Staff WriterRory McIlroy what’s in the bag? If you’ve been watching his electrifying charge at the Players Championship, you’re probably eager to find out.
The World No. 2 started the final round four shots behind but quickly turned up the heat with an opening birdie and a crowd-pleasing eagle that set the tone for an unforgettable day at TPC Sawgrass.
By the time all was said and done, McIlroy had joined elite company:
- 8th player to win two or more Players Championships
- First European to achieve multiple Players Championship titles
- 22nd player in history to notch 28 career TOUR wins
- Holder of 15 PGA TOUR victories when trailing entering the final round (third most since 1995)
- Nine PGA TOUR seasons with multiple wins (most since 2012)
- Seventh TOUR event where he’s recorded multiple victories
Now, since this is a deep dive into Rory McIlroy WITB, I shine a spotlight on the gear that helped him reach these milestones.
The Switch to TP5
One of the most intriguing storylines is Rory’s decision to play the TP5 golf ball.
At the Players Championship, he finished fifth in Strokes Gained: Approach with TP5, and the tale behind this switch is just as compelling as his triumph on the course.
Prior to his win at Pebble Beach, Rory found himself at Michael Jordan’s course, The Grove, testing short-game shots.
He noticed a different feel and surprising control around the greens with TP5—so much so that he started experimenting with full iron shots, too.
The results spoke volumes: a slightly lower launch angle, maintained spin rates, and preserved driver ball speed.
He put TP5 into competition at Pebble Beach—and the rest, as they say, is history.
“I sort of stumbled upon (TP5). I just started to hit some chip shots with the TP5 instead of the TP5x and I really loved how it felt. I hadn’t really tested the 2024 TP5 and I loved how it was reacting around the green. Then I started hitting some 60, 70-yard shots with and it was coming off much lower launch but spinnier.”
– Rory McIlroy
Riding the Spider Tour X
We dubbed 2024 The Year of Spider, and so far in 2025, Rory is keeping that momentum alive.
After finishing seventh in Strokes Gained: Putting at Pebble Beach, he continued to roll it beautifully at TPC Sawgrass and ended up 10th in Strokes Gained: Putting. That marks two straight events finishing inside the Top 10 in this key stat.
Here’s a quick look at the specs for Rory’s Spider Tour X putter:
- Hosel: Short Slant
- Sight Line: Full Line
- Insert: Pure Roll
- Finish: Torched
- Shaft: Black Stepless, 34.5″ EOG
- Loft: 3°
- Lie: 69.5°
- Swing Weight: E0
- Grip: SuperStroke Pistol Tour, 1 wrap
MG4 61° LOB Wedge at TPC Sawgrass
Navigating Pete Dye’s tricky green complexes demands a short-game wizard, and McIlroy’s MG4 61° wedge earned its stripes all week.
Its low bounce prevents it from snagging in those tight, grainy lies around the greens. It also delivers ample spin, making those 40- to 70-yard shots more predictable.
“Rory wants to stick with one wedge, and this one by far is the most versatile.”
– Keith Sbarbaro, TaylorMade’s Vice President of Tour Operations
Full WITB Breakdown
Here’s the full rundown of how McIlroy filled up his winning arsenal:
- Qi10 9° driver (Ventus Black 6X)
- Qi10 15° 3-wood (Ventus Black 8X)
- P·760 4-iron (Project X 7.0)
- Rors Proto 5-9 (Project X 7.0)
- MG4 46° SB, 50° SB, 54° SB, 60° LB (Project X 6.5)
- Spider Tour X (SuperStroke Pistol Tour)
- TP5
In the end, Rory added another impressive chapter to his glowing résumé. He remains a formidable force whenever he tees it up, and his gear choices—from that switch to TP5 to the trusty Spider Tour X putter—are clearly doing him plenty of favours.
If there’s one thing we’ve learnt from this victory, it’s that small adjustments can lead to massive payoffs. Just ask Rory—he’s got the hardware to prove it.
