Tour News
It’s Official: Rory McIlroy is with TaylorMade
While Rory McIlroy didn’t specify exactly what he meant in his tweet at 11:02 a.m. Tuesday morning, “Final tweaks are made,” it was clear from the the presence of a custom TaylorMade Staff Bag in the photo that he had signed an endorsement contract with golf equipment manufacturer TaylorMade.
Minutes later, the official details from TaylorMade hit inboxes. Rory had signed a long-term contract with the company, and he would switch to a full bag of TaylorMade clubs, including a TaylorMade golf ball.
Time to show the world what you’re really made of.
Welcome to the family, Rory. #TeamTaylorMade pic.twitter.com/akofFlZI1X
— TaylorMade Golf (@TaylorMadeGolf) May 9, 2017
Earlier this year, it appeared that McIlroy was primed to signed an equipment contract with a different company. He was using Callaway’s new Epic metal woods and muscleback irons, as well as a custom Odyssey putter. There was also some Titleist equipment in his bag: the company’s new wedges and its Pro V1x golf ball. By Masters time, McIlroy had switched out his Callaway fairway woods for new TaylorMade models.
McIlroy’s equipment saga was the result of Nike’s decision to exit the golf equipment business in August, which left the four-time major champion an “equipment free agent.” He said he would take his time — maybe as much as a year — to find the absolutely best equipment for his game. Nine months later, the search has ended with TaylorMade.
“My future rests firmly in my hands,” McIlroy said. “That’s why I choose TaylorMade. I’ve been around the game long enough and have tested most clubs on the market, but I have never been as excited about equipment as I am right now.”
McIlroy’s TaylorMade Clubs
- 2017 M2 Driver (9.5 degrees)
- 2017 M2 Tour Fairway (13.5 degrees)
- 2017 M2 Tour Fairway (19 degrees)
- P750 Tour Proto Irons (3-4),- “Rors Proto” Irons (5-9)
- Milled Grind Wedges (48, 54, 60 degrees)
- TP5x Golf Ball / #22
Related: See all the TaylorMade clubs McIlroy is using this week at The Players
TaylorMade’s press release about the signing of McIlroy is filled with the typical hyperbole, and rightfully so for a company that currently has equipment deals with the top-3 ranked golfers in the world (Dustin Johnson, McIlroy and Jason Day), but there’s also some interesting tidbits.
For one, TaylorMade has designed a custom set of irons for McIroy called the “Rors Proto” that he will use as his 5-9 irons. And for those who think they can swing like McIlroy, TaylorMade passed along his launch monitor data with his new TaylorMade 2017 M2 driver.
- Ball Speed: 181 mph
- Launch Angle: 12.3 degrees
- Spin Rate: 2119 rpm
- Average Carry Distance: 315.8 yards
- Average Total Distance: 338.5 yards.
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GolfWRX checked out the action on the Korn Ferry Tour this week at the Nationwide Children’s Hospital Championship at The Ohio State University’s Scarlet Course in Upper Arlington, Ohio.
We have plenty of WITBs this week from the collegiate golf home of Jack Nicklaus, including looks at the gear of Camilo Villegas and Daniel Summerhays.
Check out links to all our photos below.
General Albums
WITB Albums
- Kevin Dougherty – WITB – 2023 Nationwide Children’s Championship
- Cody Blick – WITB – 2023 Nationwide Children’s Championship
- Wilson Furr – WITB – 2023 Nationwide Children’s Championship
- Brian Campbell – WITB – 2023 Nationwide Children’s Championship
- Cristobal del Solar – WITB – 2023 Nationwide Children’s Championship
- Chris Petefish – WITB – 2023 Nationwide Children’s Championship
- Camilo Villegas – WITB – 2023 Nationwide Children’s Championship
- Jared Wolfe – WITB – 2023 Nationwide Children’s Championship
- Trace Crowe – WITB – 2023 Nationwide Children’s Championship
- Nick Lindheim – WITB – 2023 Nationwide Children’s Championship
- Chandler Phillips – WITB – 2023 Nationwide Children’s Championship
- Daniel Summerhays – WITB – 2023 Nationwide Children’s Championship
- Kevin Velo – WITB – 2023 Nationwide Children’s Championship
- Bo Hoag – WITB – 2023 Nationwide Children’s Championship
- Sam Saunders – WITB – 2023 Nationwide Children’s Championship
See what GolfWRXers are saying and join the discussion in the forums.
