At the heart of it all? A winning strategy backed by the perfect set of clubs.
Rory McIlroy’s thrilling victory at the 2025 Players Championship on March 17th was a masterclass in skill, strategy, and precision engineering. Battling gusty winds, a stacked leaderboard, and a high-pressure Monday playoff against J.J. Spaun at TPC Sawgrass, Rory reminded the world why he’s among golf’s elite.
His second Players title—adding to his 2019 triumph—wasn’t just about talent. It was about smart decision-making, clutch execution, and a perfectly dialed-in bag that helped him outplay the field when it mattered most.
So, what can we learn from Rory’s approach? Let’s break down his victory and the standout gear behind it—all available to help you play smarter, swing with confidence, and take your game to the next level.
Rory's Road to Victory: A Recap
The 2025 Players Championship was a rollercoaster. Rory started the weekend just one shot off the lead, trailing J.J. Spaun after a wild, windy Saturday. Sunday brought more challenges—gusts up to 25 mph, a tight leaderboard, and a rain delay that pushed the finish to Monday.
Rory's Sunday 68 kept him in contention, and in the three-hole playoff (16-17-18), he outlasted Spaun with a birdie-par-bogey run, capitalising on Spaun's struggles at the treacherous 17th. It was vintage Rory: big drives, pinpoint irons, and clutch moments.
But what really stood out? The clubs in his TaylorMade bag that delivered under pressure.
The Winning Arsenal: Rory's TaylorMade Gear
Rory McIlroy’s 2025 Players Championship win wasn’t just about talent—it was about having the perfect tools for the job. His meticulously crafted TaylorMade setup, a brand he’s trusted since 2017, played a crucial role in navigating the windy, pressure-packed conditions of TPC Sawgrass.
From bombing drives past the competition to sticking clutch approach shots when it mattered most, Rory’s bag was built for dominance. And guess what? You can tap into that same winning formula.
Let’s break down the key clubs that powered Rory’s victory—
RORY MCILROY: WHAT'S IN THE BAG
9° loft with Fujikura Ventus Blue 6X shaft
The powerhouse behind Rory's 300-yard driving average at Sawgrass. TaylorMade's carbonwood technology helps deliver a low, penetrating ball flight that cuts through the wind—perfect for Florida's breezy conditions.
Key moment: Rory's crucial drive on the playoff hole at 16 gave him the perfect angle to attack the green in two.
15° 3-wood and 18° 5-wood with Mitsubishi Kai'li White 80TX shafts
Versatile weapons that Rory uses both off the tee and for long approach shots. The V Steel sole design improves turf interaction for clean strikes even from tight lies.
Key moment: His perfectly executed 3-wood approach on the playoff's par-5 16th set up the birdie that gave him the advantage.
4-9 irons with Project X 7.0 shafts
The perfect blend of workability and forgiveness for Rory's aggressive iron play. These compact player's distance irons feature SpeedFoam Air and a forged face for enhanced feel and distance control.
Key moment: His precision iron play led to 12 greens in regulation during the critical Sunday round.
46°, 52°, and 58° with Project X 6.5 shafts
Precision-milled wedges with raw face technology that provides exceptional spin and control. The raised micro-ribs between grooves enhance friction for better control on partial shots.
Key moment: His delicate wedge shot on the island green 17th during the playoff showed perfect distance control under pressure.
33" with a SuperStroke Pistol GT 1.0 grip
A high-MOI mallet putter providing exceptional stability on off-center strikes. The Pure Roll insert with a 45° groove pattern promotes better forward roll and distance control.
Key moment: Sank a crucial 13-footer on the 11th hole Sunday that gave him the outright lead for the first time.
5-layer construction, preferred by Rory for its speed and spin
A Tour-proven ball with a urethane cover for enhanced spin on approach shots and a Tri-Fast core for explosive distance off the tee, balancing control and length in windy conditions.
Key moment: Delivered pinpoint spin on the 17th in the playoff, landing softly for a safe par while Spaun found water, sealing Rory’s victory.
Golf Like Rory: Equipment Breakdown
TaylorMade Qi35 Driver (9°)
Rory averaged 305 yards off the tee, taming the wind with a low, piercing ball flight. The Qi35's carbonwood technology and adjustable loft gave him the perfect blend of distance and control, critical on tight Sawgrass fairways.
The Qi35 offers forgiveness and explosive distance, ideal for golfers looking to boost their driving game. Its sleek design and customisable settings let you dial in your launch, just like Rory.
TaylorMade Qi35 Fairway Woods
On the par-5 16th in the playoff, Rory's 3-wood set up a crucial birdie that gave him the edge. The Qi35 fairway woods delivered versatility—long off the tee and accurate from the deck—thanks to their V Steel sole and Twist Face technology.
These fairway woods are a game-changer for approach shots or long par-5s. Their forgiveness and high launch make them perfect for all skill levels, allowing you to attack par 5s with confidence.
