Equipment
McIlroy, Koepka spotted testing Scotty Cameron putters at The Barclays
After Nike announced that it’s getting out of the golf equipment space and sticking with shoes and apparel, the natural question on the minds of GolfWRXers was “What equipment will the golfers under contract with Nike play going forward?”
Nike athletes such as world-ranked No. 5 golfer Rory McIlroy and Brooks Koepka (No. 18) were at the forefront of that speculation. While we still don’t have concrete answers, we did spot both McIlroy and Koepka testing putters from Scotty Cameron at The Barclays.
McIlroy, who was most recently bagging a Nike Method Origin B2-01 prototype, was seen testing multiple Cameron putters including a mallet-style putter (pictured above). See more photos and join the conversation here.
Koepka, on the other hand, was spotted testing a familiar Scotty Cameron Tour Only Newport 2 putter he has gamed in the past. Click to see more photos of Koepka’s Cameron.
As always, we will update you with more information as it becomes available.
- LIKE156
- LEGIT17
- WOW7
- LOL7
- IDHT2
- FLOP0
- OB1
- SHANK20
Equipment
A shocking Backstryke putter appearance + 7 interesting gear photos from the Zurich Classic
Welcome to New Orleans, where TPC Louisiana plays host to the 2024 Zurich Classic. In between breakfast beignets and nightly Creole feasts, PGA Tour players are also competing in the unique two-man format at the Zurich this week.
Although the vibes in Nawlins are a bit lighter-fare than the recent back-to-back competitions the Masters and the RBC Heritage signature event), the gear news was no less serious this week.
We spotted some recent changes from Rory McIlroy, a very rare Odyssey Backstryke putter, dove into the bag of legendary New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees, and spotted Patrick Cantlay continuing to test new equipment.
Get your beads out and crack your crawfish, because it’s time for an equipment rundown from The Big Easy (meaning New Orleans, of course, not Ernie Els).
See all of our photos from the Zurich Classic here
Rory’s on-and-off lob wedge
Since the end of 2023, Rory McIlroy has had an on-again, off-again relationship with a Titleist Vokey K-Grind lob wedge. In his last start, it was on, and the wedge is back in the bag again this week. We got a great look at the complicated grind that McIlroy uses.
View this post on Instagram
A full look into McIlroy’s bag above also shows that he switched out of the TaylorMade BRNR Mini Copper that he used at the RBC Heritage, and he’s back into the Qi10 core 3-wood. As we discussed last week, McIlroy will likely keep the BRNR around as a course-specific club, trading it in and out for the 3-wood.
See Rory McIlroy’s full 2024 WITB from the Zurich here
Turning Back the clock
Unless Tommy Gainey is in the field, it’s unlikely you’ll ever see Odyssey’s Backstryke technology make an appearance on the PGA Tour.
But then, when you least expect it, Russ Cochran shows up.
For more than a decade – since the 2013 Sony Open in Hawai’i – Cochran has been stuck on 599 PGA Tour starts. This week will be his 600th.
Cochran is in the field at the Zurich this week playing alongside Eric Cole, whose regular caddie is Reed Cochran, Russ’s son.
The Backstryke putter was first released back in 2010, and its unique design helps shift the axis point of the putter closer to the CG of the head. And, the putter is getting a nod this week at the Zurich Classic, thanks to Cochran’s 600th career PGA Tour start.
The putter is certainly awesome, but don’t forget to check out Cochran’s full WITB from this week.
Drew Brees with a Super Bowl winning Scotty Cameron putter
Drew Brees, a legendary retired quarterback for the hometown New Orleans Saints, made an appearance at the Zurich’s Wednesday Pro-Am, playing alongside Zach Johnson, Ryan Palmer, and current Saints QB Derek Carr.
Brees’ bag included a TaylorMade Stealth2 Plus driver, a BRNR Mini 13.5-degree, a Stealth 5-wood, a mixed set of P-790 and P-760 irons, Milled Grind Hi-Toe wedges, and a custom Scotty Cameron “New Orleans Saints” putter, which Scotty made for Brees following his Super Bowl MVP-winning performance in 2010.
