Rory McIlroy returns to action this week at the Players Championship with a ring on his finger and a brand new equipment sponsor. On Tuesday, the 28-year-old four-time major winner announced that he has officially signed a 10-year mega deal with TaylorMade worth $100 million, which includes all 14 clubs, ball, and staff bag.
The Guardian has the full report:
Confirmation of McIlroy’s new branding – he recently signed a 10-year extension to a Nike apparel agreement worth $200M alone – arrived at the Players Championship, which begins at Sawgrass on Thursday. The figures involved endorse the Northern Irishman’s status as one of the most marketable individuals in global sport with TaylorMade’s deal believed to be their biggest fiscal commitment to any golfer.
“I tested different combinations, a lot of different stuff, and I came to the conclusion that this was the best way forward for me to try and improve, try and win more, try to get back to World No.1, try to win more majors,” McIlroy said. “So I’m really excited about that.
Rory McIlroy signed $100m deal with TaylorMade to use their clubs, ball and golf bag for the next decade.On top of 200 million from Nike..
— Ron Mintz (@MintzGolf) May 9, 2017
“I tested quite a few balls and the one that I landed on was really it; the ball was what led me to this point because this is the best ball I’ve ever hit. Then it was just about trying to match everything up to that.”
McIlroy had spent the early part of 2017 alternating between TaylorMade and Callaway clubs. He also played with a Titleist ball, but that was never a long-term solution after the four-time major champion bemoaned its performance during the Masters in April. An all-in equipment deal was always likely but McIlroy had been adamant he would have to be fully comfortable with tools at his disposal before putting pen to paper. McIlroy will use TaylorMade M2 woods, prototype blade irons and the TP5x ball.
McIlroy joins high-profile golfers such as Dustin Johnson and Jason Day in using TaylorMade clubs. It may be that TaylorMade is more attractive as a business proposition with such marquee names on its roster, amid reports Adidas is looking to sell that wing of its operation.
Time to show the world what you’re really made of.
Welcome to the family, Rory. #TeamTaylorMade pic.twitter.com/akofFlZI1X
— TaylorMade Golf (@TaylorMadeGolf) May 9, 2017
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