Rory McIlroy supports ‘unpopular’ distance-reducing ball proposals made by the USGA and R&A | Golf News

Rory McIlroy on the proposal: “I know that this is an unpopular opinion among my friends, but I think it will help to identify who the best player is that is easier. a few decades.”

Rory McIlroy has backed the “unpopular” idea of ​​shorter balls being used in elite competitions and possibly being used in PGA Tour events if not required.

Golf’s governing body said in February 2020 it wanted to “break the cycle of ever-increasing hitting distance” and last week announced a proposal for Model Local Rules (MLR) to give tournaments the option to require the use of balls that will travel. 15 meters less.

R&A chief executive Martin Slumbers and USGA partner Mike Whan confirmed that the MLR will apply to its own elite events, particularly the Open Championship and US Open.

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Rory McIlroy says he is ‘ready to get back to being a golfer’ after his hopes of returning to No. 1 at The Players were dashed by a missed cut at TPC Sawgrass.

The PGA Tour did not immediately object to the proposal and was heavily criticized by top equipment manufacturer Acushnet and former world No. 1 Justin Thomas, who plays the market-leading Titleist ball.

However, with The Masters – which McIlroy must win to complete his career grand slam – expected to use a shorter ball, McIlroy said he may choose to play in PGA Tour tournaments even if the MLR is not adopted on the US circuit.

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Augusta National is certainly a course where legends can be made, watch the Masters 2023 tournament live on Sky Sports from Thursday 6 April.

“Honestly, for me, the major championship is the biggest deal, so if the PGA Tour doesn’t implement it, I can still play the Model Local Rules ball, because I know that it will give me the best opportunity and the best preparation. leading up to the major championship, “said McIlroy to No Laying Up.

“And again, this is a personal choice and a personal opinion at this stage of my career. I know that I will be defined by the number of major championships that I hope to win from now until the end of my career. That is the most important thing for me.

Rory McIlroy will be chasing a career Grand Slam at The Masters from April 6-9, live on Sky Sports

“If it gives me the best chance to succeed in a major championship and I feel I’m ready, then I’ll do it.”

McIlroy has previously accused the R & A and USGA of “self-important” through proposals to limit driving distance, but at the time it seemed to miss that the change will not be aimed at non-elite players.

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Andrew Coltart believes the role of chairman of the PGA Players Advisory Council has had a negative impact on Rory Mcllroy’s form, after he failed to clear the Players Championship.

“I’m excited about this new proposal that they don’t touch recreational golfers. But to play at the elite level, I really like it,” added McIlroy.

“I know this is an unpopular opinion among my colleagues, but I think it will help identify who the best players are more easily.

“You [at No Laying Up] use the term ‘golf has dumbed down a little at the elite level’, and I completely agree. I think you’ll see people with a better game succeed more easily than the game, which has been a bit ‘bomb and gouge’ for the past few years.

Rahm: Why did you change it?

The MLR proposal was sent to equipment manufacturers before the announcement and they can provide feedback until August 14. If adopted, it will take effect in January 2026.

The change would reduce the reach distance by an average of 14-15 yards for players with the highest clubhead speeds, with world No. 2 Jon Rahm questioning why golf’s governing body would make such a proposal.

Jon Rahm has talked about a proposed rule change that would reduce the distance the ball can travel

“The biggest question for him is that we’re in a golden age of golf that’s exploded since COVID, a lot of people are watching, you have a very different tour, all of this is happening to the game and it’s growing,” Rahm said. “Why change what works?”

“They’re very focused on making professional golf harder than it is. I don’t know why. Do I think it’s the right choice? When it comes to me, I don’t think it’s going to be a problem. That’s a lot.

“It’s going to be more damaging to the shorter hitters on Tour than it is to the distance guys, because if you give me a seven iron instead of a nine or eight iron, that means you’re giving them a four or five as opposed to a seven or six.

“I will still be able to finish in most places with a seven-iron while some people may not.”

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