Report: Rory McIlroy battles at Quail Hollow after USGA deems driver ineligible

Rory McIlroy has reportedly switched drivers at the PGA Championship after the one he used to win the Masters was ruled non-conforming by the USGA earlier this week.

According to SiriusXM PGA Tour Radio, the decision came after routine testing, which found the driver no longer met regulations. 

Since then, McIlroy has been notably absent from media obligations, skipping press sessions after a disappointing 3-over 74 on Thursday and again following a 2-under 69 on Friday that helped him make the cut at Quail Hollow.

The switch appears to have affected his play off the tee; he hit just four fairways in the first round and six in the second.

The specific reason for the driver's non-conformance remains unclear. Equipment can fail inspection due to wear, damage, or slight variances in testing conditions. It's not uncommon for clubs to pass manufacturer tests but fail later USGA checks.

McIlroy's silence has only fueled speculation, especially in light of his recent Masters win that completed his career Grand Slam. Fellow pro Johnson Wagner offered additional context in an interview with SiriusXM, suggesting there's more to the story still to be uncovered.

"This is something that happens week to week on the PGA Tour," Wagner said. "It's unfortunate that it happened the week of a major... He did nothing wrong."

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