Rory McIlroy rocked as driver deemed non-conforming ahead of PGA Championship
Rory McIlroy has been forced into using a backup driver at the PGA Championship after his regular driver was tested and deemed to be non-conforming after he arrived at Quail Hollow.
McIlroy has struggled off the tee, hitting only 10 fairways from the opening two rounds. The Masters champion made the cut on the number after a bogey on the final hole.
For the second straight day, McIlroy left Quail Hollow and declined to speak to the media.
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The USGA, which tests clubs to make sure they are conforming at the request of the tournaments in the US and Mexico, confirmed they carried out tests at Quail Hollow when asked by the PGA of America. All tests are done before the first round.
Rory McIlroy's driver was found to be non-conforming ahead of the PGA Championship. Getty
McIlroy's backup driver has exactly the same specs as the one that carried him to an emotional victory at The Masters.
Drivers in particular can become non-conforming through use. McIlroy is one of the longest drivers in the game, and the face of his club can become thinner over time.
The USGA said their testing program was the same as the one they carry out week-in, week-out at PGA Tour events. Results are confidential.
Veteran golf writer Rex Hoggard said players and equipment manufacturers often pushed the limits with what's legal and not, and categorically denied suggestions McIlroy was cheating.
McIlroy has been using a backup at the PGA Championship. Getty
"No player wants a driver that's too safe, that it's never going to fail. They want it as close to the edge, within the legal limits, as possible," he explained on the Golf Channel.
"The more you hit it with that much force, with that much speed, eventually they are all going to be made non-conforming."
McIlroy's former Ryder Cup captain Paul McGinley said he was unhappy the USGA had not publicly released the findings, as they did when Xander Schauffele's driver was determined non-conforming ahead of 2019 British Open.
"If the USGA, as reported, have found that the driver is illegal, well put out a statement about it accordingly, and we're all clear about it and can move on," he said, before suggesting they had lost control of the narrative by not doing so.
The PGA of America did not immediately respond to a request for such information as how many players submitted drivers for testing, instead referring to the USGA statement.
At the 2019 Open at Royal Portrush, Schauffele was among 30 players randomly selected to have his driver tested by the R&A, which governs golf everywhere but the US and Mexico.
Schauffele said he wasn't aware his driver didn't conform until notified, and then worked into Tuesday evening that week to find a replacement.
He was furious with the R&A for not keeping the matter confidential.
"I've been called a cheater by my fellow opponents," Schauffele said.
"It's all joking, but when someone yells 'cheater' in front of 200 people to me, it's not going down very well."
Drivers often can fall outside the limits after a lot of use. While McIlroy and others keep backups with them in case they crack, it can take time for them to feel as comfortable with it as their regular clubs.
McIlroy tied for seventh last week at the Truist Championship. He is coming off the greatest moment of his career last month when he won the Masters on his 17th try to become only the sixth player in history with the career grand slam.
