Rory McIlroy’s classy display of long-hitting, accuracy and short game wizardry showed why he deserved to be the champion at this year’s US Open.
This week I look at what he used so successfully to break all sorts of records on what was said to be one of the longest layouts in US Open history.
Titleist Driver
McIlroy’s fairway finder
Rory used a Titleist 910D2 8.5° driver with a Fujikura Rombax 7V05 shaft, which is apparently the same shaft that Charl Schwartzel used in his driver at the US Masters. The shaft is very rare and probably wouldn’t be easily found in SA. The low launching shaft has been a favourite of many tour professionals and works well with the high-launching 910D2 head.
Interestingly, Rory set his driver to the C2 setting, which is 0.75° upright with the loft also dropped by 0.75° promoting a low draw.
Titleist Fairway woods
McIlroy’s make-sure clubs
Rory used a Titleist 906F2 13.5° 3-wood and an 18° both with Fujikura ZCom Pro 95 shafts. He is one of the many who prefers a more traditional bag setup with no hybrids as he likes to work the ball where necessary. The flat soles on the fairway woods ensure a crisp strike off any surface making them easy to hit both off the tee and off the deck.
Titleist irons
Traditional blades throughout for young McIlroy
Growing up in Holywood, Northern Ireland, means that Rory played quite a bit of golf in the wind. Hence he uses Titleist 710MB Irons from 3 – 9-iron with Project X 6.5 shafts. These blade irons are designed to promote a lower ball flight with more workability, which is just what Rory is accustomed to. The Project X shafts are rifle shafts, which promote more feel throughout the length of the shaft especially mis-hits.
Titleist Vokey Design Wedges
Keeping it tight around the greens
Rory used Titleist Vokey Design wedges with lofts of 48°, 54° and 60° and is one of the few players who prefers a custom-designed PW to the one which comes in the set of irons. Again, the use of a 54° instead of a 52 and 56° shows that he prefers to work the ball with one wedge by opening and closing the face depending on the shot at hand.
Scotty Cameron Putter
Rory’s own prototype
One of the biggest perks of being a top professional is being able to have custom-made prototypes designed for you by the top brands. In this case, Rory putted with a Scotty Cameron Studio Select Newport GSS prototype putter, one that is not available in stores, and boy did it work for him. Nineteen birdies and an eagle on what is supposed to be one of the toughest tests in golf just shows how well he was putting.
Titleist Pro V1X
Another Major victory for the No 1 selling golf ball
McIlroy used the Titleist Pro V1X ball, which seems to be extremely popular among tour professionals and amateurs alike. Titleist has, in fact, been the No 1 ball used at the US Open since 1949 showing just how good its ball really is.
So now you know what it takes to be a Major winner and just how different Rory’s bag setup is to the Harrison Frazar’s, winner of last week’s Fedex St Jude Classic.
Find out more about Rory McIlroy’s first and hopefully not last Major victory by clicking here.