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GolfWRX is live this week at the Fortinet Championship in Napa as the PGA Tour returns from a brief hiatus.
There are plenty of bottles in the cellar this week. We have assembled seven general galleries and 14 WITB looks, including a peek into Wesley Bryan’s bag, which features a surprising set of irons.
Also featured are new SuperStroke Ryder Cup grips and a look at Justin Thomas and Max Homa’s RC wedge stamping.
All of that and more in our photos from the Fortinet, below.
General Albums
- 2023 Fortinet Championship – Monday #1
- 2023 Fortinet Championship – Monday #2
- 2023 Fortinet Championship – Monday #3
- 2023 Fortinet Championship – Tuesday #1
- 2023 Fortinet Championship – Tuesday #2
- 2023 Fortinet Championship – Tuesday #3
- 2023 Fortinet Championship – Tuesday #4
WITB Albums
- Wesley Bryan – WITB – 2023 Fortinet Championship
- Davis Thompson – WITB – 2023 Fortinet Championship
- Will Gordon – WITB – 2023 Fortinet Championship
- Tano Goya – WITB – 2023 Fortinet Championship
- Satoshi Kodaira – WITB – 2023 Fortinet Championship
- Nick Hardy – WITB – 2023 Fortinet Championship
- Morgan Deneen – WITB – 2023 Fortinet Championship
- Russell Knox – WITB – 2023 Fortinet Championship
- Preston Summerhays – WITB – 2023 Fortinet Championship
- Kevin Chappell – WITB – 2023 Fortinet Championship
- Henry Chung – WITB – 2023 Fortinet Championship
- Tom Johnson – NorCal PGA Section Champ – WITB – 2023 Fortinet Championship
- Fred Biondi – WITB – 2023 Fortinet Championship
- Kevin Tway – WITB – 2023 Fortinet Championship
Pullout Albums
- UST Mamiya – LinQ M40X and The Attas V2 shafts – 2023 Fortinet Championship
- Odyssey/Toulon longneck Austin putters – 2023 Fortinet Championship
- Ryder Cup wedge stampings (Justin Thomas and Max Homa) – 2023 Fortinet Championship
- Justin Thomas spotted testing a new, longer driver shaft (and custom 4-iron) – 2023 Fortinet Championship
- SuperStroke Ryder Cup putter grips (Team USA & Team Europe) – 2023 Fortinet Championship
See what GolfWRXers are saying and join the discussion in the forums.
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Pop open a tin of the finest beluga, GolfWRXers… Really, it’s less jelly-like substance, more richness of intrigue than salt-cured roe at Wedge Stamping Caviar as we present to you some of the finest instances of hammer-and-stamp work on the PGA Tour spotted during the three events of this year’s FedEx Cup Playoffs.
We’re kicking off with the featured image of Xander Schauffele’s SM6 prototype, which looks a lot more like an SM5, with some pretty cool “Titleist” stamping.
Grab your mother-of-pearl spoon and dig in for the rest!
Jon Rahm’s 52-degree Jaws Raw bears his traditional “Rahmbo” stamping and an ode to his wife, Kelley. The red lips are a great touch. Chef’s kiss!
Jordan Spieth’s usual 60.5-degree proto T-grind offering here. We’re forever suckers for .5 degree indications.
No college football fan would have any doubt where Lee Hodges went to school.
Spotted at the BMW Championship, Chris Kirk’s wedge doesn’t appear to have any custom stamping, but a blue paintfill and slab o’ lead tape earn it a spot here.
