McIlroy ‘Annoyed’ by Equipment Leak After US PGA

McIlroy Explains Media Silence and Equipment Leak Frustration

Rory McIlroy has voiced his frustration over the leak of his non-conforming driver during the US PGA Championship and defended his decision to skip media duties at the event.

The Masters champion, who is competing in this week’s Canadian Open, said that his silence stemmed from a mix of mental fatigue, poor performance, family priorities, and the controversial leak.

“It was supposed to stay confidential,” McIlroy told reporters.

“I was trying to protect people — Scottie, TaylorMade, the USGA, the PGA of America, and myself.”

The Driver Test Controversy

McIlroy’s driver reportedly failed a pre-tournament legality test performed by the USGA, a process intended to remain private. While Scottie Scheffler also had a similar issue, McIlroy questioned why only his name surfaced in the media.

PGA of America’s Kerry Haigh described such failed tests as “not unusual,” emphasizing they’re typically kept confidential “to protect players.”

Media Duties: “A Two-Way Street”

McIlroy believes professional golfers are within their rights to opt out of media obligations, unless rules change.

“If we all wanted to, we could just go on social media and talk about our round,” he added.

“It’s not ideal, but until it’s made mandatory, skipping media is our right.”

Post-Masters Motivation and Reset

After achieving a lifelong goal of winning the Masters and completing the career Grand Slam, McIlroy admitted finding motivation was harder than expected.

“Sometimes it’s hard to get back on the horse,” he said.

“I’ve used the past two weeks to reset mentally and reassess goals.”

Now ranked world number two, McIlroy returns to the Canadian Open, which he previously won in 2019 and 2022. He tees off at 12:40 BST on Thursday, aiming to build momentum ahead of the US Open, The Open at Portrush, and Ryder Cup later this season.