Rory McIlroy had changed his driver ahead of the 2025 PGA Championship. The reports say he swapped his driver after it was found non-conforming by the USGA during testing. Rory wasn’t the only one whose driver was tested. The winner of the 107th PGA Championship, Scottie Scheffler, revealed that he was also tested, along with all the other golfers. As a result, he too had to make some changes.
Scottie revealed that he changed his driver after it was deemed non-conforming during testing. While the USGA or the PGA does not release the list of players who fail the test, Scheffler revealed during the post-round press conference that his driver had indeed failed. “My driver did fail me this week. We had a feeling that it was going to come because I’ve used that driver for over a year. I was kind of fortunate for it to last that long, I felt like,” the #1 stated.
The modus operandi behind the test, however, was not to the liking of Scheffler. He feels that testing just one section of the field puts the whole concept in a ridiculous position. “I would argue that if we’re going to test the drivers, we need to be even more robust in the way we test them. That was a conversation I had with one of the rules officials; if it’s something we’re going to take seriously, I feel like we’re almost going halfway with it right now. If we’re going to test only a third of the field. If we’re going to do it right, leave it up to us as players, like the rest of the rules in the game of golf are,” he further added.
Scheffler was not alone in feeling aggrieved at the way the testing was done. Despite his driver not being tested, Xander Schauffele also felt that there needs to be a more focused approach in testing rather than just doing it for the sake of it.
Schauffele joins Scheffler in advocating for more uniformity in testing
“I think they should test everyone’s driver. It’s not right to just test 50 guys. It just doesn’t make sense if you’re in it for the spirit (of the game). The whole point of it is to protect the integrity of the field. If you don’t test everyone across the board I don’t think you’re protecting the whole field.” The two-time Major winner stated.
While the World No.3’s driver was not tested at Quail Hollow, Schauffele did experience this at the 2019 British Open. His driver had failed the test and he had to expend a lot of time and effort in trying to secure a backup. “Do it to everybody, not just a third of the guys and if a player has a hot driver they’re still playing the tournament. Just my take.” Schauffele further added.
Initially, it was reported that Rory McIlroy’s driver was found to be non-conforming and that he had switched to a different driver. The Northern Irish golfer had a horrendous run on the first two days, barely making the cutline at 1 over par on Friday. Several people questioned the legitimacy of McIlroy’s victory in the wake of this report being published and his poor form after changing drivers.
However, later on it was revealed by Schauffele that even Scottie Scheffler’s driver had failed the test. “I think Scott is winning the tournament and I think he switched to his backup too,” Schauffele stated, putting all unnecessary rumours to rest. It is interesting to see what the same people who criticised McIlroy would say now that this news has come to light.
What do you think of Schauffele’s and Scheffler’s calls for more uniform testing instead of doing it randomly?
