As the 125th U.S. Open at Oakmont Country Club approaches, Rory McIlroy has made a key equipment change following recent struggles at the RBC Canadian Open. The four-time major champion has officially switched to a brand-new driver—a fifth driver change this year—after grappling with consistency off the tee .
Canadian Open Collapse Sparks Concern
McIlroy missed the cut in Canada after shooting a second-round 78, his second-worst score on the PGA Tour. He hit just 46.4% of fairways, losing 2.2 strokes off the tee—performance he attributed to experimenting with the new TaylorMade Qi35, after his previous driver was deemed non-conforming .
In his press conference, McIlroy expressed frustration at his performance: “I came here with a new driver thinking it would solve some problems off the tee, but it didn’t” .
Switching Back to a Proven Option
This week at Oakmont, McIlroy has reverted to his trusted TaylorMade Qi10—the same model he used in December and earlier in the year, including his career-defining win at The Masters—aiming to regain his earlier form .
He stressed that “every driver has its own character, and you’re trying to manage the misses,” acknowledging his renewed comfort after extensive driver testing .
Oakmont’s Challenge Demands Precision
Oakmont is infamous for its narrow fairways and brutal rough, making driving accuracy paramount. In a recent practice round, McIlroy shot an 81 as he grappled with pin placements and speed on the greens—but opted to birdie the last two holes, demonstrating resilience .
He has emphasized that hitting the fairway consistently is crucial at Oakmont, where stray tee shots can have severe consequences .
Seeking Reset and Rhythm
Following the emotional high of completing his career Grand Slam at the Masters, McIlroy has admitted his focus and motivation have fluctuated. The driver consistency issues have compounded this, making the equipment change not just a technical fix, but part of a wider reset heading into the season’s third major .
Now 36, McIlroy aims to strike a balance between professional goals and personal well-being, a strategy he believes will help him rediscover the drive that carried him through his stellar early season .
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Outlook
McIlroy’s decision to revert to the Qi10 demonstrates both pragmatism and confidence—choosing familiarity over experimentation as he prepares for one of golf’s sternest tests. With accuracy at a premium at Oakmont, this stabilizing move could be exactly what his U.S. Open campaign needs.
Watch for whether the returning teammate of early-season glory can translate this equipment reset into competitive momentum.