Just before the playoffs, Rory McIlroy and Tommy Fleetwood were spotted in Abu Dhabi testing new TaylorMade Qi4D drivers.
As the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship kicks off the DP World Tour’s playoff series, two of its biggest stars, Rory McIlroy and Tommy Fleetwood, have drawn attention on the driving range. Both were seen testing unreleased TaylorMade drivers, recently added to the USGA’s conforming list, indicating their potential use in upcoming tournaments. McIlroy appeared to be using the standard Qi4D model, while Fleetwood was seen with the LS (Low Spin) version during practice rounds at Yas Links Golf Course.
Although TaylorMade has not officially launched the Qi4D line, the company confirmed to Golf Monthly that its athletes have shown strong interest in the new models. “Following ongoing testing, our athletes have expressed a strong desire to play these products. To enable their use in competition, we’ve added them to the USGA conforming list,” a TaylorMade spokesperson said. Whether McIlroy or Fleetwood will put the new drivers in play during the playoffs remains to be seen.
Three TaylorMade Qi4D Driver Models Revealed
The Qi4D lineup is expected to include three models, compared to five in the previous Qi35 series. The Qi4D Core is the standard version and reportedly features a four-weight system reminiscent of TaylorMade’s R7 era, offering more customization for ball flight optimization. This is the version McIlroy was seen using. Fleetwood, on the other hand, tested the Qi4D LS, designed to reduce spin and enhance swing speed with a simplified two-weight system. Rounding out the lineup is the Qi4D Max, which promises maximum forgiveness thanks to two adjustable sole weights.
McIlroy and Fleetwood’s Driver History
Currently, McIlroy uses the 2024 TaylorMade Qi10 driver, while Fleetwood plays the newer Qi35 Dot model. Although McIlroy has tested the Qi35 in the past, he has consistently returned to the Qi10. Fleetwood previously used the Qi35 LS before switching to the Dot version, which helped him secure his first PGA Tour win at the Tour Championship and a victory at the DP World India Championship.