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.”