View this post on Instagram
It should also be noted that Brees has his Venmo QR code as a bag tag.
If you’re gambling with Brees on the course, just know that not having cash won’t work as an excuse.
Brilliant.
See Drew Brees’ full WITB from the Zurich here
Stricker’s unrecognizable putter
Steve Stricker has made numerous upgrades to his bag recently, including a new TSR3 driver and T100 irons, but his longtime Odyssey White Hot No. 2 putter is still going strong. It’s the most recognizable unrecognizable putter ever.
Here’s a better look at Stricker’s flatstick, which he started using back in 2007.
View this post on Instagram
Patrick Cantlay has opened the equipment-switching floodgates
Over on the PGA Tour’s Equipment Report this week, we covered Cantlay’s recent switch into Ping Blueprint S irons, and a Titleist TSR2 driver.
Cantlay hadn’t switched irons for about seven years, so the iron switch he made at The 2024 Masters came as a shock to the norm. He simply isn’t one to change gear very often, so anytime Cantlay makes a switch, it’s news.
It seems the floodgates of equipment testing have opened up a bit for Cantlay, who was also spotted testing a custom Scotty Cameron blade putter on Tuesday this week. By Wednesday, Cantlay was back practicing with his familiar Scotty Cameron T5 Proto mallet, but it’s certainly something to keep an eye on going forward.
Daniel Berger’s custom Jailbird site lines
Berger, who’s currently using Odyssey’s Ai-One Mini Jailbird mallet putter, has a unique 3-dot, 2-line alignment on the crown of his navy-white-navy-white mallet putter. Looking down at the putter, it’s easy to see why this alignment system would help; it just seems impossible to set up to the ball off-center, or misaligned to the target.
Also, for anyone worried, you can rest easy. Yes, he’s still playing the 2013 TaylorMade TP MC irons, which we highlighted in our recent “Modern Classics: Old vs. New” video testing series.
FitzMagic teams back up
Brothers Matthew and Alex Fitzpatrick are teaming up once again at the Zurich this year, and Bettinardi Golf hooked them up with some festive “FitzMagic” headcovers to match this week.
See what else is in Alex Fitzpatrick’s WITB here
And, with that, we say goodbye to the Zurich Classic in New Orleans. Don’t forget to check out all of our photos from this week, including 30 unique photo galleries full of equipment photos.
We’ll see you next week in Texas for the 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson!
- LIKE8
- LEGIT0
- WOW0
- LOL0
- IDHT0
- FLOP0
- OB0
- SHANK0
Whats in the Bag
Alejandro Tosti WITB 2024 (April)
- Alejandro Tosti what’s in the bag accurate as of the Zurich Classic.
Driver: Srixon ZX5 Mk II LS (9.5 degrees @10.5)
Shaft: Project X HZRDUS T1100 75 6.5
3-wood: TaylorMade Qi10 Tour
Shaft: Project X HZRDUS Black 80 TX
Hybrid: TaylorMade Qi10 Tour Rescue (22 degrees)
Shaft: Project X HZRDUS Smoke Black RDX 6.5 100
Irons: Srixon ZX7 Mk II (4-PW)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold Mid Tour Issue X100
Wedges: Cleveland RTX6 ZipCore Tour Rack (50-10 MID, 54-10 MID, 58-10 MID, 60-06 LOW)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold Mid Tour Issue X100, S400
Putter: Scotty Cameron
Grips: Golf Pride MCC Plus4
Check out more in-hand photos of Alejandro Tosti’s WITB in the forums.
- LIKE2
- LEGIT0
- WOW0
- LOL0
- IDHT0
- FLOP0
- OB0
- SHANK0
Whats in the Bag
Drew Brees WITB 2024 (April)
View this post on Instagram
Driver: TaylorMade Stealth 2 Plus (10.5 degrees)
Mini driver: TaylorMade BRNR Mini Copper (13.5 degrees)
5-wood: TaylorMade Stealth Plus (19 degrees)
Irons: TaylorMade P790 (4-8, PW), TaylorMade P760 (9)
Wedges: TaylorMade MG Hi-Toe (52-09, 56-10, 60)
Putter: Scotty Cameron Select Newport 2 Prototype
Check out more in-hand photos of Drew Brees’ clubs here.
