Paul McGinley jumps to Rory McIlroy defence over PGA treatment

May 20, 2025

Paul McGinley has jumped to the defence of Rory McIlroy and claims the PGA have hung him out to dry.

McIlroy controversially avoided the media across all four days of the PGA Championship after struggling to mount any challenge towards the top of the leaderboard.

During the tournament, it also emerged that McIlroy was forced to change his driver before a ball was hit.

The Grand Slam winner was one of the players who was randomly selected by the USGA to have his equipment checked. Around a third of the field gets tested.

His driver crossed a testing threshold, simply meaning the ball would typically travel further off the tee. Although players are usually unaware of the issue.

Winner Scottie Scheffler and Xander Schauffele were also tested and c riticised how the PGA go about their testing rules.

Rory McIlroy was exposed, says Paul McGinley

The PGA released a statement in the aftermath claiming: “The results are kept confidential to protect players, who are unaware the club has fallen out of conformance.”

However, Ireland’s Ryder Cup winner McGinley claims that is far from the case. He told the Golf Channel: “What his reasons were for not speaking, I don’t know.

“What I will say about the equipment issue—and Scottie Scheffler is correct— the authorities need to take ownership of this and not leave it down to the players to deal with it.

“I think they could have got ahead of the story this week. They tested a third of the players and Scottie has just said that he had an issue with his driver as well.

“Why didn’t they come out and just be transparent and make a nice announcement at the start of the week? Or do something every single week?

“I mean, there’s enough money around the game. Have somebody there every week that checks 156 drivers. It’s not difficult.

“It’s a shame that this kind of stuff is coming in.

“People on social media are coming out and saying ‘How long has it been that kind of driver?’ and, ‘Was it at the Masters, or was it not?’ I mean, this is all speculation that shouldn’t have happened.

“Then the PGA puts out a statement to say, ‘Oh, we’re protecting the players.’ You’re not protecting the players. Quite clearly, you’ve exposed Rory.

“Scottie has admitted that he’s had it as well. But that rumour didn’t come out. Rory’s rumour did come out, and all of a sudden the speculation on social media escalates and it’s out of control.”