Rory backs ball to cut distances

RORY McIlroy has backed the “unpopular” idea of a new ball aimed at reducing hitting length being used in elite competition and may even use it in PGA Tour events when not required.

- PHIL CASEY

Golf’s governing bodies said in February 2020 they intended to “break the ever-increasing cycle of hitting distance” and last week announced the proposal of a Model Local Rule (MLR) to give tournaments the option to require the use of balls which will travel around 15 yards less.

R&A chief executive Martin Slumbers and USGA counterpart Mike Whan confirmed the MLR would apply in their own elite events, most notably the Open Championship and US Open, respectively.

The PGA Tour did not immediately back the proposal and it was strongly criticised by top equipment manufacturing company Acushnet and former world number one Justin Thomas, who plays their market-leading Titleist balls.