parenthesis are the average per round) in this week’s field at the Charles Schwab Challenge, along with the irons they use. It will be the first chance they get to use their tools in competition since the PGA Tour was shut down after the opening round of the Players Championship in March.

Gary Woodland’s Wilson irons (David Dusek/Golfweek)

10. Gary Woodland (16th on PGA Tour), 0.72

IRONS: Wilson Staff Model Utility (4), Staff Model Blades (5-PW), with KBS Tour C-Taper X shafts

Russell Knox’s Srixon irons (David Dusek/Golfweek)

9. Russell Knox (15th on PGA Tour), 0.75

IRONS: Srixon Z 785 (5-9), with KBS Tour S-Taper shafts

Xander Schauffele’s Callaway equipment (David Dusek/Golfweek)

8. Xander Schauffele (14th on PGA Tour), 0.781

IRONS: Callaway Apex Pro 2019 (4-PW), with True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue X100 shafts

Jim Furyk’s Callaway irons (Steve Flynn-USA TODAY Sports)

7. Jim Furyk (12th on PGA Tour), 0.886

IRONS:  Callaway X Forged 2018 (4-PW), with KBS Tour shafts

Tony Finau’s Ping irons (David Dusek/Golfweek)

6. Tony Finau (10th on PGA Tour), 0.895

IRONS: Nike Vapor Fly Pro (3), with Graphite Design Tour AD DI 105 Hybrid shaft; Ping Blueprint (4-PW), with Nippon NS Pro Modus 3 Tour 120 shafts

Justin Thomas (Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports)

5. Justin Thomas (eighth on PGA Tour), 0.932

IRONS: Titleist T100 (4), 620 MB (5-9), with True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue X100 shafts

One of Webb Simpson’s Titleist irons (David Dusek/Golfweek)

4. Webb Simpson (seventh on PGA Tour), 0.968

IRONS: Titleist 620 MB (5-PW), with True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue X100 shafts

Marc Leishman’s Callaway gear (David Dusek/Golfweek)

3. Marc Leishman (fifth on PGA Tour), 1.099

IRONS: Callaway X-Forged UT (3), Apex Pro 19 (4-6), Apex MB (7-PW), with Nippon N.S. Pro Modus 3 shafts

Collin Morikawa (Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports)

2. Collin Morikawa (fourth on PGA Tour), 1.194

IRONS: TaylorMade P760 (4, 5), P730 (6-PW), with True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue X100 shafts

Rory McIlroy’s TaylorMade P750 irons (David Dusek/Golfweek)

1. Rory McIlroy (third on PGA Tour), 1.294

IRONS: TaylorMade P760 (3, 4), P730 (5-PW), with Project X 7.0 shafts