Scotty Cameron Tel3 - Real or Modified by Owner?

I came across this today and not sure if this is original or not. Pretty knowledgeable on Tel3's but this on has me stumped! Never heard or seen so I'm leaning to think this was not originally made this way. Any help out there? I know the shaft and grip are original but was the head modified by the individual or did Scotty actually make a few like this?

Whole head looks fishy. Neck engravings look off and it looks like the cup where the shaft sits is either really short and there’s a ferrule attached or it’s super long.

I found this post by Rand on TCC. Edited to remove some personal info. I hope he doesn’t mind.

“Ordinary yet Ultra Cool. This putter was made for former assistant professional at Augusta National. 

It is just an ordinary TEI3 except for the bomb on the heal and the stamp on the toe...I think he said it was one of two putters that were made with the official Augusta Logo on them from Scotty. 

The story goes that at one time Augusta National was considering selling Masters Scotty Cameron putters, and these were kind of samples. I think Augusta decided to opt for the cheaper versions that they sell and I can only imagine what they would sell for if Scotty was making putters for the Masters every year.”

This is the putter he was talking about, and the only one with the logo I can find in the registry. https://www.scottycameron.com/authentication/registry/Details.aspx?rn=A019986

Thanks. You think it's suspicious that this one is a NP2 and 98 model and doesn't have the Tour Dot? The one in the link is a NP 1999-2000 model.

I agree that the neck/hossel does look a little different but everything else to do with the head looks authentic and the same as others I own.

I can't find anything online similar to this. I still have no idea.

When did they stop using the Micro Step shaft band? It has the same shaft band as my 99 TeI3. Maybe this was made right when they were switching over, thus the two different models.

Good question.

I'm not aware of these putters ever being counterfeited. I don't think it was a thing back then. The shaft and grip all look legit to me.

I'm told by somebody that this was made specifically for the Augusta golf shop but have no proof or anything.