Rory McIlroy in the Spotlight After Driver Found Non-Conforming Ahead of PGA Championship

Rory McIlroy has found himself utilising a backup driver during the PGA Championship after his main driver was found non-conforming upon his arrival at Quail Hollow.

Struggling off the tee, McIlroy only managed to hit 10 fairways in the opening two rounds. The reigning Masters champion made the cut by the skin of his teeth after a bogey on the final hole.

For the second consecutive day, McIlroy exited Quail Hollow without speaking to the media.

The USGA confirmed they conducted equipment tests at Quail Hollow at the request of the PGA of America, which is standard procedure before the first round of play.

McIlroy’s backup driver features identical specifications to the one that helped him secure a poignant victory at The Masters.

Drivers, in particular, can fall outside of conforming standards due to wear and tear. McIlroy is renowned as one of the game’s longest hitters, causing the face of his club to potentially become thinner over time.

The USGA affirmed that their testing protocols are consistent with those implemented at PGA Tour events, although the results remain confidential.

Veteran golf journalist Rex Hoggard pointed out that players and equipment manufacturers often navigate the fine line between legal and illegal, firmly refuting any claims that McIlroy was engaging in cheating.

“No professional wants a driver that is too safe; they are looking for one that pushes the limits, just within the legal bounds,” he explained on the Golf Channel.

“With the amount of force and speed used, it’s inevitable that they will eventually become non-conforming.”

Paul McGinley, McIlroy’s former Ryder Cup captain, expressed disappointment over the USGA’s decision not to publicly disclose their findings, contrasting it with how they handled Xander Schauffele’s driver incident prior to the 2019 British Open.

“If the USGA, as reported, has determined that the driver is illegal, they should release a statement for clarity, allowing us to all move past it,” he commented, suggesting that they have lost control of the narrative by failing to do so.

The PGA of America did not respond promptly to inquiries about the number of players who submitted drivers for testing, instead directing queries to the USGA statement.

At the 2019 Open at Royal Portrush, Schauffele was among 30 randomly selected players whose drivers were tested by the R&A, which governs golf outside the US and Mexico.

Schauffele indicated he was unaware his driver was non-conforming until he was informed, leading him to search for a replacement late into the week.

He expressed frustration with the R&A for not keeping the matter confidential.

“I’ve been labelled a cheater by my fellow competitors,” Schauffele stated.

“It’s all in jest, but when someone shouts ‘cheater’ in front of a large crowd, it doesn’t sit well with me.”

Drivers can often exceed the legal limits with extensive use. While McIlroy and other professionals carry backups in case of breakage, adapting to a new driver can take time to achieve the same comfort as with their primary equipment.

McIlroy tied for seventh place at the recent Truist Championship and is riding the momentum from a historic victory at The Masters last month, achieving the career grand slam on his 17th attempt.