Golf star Rory McIlroy observed employing fresh wedges as he prepares for the Irish Open competition.

Rory McIlroy, the four-time major champion, is set to participate in the Amgen Irish Open this week, and he's making some changes to his equipment. The Northern Irish golfer has been spotted using new TaylorMade MG5 wedges during practice rounds, marking a potential shift from his previous TaylorMade MG4s.

McIlroy's new MG5 wedges, which include a 60° wedge with a 61° RM stamping on the back, have been a talking point among golf enthusiasts. Interestingly, McIlroy also has another MG5 wedge with an RM stamping on the back, without a degree stamping, hinting at a possible customised setup.

The MG5 wedges feature Project X 6.5 shafts, the same as those spotted in the MG5s at the Amgen Irish Open. This consistency suggests that McIlroy is fully committed to these new wedges for the tournament.

McIlroy's decision to switch wedges comes after a solid performance at the Tour Championship, where he ranked 19th for Strokes Gained: Around the Green and 20th in Scrambling, making 12 up-and-downs from 19. However, his PGA Tour season concluded with a T12 finish at the BMW Championship and a T23 at the 30-man Tour Championship.

The 2016 Amgen Irish Open was a successful outing for McIlroy, as he secured victory at The K Club. This year, he is the tournament favourite, teeing it up alongside Thriston Lawrence and Kristoffer Reitan, starting at 8.00am local time on Thursday and 1.00pm on Friday.

With the Amgen Irish Open as a stepping stone, McIlroy has important upcoming events on his calendar. He is set to compete in the BMW PGA Championship and the Ryder Cup, where he will aim to continue his impressive form and challenge for more victories.

Golf star Rory McIlroy observed employing fresh wedges as he prepares for the Irish Open competition.