- LIKE1
- LEGIT0
- WOW0
- LOL0
- IDHT0
- FLOP0
- OB0
- SHANK0
-
19th Hole2 weeks ago
Dave Portnoy places monstrous outright bet for the 2024 Masters
-
19th Hole4 days ago
Justin Thomas on the equipment choice of Scottie Scheffler that he thinks is ‘weird’
-
19th Hole2 weeks ago
Tiger Woods arrives at 2024 Masters equipped with a putter that may surprise you
-
19th Hole4 days ago
‘Absolutely crazy’ – Major champ lays into Patrick Cantlay over his decision on final hole of RBC Heritage
-
19th Hole2 weeks ago
Two star names reportedly blanked Jon Rahm all week at the Masters
-
19th Hole1 week ago
Report: LIV Golf identifies latest star name they hope to sign to breakaway tour
-
19th Hole2 weeks ago
Neal Shipley presser ends in awkward fashion after reporter claims Tiger handed him note on 8th fairway
-
19th Hole1 week ago
Brandel Chamblee has ‘no doubt’ who started the McIlroy/LIV rumor and why
To old to matter
Aug 24, 2016 at 12:43 pm
Why are these guys playing knock off clubs. In this case a putter that was copied from the best putter ever made. Ping, if there is something wrong with the Ping Putter, I don’t know what it would be because Scotty Cameron is nothing but a copy, tell the original, the people that started all of it. The putter has nothing to do with the irons or woods they make. I play the irons but I play Taylor Made woods. But that putter, I bought it at the 68 PGA Championship, they were still brand new, I have had it in my bag since that day. By the way, Raymond Floyd was the winner that year. Play the real thing,, putter that is, PING.
David Labbe
Aug 25, 2016 at 10:26 am
Actually Scotty got his start from Tad Moore. Tad Moore and Maxfli where the first to introduce the milled putter back in the early 90’s.
SNBD
Aug 31, 2016 at 12:33 am
Another get off my lawn guy on here….even your handle (which has a typo in it) implies that you are old. We’ve all heard it before….everything was better back in my day. You can keep rolling the rock with your putter from ’68, why don’t you wash your clothes by hand, use a rotary telephone, and drive a car without power steering while you’re at it.
golfraven
Aug 24, 2016 at 4:50 am
Rory will pull out his old trusty GSS Scotty he was practicing with in his back garden. What you see on the range is just show for the media and showing some interest for his future sponsor to build some hype around their equipment.
Scott
Aug 23, 2016 at 9:26 pm
Rory was throwing his Nike clubs in the ponds way before Nike bailed. He couldn’t wait to get back to Titleist and start winning again.
lsf_21
Aug 24, 2016 at 10:03 pm
Other than the fact he won more majors with Nike than he did Titleist. But thats none of my business.
Jack
Aug 25, 2016 at 8:46 pm
Rory won 2 with Titleist and 2 with Nike.
Which 2 is more Isf?
Jwall34943
Aug 26, 2016 at 3:02 am
Your “fact” is incorrect. He won 2 majors with each company. Maybe you should start researching your “facts” before posting them here, because your ignorance becomes all of our business.
SB
Aug 23, 2016 at 3:52 pm
I predicted a shift back of both Rory and Koepka to Titleist and haters commented hardly… you re welcome.
Tom
Aug 24, 2016 at 11:34 am
Ya get a package of baby wipes with that prediction.
Buford T Justice
Aug 23, 2016 at 11:56 am
Which one of them is rockin’ the ‘British Knights’ stamped putter?
freowho
Aug 23, 2016 at 6:03 am
Rory would have been over the moon when NIKE said they wouldn’t produce clubs anymore. He’s been fighting a hook ever since he switched. Watch out Day, Dustin and Speith. Rory is back.
Realist
Aug 23, 2016 at 11:17 am
If you think this is because of equipment, you’re a hacker. These start tweaking their swing and then start falling apart. See Tiger. The equipment has nothing to do with it. He will lose money by Nike closing.
