Justin Rose has been named the first PGA Tour player to partner with McLaren Golf as the luxury car brand’s global ambassador in the golf equipment sector.
Typically, professional golfers experiment with different clubs and brands, but Rose’s shift is surprising for a few reasons.
Currently ranked No. 5 in the Official World Golf Rankings (OWGR), Rose is still performing well in 2026, having won the Farmers Insurance Open in February and tying for third at the Masters earlier this month. That’s impressive, especially as he approaches his 46th birthday in July.
However, Rose recently participated in a special equipment game—and he didn’t perform well.
In 2019, he signed a multi-year deal with Japanese brand Honma. Although he achieved early success with their clubs, he moved away from Honma as 2020 progressed, leading to the brand completely disappearing from his bag.
Rose’s experience with Honma ultimately turned out poorly; while McLaren might have potential in the golf market, backing a brand that’s not yet proven raises some eyebrows.
Having earned over $77 million throughout his career, Rose will receive compensation from McLaren for using their gear and promoting their brand. But how much of a shift in equipment would be necessary mid-season, especially during a successful run? It’s hard to say. Still, the financial incentive and Rose’s contributions to McLaren Golf’s operations might heavily influence things.
“From the beginning, this was a passion project. I had the opportunity to be involved from the start, working with the team and testing the club,” Rose noted regarding his collaboration with McLaren. He seems genuinely enthusiastic about their involvement and the high standards they uphold.
Although Rose has relied on various types of equipment in 2026, he’ll be using the McLaren gear at this week’s Cadillac Championship, the PGA Tour’s prominent event at Trump Doral.
On paper, McLaren being a British brand aligns nicely with Rose’s background. Still, making a significant impact in the dense golf equipment market, where even giants like Nike have struggled, is no small feat.
