Latest news with #107thPGAChampionship
USA Today
3 days ago
- Automotive
- USA Today
Driver testing remains a hot-button topic on the PGA Tour. Especially when someone leaks
Driver testing remains a hot-button topic on the PGA Tour. Especially when someone leaks Driver testing became a big topic of discussion again during the 107th PGA Championship when SiriusXM reported that Rory McIlroy's club had failed a USGA test ahead of the major, forcing him to switch out the head of the TaylorMade Qi10 driver he had used to win the Masters in April. He wasn't the only big-name player to fail, either. We learned during the final round that world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler was on his way to winning his third career major with his backup TaylorMade driver. 'I was the one who leaked it, basically, about Scott's,' Xander Schauffele said earlier this week ahead of the 2025 Memorial Tournament. 'To me, it was more of like, a credit to how good he was, ya know? I didn't realize — I apologized. I was like, 'Sorry, dude. I wasn't trying to have that be a question in your media after you just won another major.' It was more about, like, this guy just used his backup and absolutely rinsed the field again.' Scheffler gave a thoughtful answer, echoing Schauffele that more thorough testing needed to be implemented to make the testing more credible. Given that McIlroy has declined to comment on the subject, it refuses to go away. Last week, during his SiriusXM PGA Tour Radio show, Lucas Glover re-lit the fire when he said that he believes players on the PGA Tour who are required to submit their drivers for random USGA conformance testing for face flexibility have been known to avoid having their actual gamers tested by submitting a backup model for the field test instead.
USA Today
3 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Xander Schauffele apologizes to Scottie Scheffler for leaking non-conforming driver news
Xander Schauffele apologizes to Scottie Scheffler for leaking non-conforming driver news DUBLIN, Ohio – Xander Schauffele smiled as he remembered how ticked off he was six years ago at Royal Portrush during the 2019 British Open after he was exposed for having a non-conforming driver. 'I kind of lit a fire and threw everyone under the bus,' he said. 'I remember there was a line, and I was like, 'I'm stepping across it.'' Driver testing became a big topic of discussion again during the 107th PGA Championship when SiriusXM reported that Rory McIlroy's club had failed a USGA test ahead of the major, forcing him to switch out the head of the TaylorMade Qi10 driver he had used to win the Masters in April. He wasn't the only big-name player to fail, either. We learned during the final round that world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler was on his way to winning his third career major with his backup TaylorMade driver. 'I was the one who leaked it, basically, about Scott's,' Schauffele said. 'To me, it was more of like, a credit to how good he was, ya know? I didn't realize — I apologized. I was like, 'Sorry, dude. I wasn't trying to have that be a question in your media after you just won another major.' 'It was more about, like, this guy just used his backup and absolutely rinsed the field again.' Scheffler gave a thoughtful answer, echoing Schauffele that more thorough testing needed to be implemented to make the testing more credible. Given that McIlroy has declined to comment on the subject, it refuses to go away. Last week, during his SiriusXM PGA Tour Radio show, Lucas Glover re-lit the fire when he said that he believes players on the PGA Tour who are required to submit their drivers for random USGA conformance testing for face flexibility have been known to avoid having their actual gamers tested by submitting a backup model for the field test instead. Speaking at the U.S. Women's Open, USGA CEO Mike Whan was quick to dismiss this possibility. 'We keep serial numbers of the driver that was given to us,' he said. 'And 90 percent of the drivers that were given to us in those practice facilities when we test are played on the first tee, and we expect 10 percent of players to be making changes anyway,' he said. Asked if he agreed with Glover's remarks that players might be circumventing driver testing, Collin Morikawa said, 'People joke about doing it, but I don't think anyone actually does.' Has he had a driver fail? 'I don't think I swing it fast enough,' he said. 