Justin Rose will debut McLaren Golf clubs at the Cadillac Championship, giving the new brand instant PGA Tour credibility in Miami.
Justin Rose is bringing a little Formula 1 energy to the PGA Tour this week.
Rose, the world top-10 veteran and former U.S. Open champion, is set to put McLaren Golf equipment in play at the Cadillac Championship in Miami after joining the new company as its first global ambassador.
The move is one of the more surprising equipment stories of the season, especially with McLaren Golf still preparing for its official launch.
Rose had been playing as an equipment free agent, which gave him flexibility to test different clubs without being tied to a full-bag contract.
Now, he’s attaching his name to one of the most recognizable brands in motorsports as it attempts to break into golf equipment.
It’s still unclear exactly which McLaren clubs Rose will use at the Cadillac Championship or how many will make the bag. But the partnership is expected to go beyond clubs.
Rose has already shown off a custom McLaren Golf bag and is expected to wear the company’s logo on his apparel.
The connection makes sense. Rose has ties to McLaren leadership, including racing CEO Zak Brown, and reports indicate Rose has also invested in the golf business as part of the agreement.
That gives the partnership more weight than a typical endorsement deal.
McLaren announced earlier this year that it planned to enter golf, promising a performance-driven approach to club design and manufacturing. Landing Rose immediately gives the startup credibility.
He brings major championship pedigree, Ryder Cup experience and a reputation as one of the game’s more precise ball-strikers.
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The timing also works perfectly. McLaren Golf is scheduled to launch Wednesday, April 29, one day before the Cadillac Championship begins and during Formula 1’s Miami race week.
For Rose, it’s a bold swing. For McLaren Golf, it’s a headline-making first tee shot.
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