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Justin Rose Defends Midseason Switch to McLaren Irons Ahead of PGA Championship

The move sets up a real-time test of player-led design against major-championship pressure.

Overview

  • Rose said before the PGA Championship that his two recent off weeks have nothing to do with the new irons and that he helped shape their design over 18 months.
  • He first played the McLaren set at Doral and then Quail Hollow, finishing T65 and T45, with strokes gained approach ranks of 65th and 45th in those starts.
  • Rose explained that a planned February rollout slipped because the clubs were not ready, leading to a late‑April launch timed with Miami Grand Prix week.
  • Commentators questioned the timing, with Brandel Chamblee calling it a major risk and raising a “stamp” theory, Johnson Wagner urging a return to old irons, and Rich Beem noting the heads look very similar to his prior set.
  • McLaren opened pre‑sale for its Series 1 and Series 3 irons at $375 per club, and wider acceptance now likely depends on how the clubs perform under tournament pressure.