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Straits Times
18-05-2025
- Sport
- Straits Times
PGA of America neither confirms nor denies Rory McIlroy's non-conforming driver
May 17, 2025; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Rory McIlroy walks on the second green during the third round of the PGA Championship golf tournament at Quail Hollow. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-Imagn Images REUTERS May 17, 2025; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Rory McIlroy tees off on the third hole during the third round of the PGA Championship golf tournament at Quail Hollow. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-Imagn Images REUTERS CHARLOTTE - The PGA of America only indirectly addressed a report that Rory McIlroy's driver was found to be non-conforming before this week's PGA Championship. SiriusXM PGA Tour Radio first reported on Friday that McIlroy had been forced to switch to a different driver, but the Masters champion has not spoken with the media since the event began. He was publicly silent again after Saturday's third round, during which he shot a 1-over-par 72 that left him tied for 49th place. PGA of America chief championships officer Kerry Haigh was hardly more illuminating on Saturday, confirming only that driver tests had been conducted on about one-third of the field pre-championship at Quail Hollow. The U.S. Golf Association tests driver heads randomly at PGA Tour events and major championships to determine whether their spring-like effect is conforming. Spring-like effect refers to the elasticity of the clubface that allows it to spring back upon impact with the ball, much like a trampoline. A driver that conforms one week could be non-conforming the next due to minute changes in the clubface as a result of the wear and tear of hitting balls. "Finding driver heads that have crept over the line of conformance is not an unusual occurrence, especially for clubs that are hit thousands of times over a long period of time," Haigh said in a statement. "The results are kept confidential to protect players, who are unaware the club has fallen out of conformance and not responsible for it falling out of conformance other than hitting the club thousands of times. "Players are simply asked to change heads if necessary, and all do without issue. To publicly identify players whose club did not conform can lead to that player being questioned unnecessarily. Neither the USGA nor the PGA of America have any concerns about player intent." McIlroy, who plays with a TaylorMade driver, won the Masters in a playoff in April to become the sixth man to win the modern grand slam of all four majors -- joining Gene Sarazen, Ben Hogan, Gary Player, Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods. But he has been out of sorts off the tee this week and languished 13 strokes behind leader Scottie Scheffler after Saturday's third round. Are his struggles related to the driver issue? Only he would know that. --Andrew Both, Field Level Media REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Straits Times
14-05-2025
- Sport
- Straits Times
McIlroy living the dream at Quail Hollow with career Grand Slam complete
Mar 15, 2025; Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida, USA; Rory Mcllroy hits off the first tee during the third round of The Players Championship golf tournament. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Swinger-Imagn Images REUTERS CHARLOTTE, North Carolina - Rory McIlroy, whose Masters triumph last month completed a years-long pursuit of the career Grand Slam, said on Wednesday he has accomplished everything in golf he ever dreamed of and will not be burdened by any number-specific goals going forward. The five-times major champion was a picture of contentment while talking to reporters at Quail Hollow Club on the eve of the PGA Championship knowing his golf bingo card is complete. "I have achieved everything that I've wanted -- I've done everything I've wanted to do in the game," said McIlroy. "I dreamed as a child of becoming the best player in the world and winning all the majors. I've done that. "Everything beyond this, for however long I decide to play the game competitively, is a bonus." McIlroy's quest for an elusive Masters title had consumed him and become a tiring and burdensome decade-long narrative each year the Northern Irishman arrived at Augusta National for the year's first major. When his winning putt dropped on the first hole of a sudden-death playoff, a visibly moved and emotional McIlroy dropped to his knees and cried, releasing years of pent-up pressure and expectations. "I feel like I sort of burdened myself with the career Grand Slam stuff, and I want to enjoy this," said McIlroy. "I want to enjoy what I've achieved, and I want to enjoy the last decade or whatever of my career, and I don't want to burden myself by numbers or statistics. I just want to go and try to play the best golf I can." The 36-year-old McIlroy is still a force wherever he tees it up but even he finds it hard to imagine anything that could top what he achieved at Augusta National. "I'm still going to set myself goals. I'm still going to try to achieve certain things. But I sit here knowing that that very well could be the highlight of my career," said McIlroy. "That's a very cool thing. I want to still create a lot of other highlights and high points, but I'm not sure if any other win will live up to what happened a few weeks ago." This year's PGA Championship is being contested on a course where McIlroy has enjoyed more success than any other golfer, leading some to suggest he could leave Quail Hollow halfway to completing an unthinkable calendar-year Grand Slam. But McIlroy refuses to burden himself with such talk and will instead focus on giving his best each week. "I think everyone saw how hard having a north star is and being able to get over the line," said McIlroy. "If I can just try to get the best out of myself each and every week, I know what my abilities are; I know the golf that I can play. "And if I keep turning up and just trying to do that each and every week, especially in these four big ones a year, I know that I'll have my chances. I've always said I'm never going to put a number on it." REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