“Toffee” Fleetwood
Maple leaf stamp makes sense for the man from Moose Jaw Adam, Saskatchewan. But Adam Hadwin also looks to have a nod to the country where he attended college and earns his keep with a red-white-and-blue paintfill.
Tom Kim is an emerging star on the PGA Tour for many reasons, his wedge stamping — copied from Justin Thomas — is just one of them. So much sauce here!
Since becoming a father, Max Homa’s wedges feature nods to his son, Cam, rather than his beloved Los Angeles. Whatever muse Vokey’s Aaron Dill is working with, Homa’s wedges are always among the most interesting on Tour.
Finally, how about a custom grind with a stamping indicating as much? Rory McIlroy was spotted with just that at the FedEx St. Jude.
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‘Ridiculous thing to say’ – Major champ left fuming with how publication described Lucas Glover
Why Viktor Hovland loves his Ping i210 irons (and other equipment morsels)
Adam Schenk WITB 2023 (August)
Korn Ferry Tour pro disqualified while warming up on the practice range
Report: Zach Johnson makes huge Justin Thomas decision as Ryder Cup wildcard picks revealed
Report: Tony Finau facing multiple lawsuits over claims he owes millions of dollars
‘I’ll tell you what’s a joke…’ – Lee Westwood ripped by fellow pro after latest LIV performance
Brandel Chamblee launches blistering attack on Phil Mickelson and Patrick Cantlay
Max Homa WITB 2023 (August)
Lee Hodges WITB 2023 (August)
2023 Ryder Cup WITBs: Team Europe
Let’s take a look at what the players on Luke Donald’s side are expected to put in play in Rome...
2023 Ryder Cup WITBs: Team USA
Let’s take a look at what the players on Zach Johnson’s side are expected to put in play in Rome...
Kevin Dougherty WITB 2023 (September)
Kevin Doughtery what’s in the bag accurate as of the Nationwide Children’s Hospital Championship. More photos from the event in...
Kevin Tway WITB 2023 (September)
Kevin Tway what’s in the bag accurate as of the Fortinet Championship. More photos from the event here. Driver: Titleist...
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The Real Swanson
May 10, 2017 at 4:26 pm
Tosser.
King of Carlsbad
May 10, 2017 at 11:40 am
Can Rory still collect when TM goes bankrupt?
Teddy
May 9, 2017 at 9:02 pm
I guess the Epic driver wasn’t so “Epic” for Rory…
H
May 9, 2017 at 7:52 pm
Let the TM dominance-Titleist take down finally come to its conclusion!
Wenz
May 9, 2017 at 7:36 pm
Fairly sure his driver is 8.5 stamped with the actual loft being 8.25 as written in sharpie.
Tony Rich
May 9, 2017 at 6:53 pm
Sellout……while he is chasing the money everywhere he goes…guys like Willett, Stenson and a guy named Walker are winning majors. He dominated tournaments with his Titleist sticks. He has become a question mark since joining Nike and now this. Stats said he hit 20% of his fairways last year using Taylor Made low CG driver, doubt he will improve on that.
Moses
May 9, 2017 at 5:36 pm
I didn’t know Rory was a “6 time” major champion.
Judge Smells
May 9, 2017 at 4:50 pm
I heard Wilson was in there right until they discussed the compensation involved
Greg V
May 9, 2017 at 4:13 pm
Looks like he’s opening his left hand at the top of the swing, in the picture. Could be trouble, although Bobby Jones got away with it.
AndyUK
May 9, 2017 at 4:12 pm
Watched the live interview with him earlier today where he stated he was excited to play the TP5 ball as it was much more suited to his game and windy conditions compared to the Pro V. Said he spend 10 days of intensive testing. Kick in the teeth to Titleist, which is no bad thing.
Lewi
May 9, 2017 at 3:44 pm
Looks to me, he has sold out to the highest bidder, used callaway through choice and the brand has boomed, Taylormade had no choice but to buy him to try and reverse the trend.
