Rory McIlroy’s ‘weak’ rollback argument questioned… by his own coach!

If there were questions being asked of the landmark golf ball rollback, they weren’t coming from Rory McIlroy.

On Tuesday, the Northern Irishman defended the new rule change set out by the R&A and the USGA that is set to affect golfers from 2028.

McIlroy, one of only a few top pros to publicly defend the golf ball rollback, posted: “It will make no difference whatsoever to the average golfer and puts golf back on a path of sustainability.

“It will also help bring back certain skills in the pro game that have been eradicated over the past 2 decades.”

The four-time major champ went on to argue that the blame should instead lie with those who are against bifurcation.

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He said: “Elite pros and ball manufacturers think bifurcation would negatively affect their bottom lines when, in reality, the game is already bifurcated. You think we play the same stuff you do?

“They put pressure on the governing bodies to roll it back to a lesser degree for everyone. Bifurcation was the logical answer for everyone but, yet again in this game, money talks.”

While a handful of pros and recreational golfers agreed with McIlroy, there is one man who has notably taken issue with his argument.

Look no further than the 34-year-old’s own putting coach, Brad Faxon. The eight-time PGA Tour winner labelled McIlroy’s bifurcation line ‘weak’.

Speaking on his SiriusXM radio show, Faxon said: “That is a pretty weak argument in my opinion.

“Because he might say the higher handicappers play from a shorter tee or that the club’s that the pros get to use are that much different, I don’t think they are that much different.

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“There aren’t balls the pros are using that are not at the counter at your pro shop.”

According to McIlroy, the governing bodies presented the option of bifurcation earlier this year.

Instead, they have now introduced a change that will see a reduction of up to 15 yards in driving distance for players at the elite level.

Meanwhile it is expected to impact recreational golfers by five yards or less.

John Turnbull A graduate of the University of Stirling, John joined the bunkered team in 2023 as a Content Producer, with a responsibility for covering all breaking news, tour news, grassroots content and much more besides. A keen golfer, he plays the majority of his golf at Falkirk Golf Club. Top of his 'bucket list' is a round of Pebble Beach... ideally in the company of Gareth Bale.