Just ahead of the playoffs, Rory McIlroy and Tommy Fleetwood were spotted in Abu Dhabi testing new TaylorMade Qi4D drivers.
The field at the first DP World Tour playoff event, the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship, is led by England’s Tommy Fleetwood and Northern Ireland’s Rory McIlroy. Both players were seen on the driving range at Yas Links Golf Club testing brand-new drivers from TaylorMade. These clubs were recently added to the USGA’s conforming list, allowing them to be used in official tournaments. McIlroy appeared to be using the standard version of the TaylorMade Qi4D, while Fleetwood was seen with the LS (Low Spin) version during practice sessions.
Details about the Qi4D drivers remain scarce, but TaylorMade confirmed to Golf Monthly that their athletes expressed a strong desire to use the clubs after extensive testing. To make them tournament-legal, the clubs were submitted to the USGA’s conforming list. It remains uncertain whether McIlroy or Fleetwood will put the new drivers in play during the upcoming playoff rounds in Abu Dhabi.
Three TaylorMade Qi4D Driver Models Revealed
The new Qi4D lineup reportedly includes three models, compared to five in the previous Qi35 series. The Qi4D Core is the main model, featuring a four-weight system reminiscent of the R7 era, offering greater shot-shaping potential with proper fitting. This is the version McIlroy was seen using. Fleetwood tested the Qi4D LS, designed to reduce spin with a simplified two-weight system, aimed at players with higher swing speeds. The third model, the Qi4D Max, includes two adjustable sole weights and is built for maximum forgiveness.
McIlroy and Fleetwood’s Current Driver Choices
Currently, McIlroy plays the 2024 TaylorMade Qi10, while Fleetwood uses the newer Qi35 Dot model. Although McIlroy has previously tested the Qi35, he has consistently returned to the Qi10. Fleetwood transitioned from the Qi35 LS to the Dot version, which he used to secure his first PGA Tour win at the Tour Championship and a victory at the DP World India Championship.