3 days ago
Scottie Scheffler Forced to Change Key Club Before PGA Championship
After Rory McIlroy's poor performance at the PGA Championship this weekend, all anyone could talk about was the fact he was forced to change his driver after it was deemed non-conforming following a test before the year's second major teed off.
"We can confirm that the USGA was invited to do club testing at the PGA Championship, at the PGA of America's request. That testing program is consistent with the same level of support that the USGA provides to the PGA Tour and other championships, as part of their regular programs for driver testing," a statement from Kerry Haigh, Chief Championships Office, PGA of America said.
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"The standard process is for about a third of the field to be randomly tested under the program. That was the case at Quail Hollow this week. 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."
As it turns out, McIlroy wasn't the only one who was forced to change his driver over the weekend. Scottie Scheffler, who ended up winning the tournament by five shots, revealed he, too, was forced to change his driver after it failed inspection before the tournament.
"The driver testing is something that regularly happens on tour," Scheffler said. "My driver did fail me this week. We had a feeling that it was going to be coming because I've used that driver for over a year. I was kind of fortunate for it to last that long, I felt like."
Scheffler's telling admission led to plenty of comments on social media, with some praising his efforts, while others questioned why McIlroy was the storyline.
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"But all anyone could talk about all week was Rory's failed compliance test....," one person said.
"The system doesn't even make sense. There's no punishment for non conforming drivers, so what's stopping players from exploiting equipment? What incentive do they have to change drivers if they know their face is too thin? Seems like malpractice from USGA & PGA of America," questioned another.
"Well I guess people can be quiet about Rory now and stop calling him a cheater, sheesh. And congrats to Scottie on a great win. A very deserving champion," added a third.
Scheffler went on to suggest that the PGA Tour needs more robust testing of drivers to make the playing field level for all.
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"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," Scheffler said. "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."
Related: Scottie Scheffler, Wife Announced Big Personal News