'Or I don't hit enough drivers on the range. One or the other.' CT Creep, a measurement recorded in microseconds that indicates how long the ball stays in contact with the clubface during impact, is a phenomenon where a golf driver's face becomes more flexible over time, potentially exceeding legal limits. Morikawa went on to explain that the process by which a driver is graded is comparable to a traffic light – green is good, yellow passes, but use it with caution as it is on the verge of failing, and red is non-conforming. 'We want our drivers to be in yellow. It's passing, but it's like you want it to be fast, you don't want it to be slow,' he said. 'But if it's close to failing or if it's failing and it's close to cracking, I mean, what are you gaining? You're not gaining anything. Guys aren't going to hit it 25 yards further.' 'It's not like a corked bat,' Schauffele said. 'That's just not how golf works. You either swing it hard and hit it hard or you don't.' Schauffele added: 'I didn't even understand the public's negative opinion on it, it didn't really register in my head because I know, one, it's like, we hit our drivers a lot, so they creep and then they go over a line. We don't know the line — we have no clue. Unless our driver physically cracks and you start hitting these knuckle balls off the tee that disperse everywhere; then you know your driver's broken.' It's not so much about what a player is gaining but what is lost – comfort with a gamer that a player trusts. The specs may be the same, but drivers are mass-produced products and players develop relationships and preferences for specific clubs. In ways that club players could not detect, they perform differently. 'They can have all the same writing and logos on them, but the makeup of each head and shaft is slightly different,' he said. 'We have our trusty club, and then you take it out and switch it … there's a little bit of a grace period where you have to get used to it.' Does that explain why McIlroy, arguably the best driver of the ball on Tour, was spraying his tee shots around Quail Hollow and went from Grand Slam aspirations to barely making the cut and a disappointing T-47 finish? Perhaps, but until he addresses the subject – next week when he plays at the RBC Canadian Open? – we won't know for sure.
Newsweek
6 days ago
- Sport
- Newsweek
US Open Champ Drops a Bomb, Claims PGA Tour Players Cheat Driver Tests
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Every golfer steps onto the course aiming to compete under fair conditions, but U.S. Open champion Lucas Glover revealed - that might not be the case! Speaking on his SiriusXM PGA Tour Radio Show, Glover shared a blunt realization: "I came to the realization that we're not all playing under the same umbrella at these majors unless we did test everybody." His comments came in the wake of one of the biggest controversies of the month—the USGA's driver testing during the 107th PGA Championship. ORLANDO, FL - MARCH 19: Lucas Glover of the United States and Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland walk during the final round of the Arnold Palmer Invitational Presented By MasterCard at Bay Hill Club and... ORLANDO, FL - MARCH 19: Lucas Glover of the United States and Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland walk during the final round of the Arnold Palmer Invitational Presented By MasterCard at Bay Hill Club and Lodge on March 19, 2017 in Orlando, Florida. (Photo by) More Getty Images Before the Quail Hollow event started, Rory McIlroy's driver was tested and shockingly declared "non-confirmed." But instead of addressing the growing debate, McIlroy stayed silent, skipping media duties throughout the event, fueling speculations. Recently, McIlroy opted out of the Memorial Tournament, an event he had attended consistently for the past eight years. Meanwhile, Scottie Scheffler, the PGA Championship winner, faced a similar issue. His driver also failed testing, forcing him to switch clubs, but unlike McIlroy, Scheffler spoke openly, diffusing much of the speculation before it could spiral out of control. 'I would argue that if we're going to test the drivers, we need to be more robust in the way we test them.' Scottie Scheffler reveals his driver failed testing this week but says it's time for a more consistent, stricter process. — (@GOLF_com) May 19, 2025 But that did not deter Glover, who was not convinced by how selective testing was applied, questioning whether players were truly competing under equal conditions. Lucas Glover reveals how players cheat driver test For Glover, the problem is not just isolated incidents—it is an inconsistency in testing across major tournaments. "I've been trying to think all morning and all day how to say this without sounding like it's gonna sound, but most guys don't give them their real driver anyway. They hand over their backup so it won't fail testing. It's their way of protecting the driver they actually use." "I know a lot of guys, they keep two drivers in their bag just in case. 