McIlroy swaps 5-wood for 2-iron at The Players
- By Jason Sobel
- May 8, 2012 12:33 PM ET

PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. – In an effort to find more fairways at this week’s Players Championship, Rory McIlroy has switched out his 5-wood for a club that he finds easier to control.
“I've actually put a 2‑iron in the bag this week, which I'll hit a lot off the tee just to try and keep it in play,” he said Tuesday. “I don't mind sacrificing distance as long as you're hitting from the fairways here.”
The idea is all part of a strategy on a TPC Sawgrass course where he’s missed the cut in both previous starts and didn’t play a year ago.
“Sacrificing some distance for me, it makes the targets a little bigger, and I don't mind going into a green with a 7‑iron instead of a 9‑iron,” he continued. “If you're hitting your second shots from the fairway here, it makes it a lot easier. That's hopefully one thing that's going to help me get myself around the golf course.”
McIlroy suggested this may not be the last time he employs the 2-iron, either, as it may find its way into the bag for the upcoming U.S. Open and Open Championship, as well.
“I've played Lytham a lot, and the 2‑iron will probably come in handy there,” he said. “I still haven't been to Olympic, but from what I hear, it could be a good club for that course, too.”
Related Articles
McIlroy out of the mix, but shows improvement
by Ryan Lavner | May 12, 2013 5:34 PM ETConsidering his previous track record here, Rory McIlroy’s 7-under 281 total at this year’s Players Championship represented marked improvement. Read More
Chips Ahoy
by Will Gray | May 9, 2013 7:01 PM ETTiger Woods was blemish-free until a mis-hit chip at the 18th resulted in bogey. Even still, his 67 has him in the mix at The Players. Read More
Player Friendly
by Rex Hoggard | May 9, 2013 3:43 PM ETTPC Sawgrass has never been kind to Rory McIlroy – until Thursday when the world No. 2 shot 66 to open The Players. Read More
Sobel has covered golf since 2004 and provides columns, blogs, chats for Golf Channel.
Latest News
- SCORING: McDowell, Jaidee in Match Play final
- Bradley leads by 1 | At a glance | Scores
- Venturi dies at 82 | Twitter reaction | Photos
- Arnie, Jack recall Venturi | Nelson connection
- Singh among Byron Nelson MDF casualties
- Chella Choi leads; Nordqvist fires 61 | Scores
- You Oughta Know: HP Byron Nelson Championship
- No. 1 Cal (11 wins) headlines 30-team NCAA field
- Colsaerts' drive results in bathroom drop | Video
- Only one Irish team to compete at World Cup
- Open qualifying: Men's local | Women's sectional
- Instruction: Don't let anxiety ruin your bunker play








