Rory McIlroy has been silent since the 2025 PGA Championship, where a cloud of controversy hung over him due to questions about his driver. Rumors swirled that he’d been forced to switch drivers before the tournament, with some speculating that his trusty club had cracked or failed a test of legality. A statement from the PGA of America’s chief championships officer, Kerry Haigh, added fuel to the fire, confirming that around a third of players had undergone testing by the USGA, and that it’s not uncommon for drivers to “creep over the line” after extensive use.

However, the lack of transparency and Haigh’s refusal to name names only seemed to fan the flames of speculation, with some even questioning the validity of McIlroy’s Masters win. As DP World Tour player Oliver Wilson pointed out, “The fact that it got leaked leads people that don’t have all the information to draw conclusions that are not correct.” Now, another PGA Tour pro is reflecting on the drama, and let’s just say he makes some good points.

Speaking on the latest presser at the Memorial Tournament, Xander Schauffele weighed in on the controversy surrounding drivers that don’t quite play by the rules. When asked about potential solutions to the issue, Schauffele’s response was refreshingly straightforward: test everyone’s drivers, record the serial numbers, and call it a day. But what really stood out was his bemused take on the whole situation. “I didn’t even understand sort of the public’s negative opinion on it,” Schauffele admitted. To him, it’s just a normal part of the game, drivers creep over the line, and unless they physically crack, it’s business as usual.

Schauffele’s point is that golf is a nuanced game, and every club is unique, even if they look identical on paper. “No driver’s the same and no shaft is the same,” he notes. “They can have all the same writing and logos on them, but the makeup of each head and shaft is slightly different.” In his view, the idea that players are trying to sneak in “hot” drivers is a bit far-fetched. “By no means do I think anyone is, like, trying to have some hot driver out here,” he says with a shrug. “It’s, like, your club and you want to use that club because you know it like it’s your best friend.”

Schauffele is not the only one who has expressed his views on the controversy. Paul McGinley, McIlroy’s former Ryder Cup captain, has also weighed in, expressing concerns over the USGA’s lack of transparency and calling for a clear statement on the matter. McGinley believes that transparency is key in such situations, allowing everyone to be “clear about it and move on.”

The incident has sparked a debate about the importance of clear communication in golf’s governing bodies, with some arguing that disclosure promotes trust, while others see it as unnecessary. But many don’t know that Schauffele himself has been a part of the same controversy.

The 2019 Open Championship was nothing short of a nightmare for Xander Schauffele

The 2019 Open Championship at Royal Portrush was supposed to be a showcase of golfing excellence, but for Xander Schauffele, it turned into an equipment-testing nightmare. Ahead of the tournament, the R&A decided to get tough on driver conformance, testing the sticks of 30 players for a second consecutive year. And guess who became the poster child for non-compliance? None other than Schauffele himself, who failed the test after the second round and was forced to scramble for a replacement on the eve of the tournament. “I would gladly give up my driver if it’s not conforming,” Schauffele said, understandably miffed. “But there are still 130 other players in the field that potentially have a nonconforming driver as well.” He had a point — why was he singled out, and what about the others?

It turned out Schauffele wasn’t the only one with a driver face that was deemed too springy that week, but he was the one who took the hit. The stress and inconvenience of having to find a new driver at the last minute likely didn’t help his game, as evidenced by his opening 74. Schauffele’s frustration with the R&A’s process was palpable, and he wasn’t afraid to speak up. “Had a word with [the R&A], and hopefully they take my comments seriously and my concern,” he said, hinting that the testing process could be more transparent and fair. After all, who wants to spend Tuesday evening of a major, frantically searching for a new driver? Not Schauffele, that’s for sure.