“Rory McIlroy’s ‘gamer’ driver was deemed non-conforming by USGA,” this was the post from Jason Sobel, which left the entire golf world in shock. Rory McIlroy, who recently achieved a career high of becoming a grand slam winner, has now been under scrutiny for using an illegal piece. But in reality, the process was different from what the majority knows about.
The Northern Irishman earned praise for his exceptional driving distance, along with the great speed at which he carries while driving the club towards the ball. But the fact that speed might have become his enemy now. In the first round, the 2025 PGA Championship winner started with a bogey, and against expectations, he recorded two birdies, three bogeys, and a double bogey to close the round at 74.
With his performance decline, it was the course condition that was being blamed. However, in reality, it was something else. McIlroy’s Qi10 driver failed the USGA’s stringent check. The USGA, along with the R&A, checks all the parameters around the equipment, and in McIlroy’s case, his driver’s head was ‘non-conforming.’
McIlroy could have been using the same driver at the Masters as well, but at that time, it could have been ‘conforming.’ Though the details are not shared but as per the golf insiders, the head that takes the hit might have gotten cracked with the high speed and resulted in a last-minute change for him. Basically, over time, a driver can become ‘non-conforming’ once you hit it more.
Rory McIlroy’s “gamer” driver was deemed non-conforming by USGA, via @JasonSobelGolf.
Switched drivers before R1 of PGA Championship.
— Underdog Golf (@UnderdogGolf) May 16, 2025
This is a developing story..
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