It’s an early start for the gear story of the year, but Rory McIlroy’s switch from his RORS PROTO blades to P7CB cavity-back irons could mean more for TaylorMade.
On this week’s episode of GOLF’s Fully Equipment, co-hosts Johnny Wunder and Jake Morrow discussed McIlroy’s move and what it could mean for the future of the brand’s iron line.
In case you haven’t heard, McIlroy made a months-long switch official when he played a 5-9 iron set TaylorMade P7CB irons last week in Dubai to open his season with a T3. The move started in Australia last month, where McIlroy deployed P7CB long irons before adding the rest of the set towards the weekend.
TaylorMade P7CB custom irons
BEST-IN-CLASS FEEL Using Tour feedback and modal analysis, we strategically designed the mass placement for best-in-class feel. Made using Compact Grain Forging and 2000 tons of pressure to deliver the purest possible feel from 1025 mild carbon steel. PRECISE CONTROL Precision milled face and grooves, combined with a constant center of gravity, the P•7CB is designed to deliver an optimal launch and spin combination for ultimate control and precision. CONSISTENCY Created to maximize accuracy and consistency. The P•7CB optimized the perimeter weighting and forged tungsten, designed to deliver a beautiful blend of stability and workability. COMPACT TOUR SHAPE Every aspect of this iron’s design was designed to meet the needs of demanding ballplayers. A compact blade length and thin topline provide a confident, clean look in the playing position, while the sole’s camber and progressive bounce profile ensure consistent ground interaction.
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“If there’s help to be had, I’ll definitely take it,” McIlroy said last Thursday after an opening-round 66 at the Dubai Invitational. “And even in Dubai late last year, I hit a couple of 5-irons that I hit a little bit wrong, and instead of it coming up maybe five or seven yards short, it came up more like 10 to 15 yards short.”
McIlroy’s set has a worn leading grind, similar to that of his P760 long irons, but Wunder said it needs more work.
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Jack Hirsch
“And they’re working on a set – a very Rory-specific cavity-back set,” he said. “I don’t know if it’s a prototype set or what, but they’re working on a set.
They’ve been doing it for a few months. It’s not done yet, but he wants to play this one to get used to the idea of playing cavity back irons.”
The P7CB irons came out in the summer of 2024, which means this summer would be two years after their release. Could they already be ready for renewal? And is the “Rory-specific” cavity back, what will replace it?
“My guess is this is probably the set they’re messing around with right now,” Wunder said of a possible P7CB replacement. “So I think it helps if you’re a TaylorMade or Callaway and you’re launching, you have plans to launch a new hollow back or a new tour iron. It behooves you to make your best player who would play that iron, and get them in the bag as early as possible. So if I were TaylorMade, I’d try to get those in the bag before the summer. everyone wants them.
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