After wild mix-up, pro uses competitor’s clubs at U.S. Women’s Open

ERIN, Wis. — Amari Avery is in contention at the U.S. Women’s Open — playing with another pro’s clubs.

After Round 1 at Erin Hills, Avery and her boyfriend, USC golfer Gavin Aurilia, were awoken in the middle of the night to someone trying to break into their rental house. After calling the police, Avery packed up her belongings, tossed them in her travel bag and relocated to a nearby hotel at approximately 4:30 a.m. The couple were safe, but the trouble was far from over. Avery had a 2:31 p.m tee time, and Aurilia was flying to Los Angeles in the morning.

Here’s where the confusion begins: Avery and Aurilia have identical travel bags, and when Aurilia left for the airport in the morning, he accidentally grabbed Avery’s bag — clubs, hats and all.

Luckily for Avery, fellow U.S. Women’s Open competitor and TaylorMade athlete Gabi Ruffels plays similar clubs to Avery. Ruffles teed off in the morning wave Friday, and after shooting a six-over 78 to miss the cut, she loaned her clubs (and hat) to Ruffels. If Avery was uncomfortable with her loaner bag, it didn’t show. When play was suspended Friday evening on account of darkness, Avery was at even par for the round through 16 holes and one under for the tournament, seven back of leader Mao Saigo.

TaylorMade Tour representative Andrew Morgan gold GOLF.com that Avery and Ruffels’ sets share much in common. Both players carry a 3-wood as well as 3- and 4-hybrids (this was a good break given many players use 5-, 7- or 9-woods). Avery and Ruffels’ also have similar wedge setups, play the same ball and, although they don’t have the same putter, Morgan said, it’s “close enough.”

Things got trickier with the irons. Avery’s irons are 15 to 20 grams heavier than the ones Ruffels’ gamers, while Ruffels’ clubs are a degree-and-a-half more upright than Avery’s. That Avery was able to hit such strong approach shots with Ruffels’ irons on Friday was wildly impressive. Morgan said this switch would be the equivalent of a weekend golfer playing in the U.S. Open with a rental set.

Their driver shafts are a similar weight and flex but the clubheads differ: Ruffels’ has 10.5 degrees of loft; Avery’s is 9.5 degrees.

As for their putters, Avery went from an L-neck to a low slant when she switched to Ruffels’ bag Friday.

That Avery played 16 holes at even par is a testament not only to her talent but also to her adaptability; few players would be able to adjust so quickly to a wholesale set change. The loaners won’t stay in her bag long, though. Avery’s boyfriend’s mother is planning to fly back to Wisconsin with Avery’s travel bag so that she can play with her own clubs in Rounds 3 and 4.

Here’s a closer look at Ruffels’ clubs:

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