Justin Rose reveals McLaren Golf partnership targets F1 engineering edge in pursuit of second major

Major champion Justin Rose has detailed how Formula 1 engineering and an obsession with marginal gains are shaping his equipment choices, speaking at Wentworth during the BMW PGA Championship about his groundbreaking collaboration with McLaren Golf.

The 2013 US Open champion and Rio 2016 Olympic gold medallist was named inaugural global ambassador and investor when McLaren launched its golf venture ahead of the Miami Grand Prix. Located just 15 minutes away from the McLaren Technology Centre in Woking, Wentworth has served as a showcase for the partnership, with papaya team apparel increasingly visible across the fairways.

Bringing F1 Margins to the Fairway

Rose, 46, spent more than a year collaborating with McLaren’s engineering team to test and refine prototype irons before debuting them on tour. Following close finishes at several recent major championships, the Englishman hopes that the data-driven precision synonymous with Formula 1 will provide the edge required to secure another major title.

“The culture around F1 is all about scrapping for the finest of margins when every millisecond counts,” Rose explained. “Hopefully that’s a good ethos to bring into the golf world as well.”

Reflecting on his growing ties to motorsport, Rose added: “Living so close to Woking and the MTC, and being asked to be involved on the McLaren advisory board, has given me much greater appreciation of the sport. And it’s been nice getting to know Zak [Brown], Lando [Norris] and the boys. When you know people personally, you start to pay more attention.”

Aerodynamic Drivers and Wind Tunnel Innovation

While the initial rollout focused on metal-injection moulded irons, Rose emphasized that the most radical technological advancements will arrive with McLaren’s upcoming woods and drivers, where motorsport-grade aerodynamics and simulation come into play.

“The irons project, which is the first venture, is a little bit more straightforward, [but that’s] not to say that we’re not doing anything differently,” Rose said. “Once we get into the metal woods, the fairway woods, and the drivers, that’s when the wind tunnel, the algorithmic building, CADs and aerodynamic science will be very valuable to us.”

Respect for the Cockpit

Despite sharing technical ideas with McLaren, Rose made it clear he has no desire to trade places with McLaren drivers Lando Norris or Oscar Piastri on race day.

“It’s phenomenal what they do,” Rose admitted. “I think we all think we’re okay behind the wheel, but then you get an understanding of where your limits are in a car, and it’s not where their limits are. It’s scary, actually, to see what they can do in a machine like that. To see what those boys are capable of is quite frightening and awe-inspiring. But keep that on the track!”