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.
With the PGA Tour across the border in Canada this week, GolfWRX Tour Photographer Greg Moore stayed stateside and headed to the OccuNet Classic presented by Amarillo National Bank in Amarillo, Texas.
It’s always interesting to see what the guys are playing on the KFT, and this week certainly hasn’t disappointed so far, with some incredible wedge stamping on display.
Check out links to all our albums below.
General Albums
WITB Albums
- Ryan Palmer – WITB – 2026 OccuNet Classic (KFT)
- Mahanth Chirravuri – WITB – 2026 OccuNet Classic (KFT)
- Josh Creel – WITB – 2026 OccuNet Classic (KFT)
- Phichaksn Maichon – WITB – 2026 OccuNet Classic (KFT)
- Brandon Berry – WITB – 2026 OccuNet Classic (KFT)
- Ryan Burnett – WITB – 2026 OccuNet Classic (KFT)
- James Song – WITB – 2026 OccuNet Classic (KFT)
- Andrew McLauchlan – WITB – 2026 OccuNet Classic (KFT)
- Ian Gilligan – WITB – 2026 OccuNet Classic (KFT)
- Alvaro Ortiz – WITB – 2026 OccuNet Classic (KFT)
- Russell Knox – WITB – 2026 OccuNet Classic (KFT)
- Ian Holt – WITB – 2026 OccuNet Classic (KFT)
- Mitchell Meissner – WITB – 2026 OccuNet Classic (KFT)
- Travis Trace – WITB – 2026 OccuNet Classic (KFT)
- Bryce Lewis – WITB – 2026 OccuNet Classic (KFT)
Pullout Albums
Luke Potter’s custom Cameron putter – 2026 OccuNet Classic (KFT)
GolfWRX Tour Photographer made the trip from the Memorial Tournament across the country to the U.S. Women’s Open at Riviera. Check out links to all the photos below!
General Albums
- 2026 US Women’s Open – Wednesday #1
- 2026 US Women’s Open – Wednesday #2
- 2026 US Women’s Open – Wednesday #3
- 2026 US Women’s Open – Wednesday #4
- 2026 US Women’s Open – Wednesday #5
WITB Albums
- Chloe Kovelesky – WITB – 2026 US Women’s Open
Asterisk Talley – WITB – 2026 US Women’s Open - Sarah Hammett – WITB – 2026 US Women’s Open
- Rio Takeda – WITB – 2026 US Women’s Open
- Hannah Green – WITB – 2026 US Women’s Open
- Amy Yang – WITB – 2026 US Women’s Open
- Auston Kim – WITB – 2026 US Women’s Open
- Paula Francisco – WITB – 2026 US Women’s Open
- Athena Singh – WITB – 2026 US Women’s Open
- Brianna Do – WITB – 2026 US Women’s Open
- Meja Ortengren – WITB – 2026 US Women’s Opens
- A Furue – WITB – 2026 US Women’s Open
- Katelyn Kong – WITB – 2026 US Women’s Open
- Natalia Guseva – WITB – 2026 US Women’s Open
- Cass Alexander – WITB – 2026 US Women’s Open
- Johanna Sjursen – WITB – 2026 US Women’s Open
Pullout Albums
- Scotty Cameron putter covers – 2026 US Women’s Open
- TaylorMade’s US Women’s Open staff bag & covers – 2026 US Women’s Open
GolfWRX is on site this week at the Memorial Tournament, with both Alistair Cameron and Tour Photographer Greg Moore on the ground in Dublin, Ohio, where a strong field is assembled to pay homage to the Golden Bear.
In addition to WITB galleries, we’ve already been treated to an in-hand look at Tommy Fleetwood’s new TaylorMade Spider putters.
Check out links to all our photos below.
General Albums
- 2026 The Memorial – Monday #1
- 2026 The Memorial – Tuesday #1
- 2026 The Memorial – Tuesday #2
- 2026 The Memorial – Tuesday #3
WITB Albums
- Jason Day – WITB – 2026 The Memorial
- Chris Gotterup – WITB – 2026 The Memorial
- SungJae Im – WITB – 2026 The Memorial
- Alex Noren – WITB – 2026 The Memorial
- Jacob Bridgeman – WITB – 2026 The Memorial
- Lucas Glover – WITB – 2026 The Memorial
- Bud Cauley – WITB – 2026 The Memorial
- Alex Smalley – WITB – 2026 The Memorial
Pullout Albums
- Jason Day’s 1off Payntr golf shoes – 2026 The Memorial
- JT Poston’s TaylorMade Spider – 2026 The Memorial
- Cameron putter – 2026 The Memorial
- Tommy Fleetwood’s TM Spider putters – 2026 The Memorial
- New Mitsubishi Chemical 1K Pro Orange shaft – 2026 The Memorial
- Bettinardi putter – 2026 The Memorial
- Min Woo Lee’s Callaway Apex 18* UT iron – 2026 The Memorial
- Wyndham Clark’s putter – 2026 The Memorial
- Lucas Glover putters – 2026 The Memorial
- Nicolai Hojgaard’s new Callaway 4 iron – 2026 The Memorial
- Adam Scott’s L.A.B. Golf putter – 2026 The Memorial
- Scotty Cameron Xperimental Prototype 11+ putter – 2026 The Memorial
- JJ Spaun’s updated/newest L.A.B. Golf putter – 2026 The Memorial
Justin Rose WITB 2026 (April): Full WITB breakdown with new McLaren irons
What’s the story behind Webb Simpson’s custom-stamped irons?
Memorial Tournament Tour Report: Rory McIlroy, Cameron Young switch up drivers, and more
Cadillac Championship Tour Report: Spieth’s sizable changes, McLaren Golf launches, and more
Russell Henley’s winning WITB: 2026 Charles Schwab Challenge
Kristoffer Reitan’s winning WITB: 2026 Truist Championship
Aaron Rai’s winning WITB: 2026 PGA Championship
Cameron Young’s winning WITB: 2026 Cadillac Championship
J.T. Poston’s winning WITB: 2026 Memorial Tournament
Best irons 2026: Best irons overall, most forgiving irons, and more
Bud Cauley WITB 2026 (June)
Bud Cauley had >14 clubs in his bag when photographed prior to the Memorial Tournament. Driver: Titleist GTS2 (8 degrees) Shaft: Fujikura...
Hannah Green WITB 2026 (June)
Driver: Titleist GTS3 (10 degrees, D4 SureFit setting) Shaft: Mitsubishi Chemical Diamana RB 53 S 3-wood: Titleist GT3 (15 degrees,...
Asterisk Talley WITB 2026 (June)
Driver: TaylorMade Qi4D (9 degrees) Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Blue 6 S 3-wood: TaylorMade Qi4D (16.5 degrees) Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Blue...
Brianna Do WITB 2026 (June)
Driver: Callaway Quantum Triple Diamond (9 degrees) Shaft: KBS PGW 3-wood: Callaway Elyte Titanium (15 degrees) Shaft: KBS PGW 5-wood:...
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Pingback: Rors Proto: TaylorMade releases Rory McIlroy’s Grand Slam-winning irons – GolfWRX
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