In the middle of a heated argument, Rory McIlroy has once again backed the return of the golf ball. After many players and fans criticized the R&A and USGA’s move, the Irish golfer spoke out in support of it. At first, the golfer was against the change, but now he says it will “help bring back certain skills in the pro game.”
He first said the project was a “huge waste of time and money.” But he quickly changed his mind and now supports the governing groups. It was said that the former PGA Tour player director “doesn’t understand the anger about the golf ball rollback.” He said that the change doesn’t affect amateur golfers and that it “puts golf back on a path of sustainability.”
Rory McIlroy wrote on X (formerly known as Twitter) that he supported the golf ball rollback: “I don’t understand the anger about the golf ball rollback.” Most golfers won’t notice a change, and it puts golf back on a path toward sustainability. Some skills that have been lost in the pro game over the last 20 years will also be brought back.
His words also showed that “elite pros and ball manufacturers” are to blame for the planned change, not the governing bodies. The game, he said, was affected by “money talks.
“If people are angry about this choice, they shouldn’t be angry at the governing bodies. Instead, they should be angry at the top pros and brands that make clubs and balls, since they didn’t want bifurcation. That choice was given to us by the governing groups earlier this year.
Professional athletes and companies that make balls think that division would hurt their bottom lines, but the game is already split in two. You think we play the same music as you? They pushed the governing groups to make the changes less severe for everyone.
Everyone thought that bifurcation was the right answer, but as always in this game, money talks. This isn’t the first time McIlroy has backed the move, which is important to remember. He said earlier in March that “innovation was a part of every sport” and praised the idea to make the ball shorter in professional football.
People online didn’t like what the four-time Major Championship winner said. Players like Bryson DeChambeau, Jon Rahm, and Justin Thomas all criticized the move.
Report: The USGA and R&A will soon announce a rollback on golf balls.
Several news sources say that the USGA and R&A will announce the rollback of golf balls next week.
According to Golf Digest, the move will be mentioned by all golfers, whether they are professionals or just play for fun. This goes against what was said before, which was that the change would only affect workers.
For those who don’t know, the R&A and USGA first voiced worries about longer golf ball drives in 2020. Soon after, the governing bodies made a joint statement about the new Modal Local Rule (MLR). The project plan says that the testing standards for golf balls will be changed to make driving faster and farther.