Jack Nash
Aug 23, 2016 at 11:28 am
$250 mill to the good though. In Rory’s case it’s more a switch to the Stocton method that’s caused him the most grief. As for his driving, a couple of weeks ago they said he was the most accurate long driver on Tour. Maybe he’ll smarten up and go back to Titleist.
Rob
Aug 24, 2016 at 4:47 am
He won all 4 of his majors with the “Stockton method”.
RedX
Aug 22, 2016 at 10:20 pm
Its a great game isn’t it. Rory would be tested and analysed within an inch of his life and have clear indicators as to which style of putter suited him best (ie mallet vs blade) but disregard that – “its always about the feel” trying different styles anyway in the search for a feeling. Arrow or Indian – whatever – would be nice if he found something …
Scott Francis
Aug 22, 2016 at 9:55 pm
Im sure with the Nike money he will get for clothes and shoes plus what he would make with an equipment co should be comparable. So my question is with TW, Rory and Koepka along with others do their existing contracts get re-negotiated? I asuume that big cash Tiggy and Rory were getting was for clothes and equipment.
Joseph
Aug 22, 2016 at 9:09 pm
Sure Titleist would love to have him back. He left because he idolized Tiger, wore NIKE as a 6 year old, they offered him a ton of money and he was involved with club design. His putting wasn’t fault of Nike it is between his ears. Question is why NIKE would want to pay him a bunch of money to wear nike hat, shirt and shoes if he is playing Titleist clubs and balls. Maybe I am not typical, but I care about what clubs and ball he plays, I don’t care about his shirt anymore than I care about Bubba’s shirt. Without the clubs and balls,not sure he sells more Nike soft goods.
Jackson Galaxy
Aug 23, 2016 at 11:29 am
Think Under Armour and Spieth. That’s what Nike wants to be with “the next Spieth”. Its the only thing people see when they watch golf on tv. You don’t really see the name on the clubs much.
Michal
Aug 23, 2016 at 9:17 pm
wow you are a moron, of course nike will sponsor him if he uses titleist clubs and ball you know why??? CASUE NIKE DOESNT MAKE BALLS OR CLUBS ANYMORE! thus evryone they sponsor willbe playing other non-nike clubs. You say you are not sure how he willhelp the nike clothing business, you may not have noticed but research the reports, Nike is #1 right now in golf apparel sales hence why they are not stopping that line of clothes and shoes, you moron.
Nike is smart and doesnt want to becomse adams, or clevelenad who should have bowed out years ago. all the current players will still have clothing contract till thier contract is up justnot clubs and balls. I can see rory going back to scotty and a prov1x. as far as driver and irons who knows.
Chris
Aug 26, 2016 at 1:35 pm
Hey bud maybe take a deep breath… Yikes
SNBD
Aug 31, 2016 at 12:42 am
I’ve never seen a comment so salty and calling a guy a moron that has more typos and terrible grammar than this one. You could get a redo and without getting help from someone, it probably won’t be that much better than the original.
Sam
Aug 22, 2016 at 5:51 pm
I wonder if Titleist would take him back after he left them the way he did.
William
Aug 22, 2016 at 7:12 pm
His Titliest contract was up when he left
Mike
Aug 22, 2016 at 8:17 pm
Probably won’t pay him Nike money but sure they would take him back
cgasucks
Aug 22, 2016 at 10:29 pm
Titleist will no doubt take him back…but will Rory be willing to take a pay cut to play their stuff???
Jam
Aug 23, 2016 at 3:35 pm
No one is going to pay him what Nike was, I bet he goes with Titleist because he’s familiar and it’s comfortable.
Mickyc
Aug 23, 2016 at 10:45 pm
If he goes back to Titleist, he might win enough money to make up the difference 😉
COGolfer
Aug 22, 2016 at 10:33 pm
This game is about money, not revenge.
Dj
Aug 22, 2016 at 5:34 pm
New putter for Rory certainly isn’t going to help his awful reads
Lee
Aug 24, 2016 at 4:11 am
Spot on DJ, Rory can’t read greens.