Rory McIlroy at the Players Championship on Thursday.
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After Rory McIlroy’s robust play at the Arnold Palmer Invitational final week, it was straightforward to place him at or close to the high of the listing of favorites this week at the Players Championship at TPC Sawgrass. Then got here Thursday, when he opened with a disappointing four-over 76 that has him 12 photographs again of chief Chad Ramey.
After the spherical, as McIlroy was chatting with the difficulties he was having on the course, the dialog rapidly turned to his driver, a TaylorMade Stealth 2 Plus that he added to his bag after the first spherical of the Genesis Invitational final month. Let’s break down what he was requested, and what he stated.
Question: “I think the first day last week your driver was slightly off and you got it back. Is it something that you’re just not cracking on with your tee shot?”
McIlroy: “Yeah, obviously I went to that new driver in Riviera, and it’s just not…Look, I wish I could use my driver from last year, but I can’t just because of — you use a driver for so long, and it starts to get a little too…basically, it just wouldn’t pass the test.”
The take a look at to which McIlroy is referring is the CT (attribute time) take a look at, which measures how briskly or “hot” a driver’s face is. If the driver’s face is simply too quick, it may be deemed non-conforming/unlawful.
USGA
When gamers use a driver for too lengthy, it could actually turn into non-conforming by means of CT “creep,” which is what occurs when a driver head will get repeated use, particularly at greater speeds. The extra the face flexes on affect, the extra the metallic — or carbon, in the case of McIlroy’s Stealth 2 Plus — begins to fatigue. Interestingly, as the face begins to fatigue, it doesn’t decelerate — it really will get quicker, resulting in extra distance.
Pros’ drivers don’t usually fail CT checks, however it does occur. Two days earlier than the begin of the 2019 Open Championship, Xander Schauffele’s Callaway driver failed a take a look at and was deemed non-conforming by the R&A.
McIlroy is clearly attuned to driver rules as a result of he referenced the fatiguing course of after his spherical Thursday, saying, “The more a club is used, the more it’s hit, the more springy the face becomes.”
At the Genesis Invitational final month, the place the PGA Tour and USGA have been on-site CT-testing drivers, McIlroy stated he swapped drivers as a result of he was involved that his former first-generation TaylorMade Stealth may need been near the restrict. “I just didn’t even want to take the chance,” he stated Thursday. “I just was not comfortable knowing that it could feel — doesn’t look good on me, doesn’t look good on TaylorMade.”
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When reached for remark, a TaylorMade spokesperson stated in an announcement, “We constantly monitor the performance of our products on all tours and work with our athletes on the best timeline to consider any optimal changes. This is a normal and regular process.”
Although driver discuss consumed most of McIlroy’s post-round press convention, he nonetheless positioned blame on himself for his poor play and famous one in all the advantages his new driver has offered since he made the change.
“This one is as close as it’s been (to the previous driver),” he stated. “Yeah, there’s obviously a part of it that’s the user, as well. It’s quite a lot of user error in there, as well.”
When requested if his new driver confirmed an inclination off the tee, McIlroy stated, “If anything there’s not a lot of left in it, which I like. Historically, my miss off the tee has been left, so it’s nice to know that you’re sort of taking, I guess, that side out of play.”
The upside for McIlroy on Thursday: He nonetheless gained +.704 strokes on the discipline together with his driver, placing him inside the top-20 in that class. He really struggled extra together with his quick sport and putter, the place he was -3.181 round the greens and -2.628 together with his flatstick. McIlroy is three strokes off the present minimize line and in want of a giant second spherical if he’s to provide himself an opportunity this weekend.
Looking to realize far and confidence off the tee with your personal sport this season? Find a becoming location close to you at GOLF’s affiliate firm True Spec Golf. For extra on the newest gear information and knowledge, take a look at our newest Fully Equipped podcast under.
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