Rory McIlroy makes huge equipment switch ahead of RBC Canadian Open

Rory McIlroy has finally switched in to the new TaylorMade Qi35 Driver at this week's RBC Canadian Open, according to Skratch. 

McIlroy, 36, is making his first start on the PGA Tour since he slumped to a T47 three weeks ago at the PGA Championship. 

During that week, it came to light that McIlroy's 'gamer' TaylorMade Qi10 Driver was deemed 'non-conforming' by the USGA. 

McIlroy was therefore forced to use a replacement driver in the PGA Championship and it seemed to affect his performance.

The Northern Irishman ranked well down the list for strokes-gained off the tee, a statistic he would usually excel in. 

His driver was reportedly one of a number that failed the USGA's latest C.T. test on the eve of golf's second major of the season. 

Eventual PGA champion Scottie Scheffler later confirmed his own 'gamer' Qi10 Driver had also failed the test.

But it clearly didn't affect World No.1 Scheffler, who surged to a five-shot victory to see out a third career major title in Charlotte. 

McIlroy shunned the media for all four tournament days at the PGA Championship. 

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The World No.2 confirmed in his press conference today that he avoided all media requests that week because he was "p****d" that two members of the media had leaked news his Qi10 driver had failed a test. 

It has now been revealed by Skratch on the ground ahead of Thursday's first round at TPC Toronto that McIlroy is now using a new TaylorMade Qi35 Driver, a club that has taken honours in our latest Best Golf Drivers test. 

McIlroy has typically switched into TaylorMade's latest driver much sooner than half way through a PGA Tour season.

But it now looks like he feels ready enough to put full faith in the Qi35 with two more majors left this summer, a FedEx Cup finale in August and a Ryder Cup in September. 

McIlroy briefly used the Qi35 woods for 54 holes at the Arnold Palmer Invitational in March, but he ended up paying an Uber driver nearly $1,000 to get his Qi10 woods back in his bag ahead of the final round at Bay Hill. 

Whether the new Qi35 Driver remains in McIlroy's bag for the entirety of this week at the RBC Canadian Open and at next week's U.S. Open remains to be seen. 

It's also unknown at this stage whether McIlroy has switched into a full set of Qi35 woods, or whether it's just the driver at this stage. 

Skratch's gear editor Ryan Barath reveals more on McIlroy's Qi35 In the video below...

McIlroy is seeking a third Canadian Open title having won this event in 2019 and 2022, albeit on different courses to this week's venue at TPC Toronto North Course.

He is out with Ludvig Aberg and Luke Clanton for the first two rounds in Ontario.

Check out the RBC Canadian Open tee times. 

McIlroy also spoke glowingly about his recent switch from the TaylorMade TP5x to the TaylorMade TP5 golf ball during his latest press conference at the RBC Canadian Open. 

Scroll down for McIlroy's comments about switching from TP5x to TP5 golf ball... 

McIlroy credits a recent switch in dimples to helping him play a number of clutch shots en route to completing the career grand slam at The Masters in April. 

"I would say looking back on it I'm trying to think of some of the pivotal shots that I hit," said McIlroy, when asked to talk about how impressed he has been with the TP5 ball, especially at Augusta National. 

"Like maybe the two shots into 15 at the weekend, I don't think the TP5x spots on the green the way the TP5 did. Those two holes.

"The 8-iron on 17 on Sunday, I don't think a TP5x stops as quick as what the TP5 did there, and it also has enabled me to -- it's forced me almost to hit a lot more of these partial three-quarter shots because it does spin more, and even on firm greens like the greens got at Augusta on Sunday, with those three-quarter shots, I can still put enough spin on it to stop, where the TP5x you start to take speed off and the ball, for me anyway, it would start to knuckle a little bit and it would start to chase. Instead of the ball running out three or four yards, it would run out nine or 10 yards, so that makes a big difference.

"Yeah, certainly I think for the toughest tests, especially the major championships, Oakmont next week, for example, using a softer, spinnier golf ball, I think it's been a good find for me, and it's certainly helped this year."