PGA of America Addresses Rory McIlroy’s Driver Controversy at 2025 PGA Championship
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The PGA of America has issued a statement following reports that Rory McIlroy was compelled to replace his driver ahead of the 2025 PGA Championship due to a rules infraction. The organization clarified that the incident was part of standard equipment testing procedures and emphasized that there was no suspicion of intentional wrongdoing by McIlroy.
According to the PGA of America’s Chief Championships Officer, Kerry Haigh, the United States Golf Association (USGA) conducted routine club testing at Quail Hollow, where the championship is being held. Approximately one-third of the field underwent random driver inspections, a common practice in major tournaments. Haigh explained that it’s not unusual for driver heads to become non-conforming over time due to extensive use, especially by players with high swing speeds like McIlroy. He stated, “Finding driver heads that have crept over the line of conformance is not an unusual occurrence… Neither the USGA nor the PGA of America have any concerns about player intent.”
McIlroy’s TaylorMade Qi10 driver was reportedly deemed non-conforming during a Tuesday testing session, necessitating a switch to a backup club before the tournament’s commencement. This unexpected change appeared to affect his performance, as he struggled with driving accuracy, hitting only four fairways in the opening round and six in the second. Despite these challenges, McIlroy managed to make the cut with a second-round score of 69.
The PGA of America emphasized that such equipment issues are typically confidential to protect players from undue scrutiny. Haigh noted, “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.”
McIlroy has not publicly commented on the incident, choosing to focus on his performance in the tournament. As the championship progresses, he remains in contention, aiming to overcome the early setback and vie for his first PGA Championship title since 2014.