Lando Norris has described Justin Rose as an 'inspirational' figure after the 45-year-old golfer began using McLaren-designed golf clubs at the Cadillac Championship in Miami. The McLaren F1 driver, speaking ahead of the Miami Grand Prix, expressed his excitement about the collaboration between the motorsport team and the golfing world.
McLaren Golf Launches with Rose as Lead Player
McLaren Golf officially launched on Wednesday, with the aim of applying the company's motorsport engineering expertise to the design of high-tech golf clubs. World number five Justin Rose has been the leading player associated with the brand, having been involved throughout the development process. Rose used McLaren irons for the first time during the Cadillac Championship at Trump National Doral in Miami on Thursday.
Norris Praises Rose's Influence
Speaking at Hard Rock Stadium, just a short distance from the golf course, Norris stressed that he had no involvement in the design process but welcomed the partnership. 'I've not been involved. But it's very cool, I love my golf,' Norris said. 'It is just a cool situation that McLaren have got involved with. Justin is a good friend of mine.'
Norris highlighted Rose's achievements as an inspiration to both older and younger generations. 'Justin is one of the best in the world. For a guy at his age to be that number in the world is pretty inspirational actually for a lot of people of that age. And also for a lot of younger people who know they can fight to be one of the best in the world all the way up to your 50s,' he added.
Norris admitted he had no knowledge of golf club design but felt a connection through the McLaren brand. 'It's a cool thing that I can feel part of it because it's McLaren, but let me tell you I know nothing about designing a golf club. Justin has been the leader on that and it's been cool to see that come together over time and extend over time,' he said.
Rose's Recent Form and Confidence in New Clubs
Rose was leading the Masters midway through the final round last month before Rory McIlroy secured his second green jacket, a year after beating Rose in a play-off at Augusta. The 2013 US Open champion is among the best iron players on the PGA Tour, leading the way in greens in regulation this season.
Despite the upcoming US PGA Championship in Philadelphia on May 14, Rose insisted that switching irons was not a gamble. 'From my point of view, no, I'm actually looking at what can be better. I'm looking to mitigate risk,' said Rose, who opened the Cadillac Championship with a two-over-par 74. 'I've done this once before as well in 2019 obviously and I kind of learned a lot from that process. So I feel a bit better placed now to kind of go down this path. I think there's some best practices that we've sort of put into development really that I think are giving me what I feel are a fantastic set of golf clubs.'
