Lando Norris says it is “very cool” to see Justin Rose using McLaren golf clubs and believes the 45-year-old is an inspiration.
McLaren Golf launched on Wednesday with the aim of translating its motorsport engineering expertise into the design of high-tech golf clubs.
World number five Rose is the leading player jumping on board with the brand, having been a part of the process throughout, and used McLaren irons at the Cadillac Championship at Trump National Doral in Miami for the first time on Thursday.
A short hop away on the pitch at Hard Rock Stadium ahead of the Miami Grand Prix, Norris spoke about his excitement at the project as a keen golfer but stressed he had played no part in it.
“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.
“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. 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.
Start your engines! pic.twitter.com/ezhfSndcu9
— Justin ROSE (@JustinRose99) April 29, 2026
“Justin has been the leader on that and it’s been cool to see that come together over time and extend over time.”
Rose was leading the Masters midway through the final round last month before Rory McIlroy clinched 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.
The second major of the year, the US PGA Championship, begins in Philadelphia on May 14, but Rose insisted ahead of the Cadillac Championship that changing 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,” Rose, whose opening round was a two-over-par 74, said.
“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.”
