Rory McIlroy and Tommy Fleetwood Spotted with New TaylorMade Drivers in Abu Dhabi
Rory McIlroy and Tommy Fleetwood, both TaylorMade staff players, were seen using new TaylorMade drivers while preparing for the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship. The drivers recently appeared on the USGA's conforming list, allowing them to be used in official tournaments.
Equipment Details
McIlroy was practicing with the standard version of the TaylorMade Qi4D driver, while Fleetwood opted for the LS version. The Qi4D series includes three head types: Standard, LS, and Max, similar to the current Qi35 range.
TaylorMade's Statement
"Following ongoing testing, our athletes have expressed a strong desire to play these products. In order for them to use these in tournament play, we have added them to the USGA conforming list."
Tournament Context
The Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship features a star-studded field with McIlroy and Fleetwood among the favorites. Since this tournament is the first event of the DP World Tour Play-Offs, it is still uncertain if these new drivers will become a permanent addition to players' bags.
Author's summary: Rory McIlroy and Tommy Fleetwood debuted new TaylorMade drivers recently approved for tournament play, signaling a potential equipment shift in the ongoing DP World Tour season.