Equipment
Spotted: Mizuno MP-18 SC Irons
A little more than a month after Jhonnatan Vegas debuted Mizuno’s yet-to-be-announced MP-18 muscleback irons at the Masters, a cavity-back versions of the irons has appeared on the USGA’s Conforming Club List. The new irons, which are labeled MP-18 SC, are listed in both left- and right-handed versions.
It’s probably a safe bet that SC stands for “Split Cavity.” It’s also clear from the photo that the irons are constructed with Mizuno’s Grain Flow Forging Process and 1025E Carbon Steel.
A thanks to GolfWRX Member jrshelby for bringing the new listing to our attention through his forum post. Click through to see what GolfWRX Members are saying about the irons in our forums, where Outlier10 and others are already salivating over the idea of an MP-18 combo set (cavity back long irons, blade short irons).
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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!
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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.
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Whats in the Bag
Drew Brees WITB 2024 (April)
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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.
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TONEY P
Jul 24, 2017 at 11:54 am
Seen something similar years ago, but they probably feel better.
swingie
Jul 7, 2017 at 10:34 am
Cross between nike split cavities and ping EI1 in looks – gorgeous!
golfraven
May 13, 2017 at 2:46 pm
I am very confused with Mizuno’s mode numbering first of all and now the SC addition. What is it, a cavity-back, a specked down muscle-back or a freak of nature? Can someone tell me what the successor of the MP-25 will be called? Anyway, its time for new MPs so bring those on pronto.
Karl
May 10, 2017 at 10:17 am
Like all Mizuno irons I bet with the right shaft flex and the ability to hit the sweet spot they will play fantastic….I finely got old enough and slow enough had to give up and go back to Pings as the sweet spot kept being missed along with the green.
Tom Duckworth
May 8, 2017 at 10:47 pm
A little bit Ping iBlade looking. Not that it matters. I wonder if there is much tech under the hood.
If not I don’t see much to get a worked up about. A design that has been around for decades.
I’m sure they feel nice and play like a blade would and I do like to break out my old blades a play them from time to time but I just don’t see anything that says I must go out and try these.
Eric B
May 8, 2017 at 9:41 pm
You know when the JPX 900 tour looks better than the new MP… Someone done goofed. Also the MP-66 should’ve been the new MP in the US not this. If it ain’t broke don’t fix it
SH
May 8, 2017 at 12:12 pm
Whatever happened to the diamond shaped muscle areas.
Peter
May 8, 2017 at 11:07 am
They look like the Snake Eyes 600C irons.
cgasucks
May 8, 2017 at 11:47 am
+1
ooffa
May 8, 2017 at 10:37 am
They are nice but the don’t even come close to being as good as the PXG’s. I guess if you wanted a second tier club to the PXG’s you should buy the Mizuno.
Dj
May 8, 2017 at 12:07 pm
Lol
sumsum
May 8, 2017 at 1:25 pm
you may just be the coolest person I’ve ever seen comment on here. If not you must be the smartest, since you’ve never hit the new Mizuno irons, or seen them, or held them in your hand, yet you can already comment on their performance. This is me tipping my hat to your vast knowledge!…. and in case you can’t tell I’m being sarcastic.
ooffa
May 8, 2017 at 2:46 pm
dumdum, oops, sorry, sumsum. Ask DJ to explain the joke to you.
It’s super weird when you write a sarcastic comment but don’t recognize one yourself.
birdie
May 9, 2017 at 1:00 pm
lol excellent troll.