Rory McIlroy Puts Titleist Vokey Wedges In Play At Dubai Desert Classic
The World No.1 has two Titleist Vokey wedges in the bag in his first start of 2023


Rory McIlroy is making his first start of 2023 this week and the World No.1 surprisingly has a couple of Titleist Vokey wedges in the bag.
The four-time Major winner is a TaylorMade staff player and has been using a full bag of TaylorMade clubs including ball in recent times, but he has switched out his wedges for Titleist Vokeys.
A close up of his bag earlier in the week showed two Vokeys in his staff bag along with his usual TaylorMade Rors Proto irons.
The Northern Irishman was then seen still using a Vokey wedge during the Wednesday Pro-Am and went on to use them during the tournament - which has been forced to have a Monday finish due to the UAE rainfall.
Sports Marketing Surveys, @sms_on_tour, photographed his two wedges - showing a 54 degree SM9 bent to 55 degrees and a 58 degree Wedge Works prototype bent to 59 degrees. They also filmed a video of his current setup in Dubai:
A post shared by Sporting Insights (@sms_on_tour)
A photo posted by on
A post shared by Sporting Insights (@sms_on_tour)
A photo posted by on
McIlroy last had Titleist Vokey wedges in the bag in early 2017, when he was an equipment free agent following Nike's decision to stop making golf equipment.
He had a Callaway driver and irons in the bag for a short period, as well as Vokey wedges, before signing with TaylorMade in May ahead of the Players Championship. That deal was worth a reported $100m.
Get the Golf Monthly Newsletter
Subscribe to the Golf Monthly newsletter to stay up to date with all the latest tour news, equipment news, reviews, head-to-heads and buyer’s guides from our team of experienced experts.
The Northern Irishman started his professional career with Titleist, using the brand's club in his maiden Major triumph at the 2011 US Open as well as his debut PGA Championship victory in 2012. He went on to sign with Nike, to use the company's clubs and wear its apparel and shoes, in 2013.
He renewed his deal with TaylorMade last year in what was announced as a "multi-year equipment extension."
“Over the last several years I have had the chance to work with the best equipment company in golf," McIlroy said. "Today I am excited to announce TaylorMade clubs and ball will be staying in my bag for many years to come. A combination of the dedicated people and unmatched performance is what drove me to remain a part of Team TaylorMade."
McIlroy has some other new gear in the bag this week, with the TaylorMade Stealth 2 Plus fairway wood. He was also listed to have TaylorMade's brand new Stealth 2 Plus driver according to the TaylorMade website but he has kept the original Stealth in for now.
He is also using his usual TaylorMade Spider X Hydro Blast putter, the new Stealth 2 staff bag and a TaylorMade Tour Preferred glove in Dubai.

Elliott Heath is our News Editor and has been with Golf Monthly since early 2016 after graduating with a degree in Sports Journalism. He manages the Golf Monthly news team as well as our large Facebook, X and Instagram pages. He covered the 2022 and 2025 Masters from Augusta National and was there by the 18th green to watch Rory McIlroy complete the career grand slam. He has also covered five Open Championships on-site including the 150th at St Andrews. His first Open was in 2017 at Royal Birkdale, when he walked inside the ropes with Jordan Spieth during the Texan's memorable Claret Jug triumph. He has played 35 of our Top 100 golf courses, with his favourites being both Sunningdales, Woodhall Spa, Western Gailes, Old Head and Turnberry. He has been obsessed with the sport since the age of 8 and currently plays off of a six handicap. His golfing highlights are making albatross on the 9th hole on the Hotchkin Course at Woodhall Spa, shooting an under-par round, playing in the Aramco Team Series on the Ladies European Tour and making his one and only hole-in-one at the age of 15 - a long time ago now!
Elliott is currently playing:
Driver: Titleist TSR4
3 wood: Titleist TSi2
Hybrids: Titleist 816 H1
Irons: Mizuno MP5 5-PW
Wedges: Cleveland RTX ZipCore 50, 54, 58
Putter: Odyssey White Hot OG #5
-
Andrew Novak And Ben Griffin Seal Maiden PGA Tour Titles At Zurich Classic Of New Orleans
The duo held off the challenges of Rasmus and Nicolai Hojgaard and Frank Capan III and Jake Knapp to win the TPC Louisiana team tournament
By Mike Hall
-
Mao Saigo Claims Maiden Major Title At Chevron Championship Title After Thrilling Five-Way Sudden Death Playoff
The Japanese star made a birdie on the first extra hole at The Club at Carlton Wood as her four challengers faltered
By Mike Hall
-
Tiger Woods Heads 8 Golfers To Make All Time Rich List Of Top 50 Highest Paid Athletes
Tiger Woods is the second highest paid athlete of all time behind only Michael Jordan in a new top 50 rich list from Sportico
By Paul Higham
-
Rory McIlroy And Shane Lowry Explain Golf Ball Tactics For Zurich Classic Foursomes
Defending Zurich Classic of New Orleans champions Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry explained how they go about picking which golf ball to use in foursomes
By Paul Higham
-
'I’ve Never Seen Someone Hit A Driver That Good. He Played So Freaking Good. And You Almost Feel Like, How Do I Compete With That?' - Akshay Bhatia Wowed By McIlroy's Masters Display
Akshay Bhatia lavished praise on Rory McIlroy's game at the Masters after playing the opening two rounds alongside the eventual champion at Augusta
By Paul Higham
-
‘I Spoke To Two Presidents The Day After’ – Rory McIlroy Reflects On 'Absolutely Amazing' Reaction To Masters Win
The five-time Major winner revealed he had spoken to two presidents in the aftermath of completing the career Grand Slam at The Masters
By Mike Hall
-
Zurich Classic Of New Orleans Prize Money Payout 2025
Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry defend their title as players compete for a record purse in the unique team competition
By Mike Hall
-
Rory McIlroy Career Grand Slam Celebrated With Royal Mail Postmark
Rory McIlroy's Masters win, which made him the sixth player to complete the career Grand Slam, was celebrated with a special postmark by the Royal Mail
By Mike Hall
-
9 Things Rory McIlroy Still Has Left To Achieve In His Career
After becoming one of just six players ever to complete the career Grand Slam, what else could Rory McIlroy realistically achieve before retirement?
By Jonny Leighfield
-
Rory McIlroy Invited To Old Trafford By Manchester United Boss Ruben Amorim After Masters Victory
Following on from his Masters victory, McIlroy has received an invitation from Manchester United manager, Ruben Amorim, to show off his Green Jacket at Old Trafford
By Matt Cradock