EXCLUSIVE🛑 XANDER SCHAUFFELE REVEALS SHOCKING TRUTH BEHIND RORY MCILROY’S 2025 PGA CHAMPIONSHIP CONTROVERSY
The 2025 PGA Championship at Quail Hollow Club, which concluded on May 18, has been mired in controversy, and now Xander Schauffele has dropped a bombshell that adds a new layer of intrigue. In an exclusive interview on May 20, 2025, at 05:22 PM +07, Schauffele, who finished T62 at +1 alongside McIlroy, revealed a startling truth about McIlroy’s disqualification for using a non-conforming TaylorMade Qi10 driver—a scandal that has already led to a $49,190 fine for McIlroy’s subsequent conduct toward the PGA and the United States Golf Association (USGA).
McIlroy was disqualified before the final round after the USGA confirmed he used the non-conforming driver in practice sessions, violating Rule 4.1 by gaining an illegal advantage. The incident, which ended McIlroy’s tournament at 1-over-par and T62, drew widespread criticism, with McIlroy himself calling the ruling unfair and claiming the issue stemmed from wear and tear, not intent. However, Schauffele’s revelation challenges the narrative. “Rory knew the driver was on the edge,” Schauffele disclosed. “We all get our clubs tested regularly, and he’d been warned about that Qi10 weeks before. He took a risk, and it backfired.”
Schauffele, who has his own history with equipment controversies—having had a driver deemed non-conforming at the 2019 Open Championship—went further, suggesting McIlroy’s decision was a calculated gamble. “He’s been struggling with consistency off the tee, and Quail Hollow rewards distance. I think he hoped it wouldn’t get flagged.” This bombshell contradicts McIlroy’s public stance and raises questions about his awareness of the equipment’s status, potentially deepening the damage to his reputation.
The golf community is reeling from the revelation. McIlroy, already under scrutiny after a heated exchange with champion Scottie Scheffler—who won at -16 and sent McIlroy a taunting “You need to step up” message—now faces renewed criticism. Fans on social media are divided, with some calling Schauffele’s comments a betrayal of a fellow player, while others demand further investigation into McIlroy’s actions. The USGA has not responded to Schauffele’s claims, but their initial ruling emphasized the importance of integrity in the sport.
As McIlroy prepares for the U.S. Open, this shocking truth from Schauffele may cast a long shadow over his season, despite his recent Masters victory completing the career Grand Slam. The controversy underscores ongoing tensions around equipment testing in golf, leaving fans and analysts questioning what’s next for one of the sport’s biggest stars.
