'People Joke About Doing It But I Don't Think Anyone Actually Does' - Collin Morikawa Plays Down Driver Test Dodging

Collin Morikawa doesn't think players on the PGA Tour use a loophole to avoid their drivers being tested - and doesn't think it would be an advantage anyway

Collin Morikawa says dodging driver tests isn't happening
(Image credit: Getty Images)
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Although there's been talk about players exploiting the testing rules for their drivers, Collin Morikawa says he's not aware of anyone trying to cheat the system.

The non-conforming driver saga hit the headlines at the PGA Championship when Rory McIlroy reportedly had to change his big stick after it failed USGA testing, while Scottie Scheffler later confirmed he also had to change clubs due to a failed test.

Matters took a turn when Major champion Lucas Glover told the SiriusXM PGA Tour Radio show that some players kept two drivers in their bags and handed their backups in for testing to try and cheat the system.

The CEO of the USGA, Mike Whan, played down those accusations, saying "I don't think that's a real concern for us".

“I read something where somebody said that people can doctor the system," said Whan.

"But we keep serial numbers of the driver that were given us, and 90 percent of the drivers that were given us in those practice facilities when we test are played on the first tee, and we expect 10 percent of players to be making changes anyway."

And Morikawa is not aware of players gaming the system, saying they hardly get much of an advantage anyway from drivers that are close to or just over the limit.

"I sure hope not," Morikawa said when asked about players evading proper driver checks. "I mean, I'm sure someone has done it.

"People joke about doing it, but I don't think anyone actually does. All our clubs have lifespans on them. We know it.

Rory McIlroy hits a drive

(Image credit: Getty Images)

"So I don't think people do that. I think people joke about it, but I don't think people do it. And if they do, then, I mean, sure. Is it going to help? I don't think it's going to help.

"When these fail, we're on such fine margins that they give us this like green, yellow, red. Like we want our drivers to be in yellow, it's passing, but it's like you want it to be fast, you don't want it to be slow.

"But if it's close to failing or if it's failing and it's close to cracking, I mean, what are you gaining? You're not gaining anything. Guys aren't going to hit it 25 yards further.

"I don't think it's really changing much. It's just you got to have a line somewhere and that's where they have drawn the line."

Paul Higham
Paul Higham
Contributor

Paul Higham is a sports journalist with over 20 years of experience in covering most major sporting events for both Sky Sports and BBC Sport. He is currently freelance and covers the golf majors on the BBC Sport website.  Highlights over the years include covering that epic Monday finish in the Ryder Cup at Celtic Manor and watching Rory McIlroy produce one of the most dominant Major wins at the 2011 US Open at Congressional. He also writes betting previews and still feels strangely proud of backing Danny Willett when he won the Masters in 2016 - Willett also praised his putting stroke during a media event before the Open at Hoylake. Favourite interviews he's conducted have been with McIlroy, Paul McGinley, Thomas Bjorn, Rickie Fowler and the enigma that is Victor Dubuisson. A big fan of watching any golf from any tour, sadly he spends more time writing about golf than playing these days with two young children, and as a big fair weather golfer claims playing in shorts is worth at least five shots. Being from Liverpool he loves the likes of Hoylake, Birkdale and the stretch of tracks along England's Golf Coast, but would say his favourite courses played are Kingsbarns and Portrush. 

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