McIlroy Calls USGA’s Distance Report “Huge Waste of Time & Money”
PGA Tour players are continuing to slam the Distance Insight Report put together by the USGA, as well as, the R&A.
After Webb Simpson took his shot on Tuesday, on Wednesday, it was Rory McIlroy’s turn to fire away after he purposely extended his press conference just so someone could ask him the equipment question.
Here is that exchange:
THE MODERATOR: Rory, glad you’re here. We appreciate your time.
RORY McILROY: No one asked me an equipment question.
THE MODERATOR: Well, we can open back up the mics if you like.
RORY McILROY: Sure. I would be here all day for that.
After a random question about his father, a reporter finally asked the question that McIlroy was waiting for.
“Honestly, I think this distance insight report has been a huge waste of time and money, because that money that it’s cost to do this report could have been way better distributed to getting people into the game, introducing young kids to the game, introducing minorities to the game. I heard Mike Davis say something about we’re trying to protect the game for the next hundred years,” said McIlroy during his pre tournament press conference at the Waste Management Phoenix Open.
McIlroy is considered one of the longer players on Tour and one of the faces of today’s game and has been nominated to run for the Chairman of the Player Advisory Council, which he said would be a huge honor to hold that job.
The USGA has not yet responded to the heavy criticism it has taken over the last several days.
Rory McIlroy’s Comments
“So I think the authorities, the R&A and USGA, are looking at the game through such a tiny little lens, that what they’re trying to do is change something that pertains to 0.1% of the golfing community. 99.9% of the people this play this game play for enjoyment, for entertainment. They don’t need to be told what ball or clubs to use.
We have to make the game as easy and approachable as possible for the majority of golfers. Honestly, I think this distance insight report has been a huge waste of time and money, because that money that it’s cost to do this report could have been way better distributed to getting people into the game, introducing young kids to the game, introducing minorities to the game. I heard Mike Davis say something about we’re trying to protect the game for the next hundred years.
This isn’t how you do it. This is so small and inconsequential compared to the other things happening in the game. It’s the grassroots. It’s getting more people engaged in golf. That’s where they should be spending their money, not spending it on the distance insight report.”