Leak Reveals Rory McIlroy Was Caught With Illegal Equipment Before PGA Championship Began

That perfect driver in your bag—the one that just feels right in your hands. You’ve hit countless balls with it. The face has tiny battle scars. The sweet spot seems to get sweeter with time. For weekend golfers, this evolution is bliss. For pros like Rory McIlroy, it can suddenly become a rules violation.

McIlroy faced precisely this dilemma right before the PGA Championship began. His trusted TaylorMade Qi10 driver—the club he’d carefully calibrated to his swing—failed USGA testing. “Rory McIlroy’s ‘gamer’ driver was deemed non-conforming by USGA,” reported Underdog Golf via Twitter, citing Jason Sobel’s findings. The issue likely stems from “driver creep”—when club faces become more flexible with repeated use. This naturally occurring phenomenon has caught several top players off guard.

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

In 2019, Xander Schauffele experienced similar problems at The Open. His driver also failed testing, creating controversy when his name leaked while others remained private.

McIlroy struggled after the last-minute switch. He found only four fairways during his opening round, contributing to a disappointing 3-over 74.

This is a developing story..

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