Rory said he was staying club free for at least a year, amazing how money talks and changes people’s minds. Money obviously means more to him than titles
golfraven
May 9, 2017 at 3:38 pm
You would think that Tiger and Rory now come as a pack of two. You cannot sign them up seperately. This is a big hit to Callaway and somehow the Epic line is loosing the charm since more and more players not hitting those drivers anymore. Wonder how much Tiger invested in TM and maybe Rory is joining to bail him out or both will take over TM. I guess Tiger will need to suck it up if Rory gets his signature clubs (irons and maybe wedges in the future).
Tourgrinder
May 9, 2017 at 2:25 pm
Can somebody with more TaylorMade insight than me please let me in on the secret as to why more pros seem to be gravitating toward the M2 rather than the M1. Even those with an M1 driver seem to choose M2 fairway models and hybrids. But…the M2 driver seems to be preference for pros such as DJ, Rahm, Rose, Tiger Woods, and now McIlroy, plus many, many others. I’ve probably overlooked a boatload of other pros using the M2 rather than the M1. I thought the M1 was the flagship model and the M2 was the game-improvement model, if you could call it that.
SH
May 9, 2017 at 2:40 pm
We all want to find fairways and the M2 is a tad more forgiving for most. Besides, with all the hot melting, it’s not like these heads don’t have weight near the front
Ibo
May 9, 2017 at 1:06 pm
I’d be excited too while pocketing $10M a year on top of $20M more from Nike.
Aaron
May 9, 2017 at 6:49 pm
This is technically inaccurate. Nike will supplement whatever Taylormade pays Rory to equal the amount they would have paid him (had he continued using their clubs). He’s technically making the same amount of money, just from two companies instead of one.
Earl
May 16, 2017 at 12:31 am
Well THAT is technically incorrect. For every amount above what Nike are paying RM, they will take “a percentage” out of his pay. So he is earning more.. just not the full 10 mil more.
King of Carlsbad
May 9, 2017 at 12:58 pm
Hard to understand how TM has the budget for these signings. They are losing close to 9 digits a year and can’t find a buyer. Odd…
Aaron
May 9, 2017 at 4:06 pm
my thoughts exactly……….
Chris
May 9, 2017 at 12:48 pm
Taylormade’s player staff bill must be huge now, Rory, DJ, Jason Day, Sergio, Justin Rose…….
Ibo
May 9, 2017 at 1:09 pm
Don’t forget Tiger… xD
chinchbugs
May 9, 2017 at 12:44 pm
Can Nike just buy TaylorMade already….
Philip
May 9, 2017 at 12:37 pm
Sure he is playing the best equipment for his game, and it has nothing to do with him selling himself to the highest bidder … there is always more swampland for sale :o)
Tom1
May 9, 2017 at 12:25 pm
exciting times……
Eric
May 9, 2017 at 12:18 pm
He is using TMAG Proto Blades (saw a pic on instagram). Who knows who made them. Probably Miura. Just kidding, I have no idea.
Soggy golfer
May 9, 2017 at 12:13 pm
I don’t see him playing TM irons maybe with the exception of the tour preferred blades. I feel like he has always played a firmer feeling iron and the TM P series is extremely soft. I know some really good players that tried them after a firmer feeling set (myself included) and it was counter productive.
ND Hickman
May 9, 2017 at 12:18 pm
According to the video on his Facebook page his whole bag is TM now.
The Real Swanson
May 9, 2017 at 12:35 pm
He’d love my cast Sam Snead blades and a pinnacle. You have no clue what his preference is, unless you have video evidence of him saying as much.
Mike
May 9, 2017 at 12:37 pm
RDRS Proto according to Rors homepage. There is also a photo of it.
Craig
May 9, 2017 at 4:05 pm
Isn’t it Rors proto??
The Real Swanson
May 10, 2017 at 3:52 pm
You need some glasses.
Ibo
May 9, 2017 at 1:08 pm
https://www.instagram.com/p/BT4KZzMDTK4/?taken-by=rorymcilroy