Rory McIlroy Discusses Return to Blade Irons at Pebble Beach

Reflecting on Pebble Beach & Season Start

• 🚀 Winning at Pebble Beach last season provided a significant confidence boost, especially due to his ability to control ball flight in tough conditions.
• 🎯 The victory marked a perfect start to the 2025 season, setting a strong foundation for the rest of the year.
• ⛳️ Rory feels his game is in good shape after a strong finish last season and recent practice.

Equipment Decisions & Performance

• 🛠️ After experimenting with cavity back irons and a new ball in the off-season, Rory returned to his trusty blade irons.
• 💡 The decision was driven by a right bias observed with cavity backs and a preference for the familiar feel of blades, especially under pressure.
• ⚡️ The new TP5 golf ball consistently launches a degree lower, maintains similar spin, and provides slightly more speed with longer clubs.

Course Strategy & Major Status

• 🌊 Rory's favorite hole at Pebble Beach is the 10th, appreciating its challenge and scenic beauty.
• 🏌️‍♂️ He notes that playing Pebble Beach in February allows for an aggressive strategy, unlike a US Open setup in June which demands more conservative play due to thicker rough.
• 🏆 Rory believes The Players Championship is an amazing tournament but should not be considered a major, upholding the tradition of four major championships.

Reflections on Competitors & Marketing

• 📈 Rory highly praises Scottie Scheffler's relentless consistency, comparing it to Tiger Woods and acknowledging it as a benchmark for other players.
• 📊 He sees the NFL's marketing model as a genius example of a "scarcity model," effectively maintaining interest throughout the year despite a short season, offering lessons for golf.
• 💚 His first memory of Augusta National was being so in awe he was afraid to take a divot in 2009.

PGA Tour Landscape & Fan Conduct

• ⚖️ The return of Brooks Koepka and Patrick Reed from LIV Golf has "swung the pendulum" in favor of the PGA Tour, making it stronger.
• 🌱 This shift encourages the PGA Tour to rethink its schedule and develop signature events for the future.
• 👏 Rory hopes the Ryder Cup fan behavior he experienced was a one-off and emphasizes the importance of the home team setting a respectful tone for matches.