Rory McIlroy premieres new set of clubs at the South Africa Open looking to avoid the disaster of his £155m switch to Nike four years ago
Northern Irish star missed the cut in Abu Dhabi just after signing a ten-year deal with Nike
RORY McILROY hopes history does not repeat itself when he premieres a new set of clubs today.
The Northern Irish star, 27, tees off in the South African Open with painful memories of his last ‘fresh start’.
He turned up in Abu Dhabi four years ago after signing a ten-year deal with Nike for more than £155million. But two rounds of 75 saw him miss the cut. McIlroy has been experimenting with his equipment since Nike’s withdrawal from the golf club market five months ago.
He is not short of big money offers but says finding the right equipment is the priority.
Today, the world No 2 will head out with Callaway woods and irons, a Scotty Cameron putter and Titleist wedges.
That is a big change from the set he used when he finished ninth at the DP World Tour Championship in Dubai two months ago. He said: “They are picked for this week, but that could change week to week.
“We will see how it goes. The person swinging the club is more important than the club itself. It’s nice to have a little look around.
“It’s given me freedom to try things, which I haven’t been able to do for the past few years.”
JIM FURYK was last night confirmed as the USA’s next Ryder Cup captain — with 2016 winner Davis Love his assistant.
Furyk, 46, said: “This is such a great honour that I’m completely overwhelmed.”