Rory McIlroy has made a swift gear change in his pursuit of his first PGA Tour victory of the 2024 season at this week's RBC Heritage at Harbour Town Golf Links. The change comes following a disappointing efficiency on the Masters.

The Northern Irish golfer had a difficult week on the Masters, along with his dream of securing a inexperienced jacket and finishing the Grand Slam as soon as once more unfulfilled. He is again in motion simply days after his Augusta National look, aiming for a right away comeback at Hilton Head.

In an effort to realize this, he has launched a brand new membership to his bag - TaylorMade's new BRNR Mini Driver Copper 13.5-degree, changing his Qi10 3-wood.

McIlroy initially began testing the mini driver on the Valero Texas Open earlier this month however selected to stay along with his 3-wood for Augusta. However, this time he has determined to make the swap, including the membership to his bag as he seeks his twenty fifth PGA Tour occasion win.

His membership change appeared to repay in Thursday's opening spherical, as McIlroy made a powerful begin to the week. The four-time main winner started his event with a four-under-par 68, getting off to a really perfect begin with a birdie-three on the first.

McIlroy demonstrated his class on the par-five fifth, chipping in from a bunker for an eagle that took him to three-under-par. Despite a hiccup with a bogey on the twelfth, he rallied to complete sturdy, notching birdies on the seventeenth and 18th to tie for tenth place, simply 4 photographs off the tempo set by J.T. Poston.

Reflecting on his efficiency, McIlroy expressed satisfaction, particularly along with his closing holes: "It was great to birdie those last two holes. I made two good swings at the last to put it in there close, and nice to finish with a 3."

He continued: "Yeah, started pretty good, then managed my game quite well during the middle when I didn't have it, and a nice way to finish. Feel like I've got a good chance now to get myself right in the tournament tomorrow morning. I could have definitely made a couple more bogeys around the turn there, and I didn't."

"Made some good up-and-downs. Yeah, pretty pleased with the day."

Regarding his mini-driver, McIlroy revealed restricted use because of the day's circumstances however anticipated extra alternatives to wield it: "I actually think I only hit it three times," he concluded.

"The way the wind was today out of the south means I didn't hit it -- some of the holes I hit it in practice, I was hitting 5-wood off the tee and then there was a couple of holes where I hit mini in the practice round, then hit driver because the wind was into. But it's a great club. It's versatile. I'm sure I'll use it quite a bit over these next few days."