Scottie Scheffler was left red-faced when Xander Schauffele inadvertently revealed the world number 1’s failed driver test following his PGA Championship victory earlier this month.
Xander Schauffele has apologized to fellow PGA Tour star Scottie Scheffler.(Image: Getty Images)
Twice big winner Xander Schauffele I had to apologize to Scottie Scheffler after accidentally letting slip the results of the world #1’s failed driving test. The Californian golfer later explained that his mistake was because he had been impressed by Scheffler’s performance.
The driving tests were a hot topic in the sport of golf recently, especially after it was revealed that Scheffler and Rory McIlroy both saw their equipment fail checks at the PGA Championship.
Scheffler continued win his third major title at Quail Hollow, despite everything, finishing five strokes ahead of his rivals. It was this impressive feat that led Schauffele to inadvertently share the news with the media.
While the 36-year-old McIlroy appeared to be struggling with his backup driver – a fact already known to the press – Schauffele unwittingly became the source of the revelation about Scheffler’s equipment change.
“I was the one who leaked the information, basically, about Scott,” Schauffele coyly admitted after the PGA Championship. “For me, it was more of a recognition of his quality, you know?
“I didn’t realize, I apologized. I was like, ‘Sorry, man. I wasn’t trying for that to be an issue in your media after you just won another major tournament.’ It was more to say that this guy was just using his replacement and rinsing the field again. »
Schauffele, tied for 28th at Quail Hollow, was visibly impressed with his Ryder Cup teammate. By expressing his admiration, he inadvertently revealed details that are usually kept secret, especially regarding another player.
The American’s feelings of guilt were eased somewhat by Scheffler, who revealed his team anticipated their driver could soon fail if tested.
Thirty drivers are tested each week to ensure they comply with regulations. A more worn club can provide an advantage by providing additional spring at impact.
The testing procedure has come under scrutiny following recent controversies. Scheffler advocates testing the entire field instead of just a random selection of thirty.
“I would test everyone and make sure I got everyone’s serial number with a driver. (It’s) pretty easy,” Scheffler said before the memorial tournament at Muirfield Village.
This sentiment echoes Schauffele’s from 2019, when his driver was among those who failed tests and had to be replaced.
“I would happily abandon my driver if it is non-compliant. But there are still 130 other players on the field who could also have a non-compliant driver,” he said.
“I’ve spoken with (the R&A), and I hope they take my comments seriously and my concerns just because I wasn’t scheduled to show up Monday morning at a major tournament or Tuesday – sorry, it was Tuesday night where I was doing test driving here. That’s not really what the players want to do.
“What’s the right thing to do? Just test the whole area. It’s plain and simple. When I talked to them, they didn’t really know how… you can’t really answer that question. You test everyone, it’s that simple.”