TaylorMade P·770 Irons
Rory's iron play was surgical—hitting 12 of 14 greens in regulation on Sunday. His P·770 irons provided the perfect blend of workability and forgiveness, allowing him to attack pins even in challenging wind conditions.
The P·770 irons are engineered for precision with forgiveness, making them ideal for golfers looking to improve their approach game. Their compact shape appeals to better players while still offering game-improvement features.
TaylorMade Milled Grind 4 Wedges
Around the greens, Rory's MG4 wedges shone, especially at the tricky 17th in the playoff, where he safely landed a wedge for par. The MG4's raw face and laser-etched grooves gave him spin and control in the wind.
These wedges deliver bite and versatility—perfect for bunkers, chips, or windy days. Their precision milling and raised micro-ribs between the grooves generate exceptional spin, even from tough lies.
TaylorMade Spider Tour X Putter
Rory's putter sealed the deal—coming up clutch on critical putts throughout the tournament. The Spider Tour X's stability and soft feel made pressure putts look routine, even under playoff pressure on Monday morning.
This putter's alignment aids and forgiveness boost confidence on the greens. The Pure Roll insert promotes better forward roll for improved distance control, while the high MOI design minimises the effect of off-center strikes.
TaylorMade TP5 Golf Ball
Rory’s TP5 golf ball was a game-changer at Sawgrass, especially on the playoff’s 17th, where its spin helped him stick a soft landing for par while Spaun found water. The 5-layer design and urethane cover delivered explosive distance and control in 25 mph winds.
This Tour-proven ball offers unmatched speed off the tee and precision around the greens. Its Tri-Fast core boosts distance, while the soft cover adds spin—perfect for any green.
How Rory's Strategy Pairs with His Clubs
Rory McIlroy kicked off the 2025 season in style, clinching his second Players Championship in a nail-biting Monday playoff. But let’s be real—this wasn’t just about talent. It was about strategy, execution, and a bag full of TaylorMade weapons that helped him outsmart the course and outduel J.J. Spaun.
His Qi35 driver and fairway woods were the MVPs of his long game, averaging 300 yards off the tee and shaping shots through gusty 25 mph winds. On the par-5 16th in the playoff, Rory unleashed a bomb, setting up a clutch birdie while others struggled to keep it in play.
When it came to approach shots, his P·770 irons and MG4 wedges were dialed in. The result? 12 of 14 greens hit on Sunday, including a stone-cold approach at 17 in the playoff, where Spaun found water and Rory found safety.
And then there’s the Spider X Hydro Blast putter, the silent closer that got the job done. Rory didn’t lead in strokes gained putting, but when it mattered? That 13-footer on 11 and playoff nerves of steel sealed the deal.
Rory's Tournament By The Numbers
Tournament Stats
299.8
Driving Distance (YDS)
62.7%
Greens in Regulation
Rory's Scorecards
| HOLE |
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
6 |
7 |
8 |
9 |
OUT |
10 |
11 |
12 |
13 |
14 |
15 |
16 |
17 |
18 |
IN |
TOT |
| Round 4 |
|
68 |
| Par |
4 |
5 |
3 |
4 |
4 |
4 |
4 |
3 |
5 |
36 |
4 |
5 |
4 |
3 |
4 |
4 |
5 |
3 |
4 |
36 |
72 |
| Score |
3 |
3 |
3 |
4 |
4 |
4 |
5 |
2 |
5 |
33 |
4 |
4 |
3 |
3 |
5 |
4 |
5 |
3 |
4 |
35 |
68 |
| Round 3 |
|
73 |
| Par |
4 |
5 |
3 |
4 |
4 |
4 |
4 |
3 |
5 |
36 |
4 |
5 |
4 |
3 |
4 |
4 |
5 |
3 |
4 |
36 |
72 |
| Score |
4 |
4 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
3 |
4 |
3 |
5 |
35 |
4 |
5 |
5 |
4 |
4 |
4 |
5 |
4 |
3 |
38 |
73 |
| Round 2 |
|
68 |
| Par |
4 |
5 |
3 |
4 |
4 |
4 |
4 |
3 |
5 |
36 |
4 |
5 |
4 |
3 |
4 |
4 |
5 |
3 |
4 |
36 |
72 |
| Score |
4 |
4 |
3 |
4 |
4 |
5 |
4 |
3 |
6 |
37 |
3 |
5 |
3 |
3 |
3 |
4 |
4 |
3 |
3 |
31 |
68 |
| Round 1 |
|
67 |
| Par |
4 |
5 |
3 |
4 |
4 |
4 |
4 |
3 |
5 |
36 |
4 |
5 |
4 |
3 |
4 |
4 |
5 |
3 |
4 |
36 |
72 |
| Score |
3 |
4 |
4 |
4 |
4 |
4 |
5 |
3 |
4 |
35 |
3 |
4 |
3 |
3 |
4 |
4 |
5 |
3 |
3 |
32 |
67 |