'Hey, oh, yeah, it's this one. It's this one right here. Yeah, do this, test this one,'" he revealed. But the issue is bigger than just the players themselves. The lack of consistency in testing players' drivers and putters puts things on an unequal footing. "We got LIV guys, we got other tour guys, we got tons of different players and tours being represented at the four biggest tournaments of the year. "So why doesn't everybody get tested at every major? And why don't we somehow try to make sure it's the driver being used?" His solution? Universal driver testing for all players at every major event to eliminate loopholes. "If that costs X amount of dollars, great. Let's do it," he said. According to the US Open champion, these organizations "got plenty." FORT WORTH, TEXAS - MAY 24: Lucas Glover of the United States looks on from the 16th green during the third round of the Charles Schwab Challenge 2025 at Colonial Country Club on May 24,... FORT WORTH, TEXAS - MAY 24: Lucas Glover of the United States looks on from the 16th green during the third round of the Charles Schwab Challenge 2025 at Colonial Country Club on May 24, 2025 in Fort Worth, Texas. (Photo by) More Getty Images "Look at the tents they build every week. If we're going be on an equal playing field, and the four biggest events are going to bring all these people and all these tours together, let's make sure we're playing under the same rules." he expressed. Glover's own experience with testing Unlike McIlroy and Scheffler, Glover was among the few players whose driver was selected for testing, and he passed without any issues. "I don't hit far enough to thin a face out anymore," he joked. "But mine was fine." Had his driver failed, Glover admitted, "I'd have been devastated." Switching drivers, even if they are the same model, can significantly impact a player's performance, which is why he sympathized with McIlroy's situation. "I found out a couple days later, the next day, whatever it was, that that was an entirely new driver" "We should all be held under the same rules at [the majors]." Lucas Glover wants to see more expansive testing of equipment and beyond at the four major championships. Check out the newest episode of The Lucas Glover Show now on the SiriusXM App! 🔊: — SiriusXM PGA TOUR Radio (@SiriusXMPGATOUR) May 22, 2025 "And I said, wow, that stinks for him because you gotta drive it there [Quail Hollow] really, really, really well. And obviously, coming off the Masters and coming off playing great all winter, all spring, and you gotta do that. Yeah, I was like, man, that's tough." With McIlroy's silence to date, the debate over driver regulations is now front and center. Will the PGA Tour and USGA step up to enforce fair testing? More Golf: Rory McIlroy Turning Heads with Stunning Decision Ahead of US Open
Daily Mirror
22-05-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Scottie Scheffler branded 'monster' after US PGA Championship win
Scottie Scheffler underlined his ability to cope under immense pressure as he won the PGA Championship at Quail Hollow for the first time, adding to his two Masters triumphs Scottie Scheffler has been dubbed 'a monster' after clinching his third major title. The world No.1 cruised to his third major title in the 107th PGA Championship. Scheffler overcame an early stumble to card a closing 71 and finish 11 under par, five shots ahead of Bryson DeChambeau, Harris English and Davis Riley. As well as taking home the Wanamaker Trophy for the first time, Scheffler joined the legendary Seve Ballesteros in an exclusive club of players since 1906 to win their first three majors by three or more shots. Composure on and off the green has earned Scheffler numerous plaudits, but according to CBS sports commentator and former Masters winner Trevor Immelman, his placid demeanour belies a cutthroat nature beneath the surface that emerges when stakes are high. Speaking on the Fried Egg Golf podcast, Immelman said: "I have a ton of respect for Scottie, as a human, as a competitor, as a golfer. He lulls you to sleep with his calmness and how he seems not to be too affected by too much. But he's mean, man, he's a mean competitor. "If you pull back some of those layers of the