The USA Golf Affiliation (USGA) has confirmed it won’t alter its driver testing protocols or launch check outcomes, regardless of latest failures involving Rory McIlroy and Scottie Scheffler.
Driver testing drew consideration throughout final month’s PGA Championship after studies revealed that McIlroy’s driver was deemed non-conforming.
McIlroy, who used a back-up driver all through the event, opted to not converse with media at some stage in the competitors however later confirmed the report and expressed disappointment that the outcomes had been leaked.
World No 1 Scheffler additionally disclosed he switched to a back-up driver on the PGA Championship after his authentic membership failed testing.
Talking forward of this week’s US Open at Oakmont – reside on Sky Sports activities – USGA CEO Mike Whan mentioned non-conforming outcomes are usually as a consequence of put on and tear, not intentional violations.
“These drivers don’t raise red flags during testing,” Whan mentioned. “They simply creep over the line due to overuse.”
Whan emphasised that the USGA conducts driver testing as a service to gamers, producers, and tours-not to penalize. He mentioned the group is dedicated to retaining outcomes confidential to keep away from pointless controversy.
“What happened at the PGA Championship only strengthened our resolve to keep this from becoming a public spectacle,” he mentioned. “The reality is far less dramatic than the headlines.”
Driver faces naturally degrade over time, finally failing the “characteristic time” check, which measures the spring-like impact of the clubface.
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Whan likened it to a trampoline: “The longer the ball stays on, the higher it bounces. If it exceeds 258 microseconds, it’s out of tolerance.”
Random testing was performed this week at Oakmont, however Whan mentioned he was unaware of any failures. He added the USGA would reassess its method provided that a regarding development emerged.
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