Equipment
Rory McIlroy WITB 2017 (TaylorMade)
Equipment accurate as of The Players Championship (5/9/16).
Driver: TaylorMade 2017 M2 (8.5 degrees at 8.25 degrees)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Rayon Kuro Kage Silver 70 XTS
3 Wood: TaylorMade 2017 M2 Tour (13.5 degrees)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Rayon Tensei CK Pro White 80TX
5 Wood: TaylorMade 2017 M2 Tour (19 degrees)
Shaft: Fujikura Rombax P95X
Irons: TaylorMade P750 Tour Proto (3-4), TaylorMade “Rors Proto” (5-9)
Shafts: True Temper Project X 7.0
Wedges: TaylorMade Milled Grind (48-09 SB, 54-11 SB, 60-09 LB)
Shafts: Temper Project X 6.5
Putter: Odyssey Prototype with Microhinge Insert
Ball: TaylorMade TP5x (#22)
WITB Notes: McIlroy arrived at The Players with a TaylorMade M2 2017 (15 degrees) with a Mitsubishi Rayon Tensei CK Pro White 80TX shaft in his bag, as well as a TaylorMade Tour Preferred UDI (1 iron) with Project X HZRDUS Black 105X (6.5-Flex) shaft. He also brought extra wedges: TaylorMade’s Milled Grind 52-09 SB and 56-12 SB with True Temper Project X 6.5 shafts.
Discussion: See what GolfWRX members are saying about Rory’s TaylorMade equipment.
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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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- 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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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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Dave Portnoy places monstrous outright bet for the 2024 Masters
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Things got heated at the Houston Open between Tony Finau and Alejandro Tosti. Here’s why
Justin Thomas on the equipment choice of Scottie Scheffler that he thinks is ‘weird’
Tiger Woods arrives at 2024 Masters equipped with a putter that may surprise you
‘Absolutely crazy’ – Major champ lays into Patrick Cantlay over his decision on final hole of RBC Heritage
Report: Tiger Woods has ‘eliminated sex’ in preparation for the 2024 Masters
Two star names reportedly blanked Jon Rahm all week at the Masters
2-time major champ announces shock retirement from the sport at age of 33
Report: LIV Golf identifies latest star name they hope to sign to breakaway tour
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...
Drew Brees WITB 2024 (April)
View this post on Instagram A post shared by GolfWRX (@golfwrx) Driver: TaylorMade Stealth 2 Plus (10.5 degrees)...
Daniel Berger WITB 2024 (April)
Daniel Berger what’s in the bag accurate as of the Farmers Insurance Open. More photos from the event here. Driver:...
Rasmus Højgaard WITB 2024 (April)
Rasmus Højgaard what’s in the bag accurate as of the Zurich Classic. Driver: Callaway Ai Smoke Triple Diamond (10.5 degrees)...
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19th Hole2 weeks agoDave Portnoy places monstrous outright bet for the 2024 Masters
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19th Hole3 days agoJustin Thomas on the equipment choice of Scottie Scheffler that he thinks is ‘weird’
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19th Hole2 weeks agoTiger Woods arrives at 2024 Masters equipped with a putter that may surprise you
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19th Hole3 days ago‘Absolutely crazy’ – Major champ lays into Patrick Cantlay over his decision on final hole of RBC Heritage
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19th Hole2 weeks agoTwo star names reportedly blanked Jon Rahm all week at the Masters
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19th Hole1 week agoReport: LIV Golf identifies latest star name they hope to sign to breakaway tour
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19th Hole1 week agoNeal Shipley presser ends in awkward fashion after reporter claims Tiger handed him note on 8th fairway
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19th Hole1 week agoBrandel Chamblee has ‘no doubt’ who started the McIlroy/LIV rumor and why
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Kenn
May 13, 2017 at 12:08 am
Name names… or else you are what you accuse others of …..!
Tony Rich
May 12, 2017 at 3:28 am
“Geez, he’s been left of left all day”- Nick Faldo in Rory’s first round driving at The Players. Welcome to Taylor Made drivers Rors ????
Tony Rich
May 14, 2017 at 12:37 am
“I’ve never seen anyone that far right, he went in the lake two holes over.”- Johnny Miller after JB Holmes hit his drive 100 yards right on 14….welcome to the world of a Taylor Made driver. Rory just made a huge mistake.
DrRob1963
May 16, 2017 at 2:48 am
I don’t know about that – it was the player, not the tool at fault – Si Woo Kim seemed quite happy with his TMs – His M1 Driver was pretty good on Sunday. He could even hit a green via the palm tree on Saturday!
I game Callaway’s GBB – they go quite nicely! Maybe Rory should have stuck with his GBB Epic Sub-Zero.
JW
May 12, 2017 at 1:41 am
So can anyone confirm the 14 wrenches that were in play today at The Players?
Here is my guess for his bag:
M2 8.25- KK 70X
M2 15- CK Pro White 80TX
UDI 16- HZRDUS 105X
Rors Proto’s- PX 7.0
Milled Grind (48, 52, 56, 60)- PX 6.5
Not sue on putter these days!!!
