Which Putter Will McIlroy Use This Week At The Tour Championship? He Doesn't Know Yet...

(Image credit: Getty Images)

published 22 August 2023

Rory McIlroy admits he is considering another change with his putter going into the most lucrative week of the PGA Tour season.

McIlroy will tee off in the penultimate group on Thursday in the Tour Championship at East Lake at seven-under by virtue of being third in the FedEx standings with leader Scottie Scheffler beginning at 10-under par at East Lake in Atlanta.

But McIlroy admitted he is still not happy with his putting after the final round of the BMW Championship, despite shooting 66 to end up fourth after using a Scotty Cameron Phantom X 5.5 for the second successive tournament having made a change at the FedEx St. Jude Championship in Memphis when he benched his TaylorMade Spider X.

Describing his change from the TaylorMade Spider to the Scotty Cameron Phantom X 5.5 last week, McIlroy said: "We have been on dates, we are still going OK."

But a permanent return to his ex could now be on the cards this week in Atlanta after the Northern Ireland pro amid to ongoing issues with the flat stick.

Reflecting on his last tournament, McIlroy said: "I played good tee to green. Missed a lot of chances. Sort of similar story to Memphis. I might dabble with the Spider again on Tuesday and Wednesday at the Tour Championship.

"I felt like I hit good putts. I holed some really good putts and I missed some short ones. I always felt like I was aiming too high and then I'd miss them low because I just couldn't commit to aiming it so far outside the hole."

Rory McIlroy uses his TaylorMade putter at The Open

But McIlroy insists he is more confident ahead of this week in Atlanta after winning the FedExCup three times previously at East Lake, including last year. He added: "Getting back on greens that I know pretty well and am pretty confident on, I'm looking forward to that."

McIlroy's putting has long been considered his Achilles heel as he ranks second on tour in Strokes Gained: Off the tee, third in Approach but 75th in Putting.

McIlroy got so desperate in Memphis earlier this month that his caddie Harry Diamond went to Edwin Watts Golf Shop to get the shafts altered on two putters as the golfer eschewed his TaylorMade Spider putter for a Scotty Cameron Phantom X 5.5 to “freshen it up.”

“It was zero testing process. It was go into the garage and see what I had and just pull a couple out and go have a few putts,” McIlroy admitted.

James Nursey is a freelance contributor to Golf Monthly after spending over 20 years as a sports reporter in newspapers. During a 17-year career with the Daily Mirror, he covered mainly football but reported from The Open annually and also covered a Ryder Cup and three US Opens. He counts a pre-tournament exclusive with Justin Rose at Merion in 2013 as one of his most memorable as the Englishman went on to win his first Major and later repeated much of the interview in his winner’s speech. Now, after choosing to leave full-time work in newspapers, James, who is a keen single-figure player, is writing about golf more. His favourite track is the Old Course after attending St Andrews University but has since played mainly at Edgbaston, where he is a long-time member. James’ golfing highlights include previously winning the club championship and scratch knock-out there. He is also an active member of the Association of Golf Writers and Press Golfing Society but his favourite round is playing the game with his young children. James is currently playing: Driver: Ping G400 3 wood: Ping i20 Hybrid: Ping i20 Irons: Ping i500 4-SW Wedges: Ping Glide forged 50, 56 Putter: TaylorMade Spider Tour Ball: Titleist ProVIx

Get the Golf Monthly Newsletter