Rory McIlroy plans to move on from his Nike Golf driver and into a TaylorMade M2 driver starting at the WGC-HSBC Champions.
No Laying Up's Chris Solomon reported McIlroy would be making the switch at the China-based event, sharing a picture that appears to be McIlroy's launch monitor numbers with the same driver Brooks Koepka switched to in time for the Ryder Cup.
Rory is putting the Taylor Made M2 driver and fairway woods in the bag next week in China. Liftoff ? pic.twitter.com/B4yuDXEAs2
— No Laying Up (@NoLayingUp) October 22, 2016
The M2 driver is among a small subset of drivers on the market that can work in concert with the right shaft to deliver exceptionally low spin off the tee, in some rare cases getting the spin rate around 2000 rpms. That spin rate, in combination with his high swing speed, a positive angle of attack and an ideal launch angle in that 11-13 degree range can lead to astounding carry (330 yards will do) and, more importantly, equally eye-popping roll.
In other words, if you thought (as you should) that Rory McIlroy was long, he's about to get even longer.
Since Nike Golf announced in August that it would be phasing out its golf ball and golf club business, its staffers have been given the green light to find new equipment deals. While no announcement has been made of a McIlroy signing with TaylorMade, it could be a tip of his hand toward future equipment changes.