Rory McIlroy entered the weekend at the PGA Championship sitting at 1-over 143 after Friday’s round. While he made the cut, his hopes of winning back-to-back majors seemed slim heading into Saturday.
But the biggest story surrounding McIlroy hasn’t been his scorecard — it’s been his driver.
McIlroy’s driver, historically one of the most reliable weapons in his bag, became the center of controversy this week. Rumors began circulating about whether his driver head was still conforming to legal standards. Notably, McIlroy elected to replace the driver head before the tournament and offered no comment when asked about the issue.
On Saturday morning, the PGA of America released an official statement addressing the growing speculation: “We can confirm that the USGA was invited to do club testing at the PGA Championship, at the PGA of America’s request.”
#NEW The PGA of America’s statement on Rory McIlroy’s driver and driver testing:
“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… pic.twitter.com/X6NL8GLk5Y
— NUCLR GOLF (@NUCLRGOLF) May 17, 2025
The statement further clarified: “This testing program is consistent with the same level of support the USGA provides to the PGA Tour and other championships. As part of their regular driver testing protocols, approximately one-third of the field is selected for random testing. That was the case at Quail Hollow this week.”
The PGA of America went on to explain what driver testing entails and how results are handled:
“It’s not unusual to find driver heads that have crept beyond the threshold of conformance, especially when clubs have been used thousands of times over extended periods. The results are kept confidential to protect players who may not be aware the club has fallen out of conformance. Players are not held responsible unless there is clear intent. If a club is found to be non-conforming, the player is simply asked to change the driver head — something all players comply with without issue.”
Despite the off-course buzz, McIlroy remains one of the most dominant figures in golf. Just last month, he claimed his first green jacket at Augusta, marking his fifth major championship and giving him the career Grand Slam. He won the PGA Championship in 2012 and 2014.
At 36 years old, McIlroy boasts 44 professional wins, with 29 of those coming on the PGA Tour. While his chances at Quail Hollow this week may be fading, his legacy in the sport continues to grow.
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