Justin Rose remains convinced that swapping his equipment will not disrupt his performance as he gets ready to showcase his brand‑new McLaren Golf clubs at the Cadillac Championship in Miami later this week. The English star has entered into a partnership with the Formula 1 powerhouse, becoming the first touring professional to represent the automaker as it steps into the world of golf. The official launch of the McLaren clubs is slated for Wednesday, strategically timed to coincide with the buildup to the Miami Grand Prix scheduled for the following Sunday.
While some observers might view Rose’s decision to change clubs as a risky move—especially given his impressive recent form, which includes a third‑place finish at The Masters and a victory at the Farmers Insurance Open in January—the 45‑year‑old does not anticipate any negative impact on his game. He acknowledges that the new set has undergone extensive development, saying, "We’ve incorporated a number of best‑practice innovations into the design, and the result is a fantastic collection of clubs that feel right for me." Rose also noted that a refinement phase will continue after the launch, but he is confident that any adjustments will be minor and will not affect his play in the long run. "In the long term I don’t see any issue at all," he told reporters on Tuesday.
"It’s something I’ve been involved with from the very beginning, working closely with the engineering team and testing the first prototypes." He added that his involvement with the project stretches back over a year, giving him a deep familiarity with the equipment before its public debut. "It’s been exciting to finally bring it to market," Rose said. "The timing is perfect, with the Miami Grand Prix in town; there’s a great synergy between the two events. The clubs feel excellent, and I’m eager to see how they perform under tournament conditions." The Cadillac Championship also features another notable newcomer: Alex Fitzpatrick, who is making his first appearance as a full PGA Tour member after clinching a win at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans alongside his older brother Matt.
Fitzpatrick had to withdraw from the DP World Tour’s Turkish Airlines Open to seize the opportunity to debut on the PGA Tour. Speaking about his debut, Fitzpatrick described the experience as "pretty wild" and likened it to the first day of school.
He emphasized that his primary goal is to enjoy the moment and absorb as much as possible, rather than setting lofty expectations. "I have no clue what’s going to happen, and I’m not going to lie about that," he admitted. "Hopefully, I’ll stand on the first tee, hit the first fairway, and take it from there.
This week will be a whirlwind, and my mind will be everywhere, so I’m just trying to stay present and have fun." Fitzpatrick’s new exemption runs through the end of the 2028 season, granting him entry into next month’s PGA Championship as well as a host of other events. Both Rose and Fitzpatrick will be under the watchful eyes of fans and analysts as they navigate the early stages of their respective journeys—Rose with his cutting‑edge equipment and Fitzpatrick with his inaugural full‑tour schedule. The broader context of the weekend includes the return of Formula 1 to Miami from May 1‑3, marking the season’s second Sprint weekend. Sky Sports will broadcast the Grand Prix live, offering fans the chance to follow both the high‑speed racing action and the golf competition.
Viewers can stream the Cadillac Championship on Sky Sports Golf, beginning with the first round at 2 p.m. on Thursday, and also catch the Chevron Championship and other major tournaments through various streaming options that require no long‑term contracts.
For those interested in playing the sport themselves, Sky Sports provides a service to book tee times at over 1,700 courses across the United Kingdom and Ireland, allowing enthusiasts to experience the game on a wide range of venues. Overall, Rose’s confidence in his new McLaren clubs and Fitzpatrick’s enthusiasm for his PGA Tour debut set the stage for an exciting week of sport in Miami, where golf and motorsport intersect in a unique celebration of athletic excellence.