gentlemanly aspect that he portrays and you just isolate the competitor when he's out on the course, he's a monster, an absolute monster. I love that, I love watching it." To illustrate Immelman's point, Scheffler drew attention to his mental toughness in clinching the PGA Championship. He said: "This is a special tournament. Any time you can win a major championship is pretty cool and I'm proud of how I did this week just staying in it mentally and hitting the shots when I needed to. "This back nine will be one that I remember for a long time. It was a grind out there. I think at one point on the front, I maybe had a four or five-shot lead, and making the turn I think I was tied for the lead. "So to step up when I needed to the most, I'll remember that for a while. I always try to lean as much as I can on my mind. I think that's probably my greatest strength. "Today and this week I really just feel like I did such a good job of staying patient when I wasn't swinging it my best but I hit the shots when I needed to. I hit the important shots well this week, and that's why I'm walking away with the trophy." Scheffler would be forgiven for taking a break after his victory at Quail Hollow, but he will be back at it straight away after confirming his participation in the Charles Schwab Challenge at Fort Worth, where the victor will collect £1.3million. Location will have helped his decision as Scheffler resides in nearby Dallas. But he has no intention of just making up the numbers, saying: "I didn't just show up here to Fort Worth to just walk around and celebrate last week. 'I'm here for a reason, and that ́s not to just play a couple of ceremonious rounds and then ride off in the sunset. I'm here for a reason, that's to compete."
Newsweek
20-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Newsweek
Scottie Scheffler's Son, Bennett, Steals PGA Championship Show
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. The 107th PGA Championship proved to be a true test for every golfer on the course, including the winner, Scottie Scheffler. The World No. 1 was left frustrated after the mudball controversy pushed him to his limits. Yet, Scheffler refused to let setbacks define his tournament. After making the cut, he stormed into the lead and never looked back. 2025 PGA Championship: Scottie Scheffler with the Wanamaker Trophy and son, Bennett, after winning the 107th PGA Championship at Quail Hollow on May 18th, 2025. ( Image Credits: @pgachampionship/Instagram) 2025 PGA Championship: Scottie Scheffler with the Wanamaker Trophy and son, Bennett, after winning the 107th PGA Championship at Quail Hollow on May 18th, 2025. ( Image Credits: @pgachampionship/Instagram) Instagram On Sunday, the Texas native secured his third major title, adding the PGA Championship to his two Masters trophies. While his performance excited everyone, what thrilled spectators even more was Scheffler's emotional celebration. Particularly when it came to his one-year-old son, Bennett. Bennett Scheffler steals the limelight at Quail Hollow As Scottie Scheffler sank his winning shot on the 18th hole, he let out his feelings, saying, "F***k yeah!" His wife, Meredith, and their son, Bennett, wrapped themselves in his arms as she expressed how proud she felt in that moment. But Bennett wasn't ready to let go of his father just yet. Every time Meredith tried separating the toddler, he cried. Scheffler, always the family man, decided to bring Bennett along as he moved toward the scoring area, keeping his little one by his side. I'm dying at this whole sequence. Scottie takes his son Bennett into the scoring area, sets him on the ground, gives him his scorecard holder to play with and signs for his 3rd major championship. — Gabby Herzig (@GabbyHerzig) May 18, 2025 To keep Bennett entertained, Scheffler also handed him a few keepsakes - his cap, notepad, and other small items. The heartwarming scenes did not stop there. As Scheffler made his way to the 18th hole to hoist the Wanamaker Trophy, Bennett once again making his presence felt. While the Ridgewood, New Jersey native was busy taking a photo with officials, all eyes were instead on Bennett, crawling his way across the 18th green. Bennett's turn to conquer Quail Hollow. — Golf Digest (@GolfDigest) May 18, 2025 Spectators couldn't get enough of the adorable moment, as the young Scheffler seemed determined to be part of his father's historic achievement. And there's no doubt he'll do it again, bringing joy to fans everywhere. More Golf: Collin Morikawa Mocks Wanamaker Trophy Blunder with a Subtle Nod