I absolutely love his PROTO RORS musclebacks– they are SICK!! I also really like the finish on those wedges– which I think is tour only as well.
AWESOME SET!
JW
Bryan
May 11, 2017 at 4:05 pm
Well actually the club heads make a huge difference in the set up of the golf club. If a club head doesn’t look good to a tour player he won’t hit it… I don’t care what shaft is in the head.
Back when DL lll switched to Titelist the company spent upwards of $200k to get his club heads to look the way they needed to fit Davis’ eye. When Tiger woods switched from his Mizuno MP-29 back in the day to Titelist they had to manufacture iron heads to fit his eye. And those Titleist heads were almost a dead ringer to the MP-29 blades with titelist stamped on the back. Club heads are everything to a players eye and feel.
Kenn
May 13, 2017 at 12:15 am
Why are you peddling such falsity, fake news about Titleist spending $200k simply for cosmetic appearance to DLIII’s eye? As for Mizuno and TW, that’s just horsefeathers!
Your “eye” and “feel” comments are misleading if not outright false because those factors only impact on recreational hackers who only look at their clubs and only feel mis-hits.
You can’t speak on behalf of tour players and you are only making up fake stories.
Joey
May 11, 2017 at 1:31 pm
I want a set of those muscle back irons
stephenf
May 11, 2017 at 3:52 pm
Heard _that_.
Bwoody01
May 11, 2017 at 8:52 am
That putter shaft has a ding in it at the El Ho Sel – so does that make it illegal?
Jmizzle
May 10, 2017 at 11:43 pm
look at those cavity backs…play a real iron
Mr Poopoo
May 10, 2017 at 4:07 pm
Did Rors sign with TM? I though he was still an equipment free agent?
Tom1
May 11, 2017 at 8:57 pm
It’s beneficial to have support staff at tourney’s when your equipment needs adjusting.
Double Ace
May 10, 2017 at 2:44 pm
What difference does if make if TaylorMade release s 125 clubs, or if the club golfers want or need them. It isn’t a fluke that many tour pros are switching to TM clubs. You see the guys who are winning, Dustin Johnson, Sergio Garcia. You guys banging on TM sound like sour grapes. people will buy what they want, and they certainly aren’t up to taking advice from the internet tour!
The Dude
May 10, 2017 at 12:07 pm
Thank you Mr. Miura…….
Desmond
May 10, 2017 at 12:02 pm
Surprised he went with their wedges
westphi
May 10, 2017 at 11:31 am
Still the the ugliest irons on the market…
Joro
May 10, 2017 at 10:03 am
My son was on Tour for years on the Tour Van and TM has in the past made special clubs for players, like one of a kind that they usually mill out of a block of steel. I remember they made a one of set for Mike Weir that was actually 3 sets. I too am lefty and he had an extra set in the Van that disappeared one day, and no, not to me. Anyway it never make it to production as the Rory Irons probably won’t. It is getting ridiculous though what they will do. I think a one of set costs then about 30K to make.
Pingback: Rory McIlroy Picks TaylorMade; Company's Still For Sale | Dog Leg News
rebfan73
May 10, 2017 at 7:46 am
I would say sellout, but I’d take the money too…….
H
May 10, 2017 at 1:44 am
If them Protos don’t perform as designed, it’ll be sad. Lets see what kind of flight he gets out of these irons with the bored out mid section. I mean, what would that shaved out section do to the balance of the head?
Soggy golfer
May 9, 2017 at 10:28 pm
I feel like a 13.5 degree 3 wood is a wasted club for Rory. It would be pointless unless of the tee. Dig that UDI #1 though.
Sydney
May 9, 2017 at 4:06 pm
Irons look amazing. How long does it take to make them? Or does TM just place an order to a standard forging house in Japan that Rory was already familiar with?
Lee Shaw
May 10, 2017 at 9:32 am
Pretty much.
golfraven
May 9, 2017 at 3:33 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).
C
May 9, 2017 at 2:34 pm
I see Mizuno MP18 with a cylindrical bore instead of line. Same darned iron.
Justin
May 9, 2017 at 4:49 pm
Couldn’t agree more
Tom1
May 10, 2017 at 10:33 am
here we go again with the Mizuno knockoff accusations
Johnnylongballz
May 9, 2017 at 1:56 pm
Where is TM getting the money to pay all these guys?
Kenn
May 10, 2017 at 2:09 am
… mmmm… you… mehbe ….?
JR
May 10, 2017 at 10:25 am
Four sets of irons a season, half a dozen drivers and fairways and a complete range of new putters not to mention the annual ‘new improved’ ball launch. TM make good clubs but in terms of performance they’ve gone as far as they can – it’s all about aesthetics now and the gullibility of the club golfers who just have to have the latest of everything.
emb
May 9, 2017 at 1:12 pm
Looks like Tiger told him to come play his TM irons since he won’t be anytime soon
P
May 9, 2017 at 2:28 pm
HAHAHAHAHA I get it!!! Cause Tiger’s injured again and can’t play! HAHAHAHA