Xander Schauffele makes remarkable Scottie Scheffler claim at PGA Championship: "See, you guys don't even know"

Xander Schauffele appeared to suggest Scottie Scheffler's driver at the 2025 PGA Championship was also deemed non-conforming. 

Masters champ Rory McIlroy hit the headlines on Thursday when it was revealed the Northern Irishman was forced into a late driver switch. 

Golf's rule makers reportedly told McIlroy, 36, that his TaylorMade Qi10 driver had failed a CT (characteristic time) test on Tuesday. 

CT tests determine if a driver's face is too springy. 

McIlroy has not spoken about the topic and stormed out of Quail Hollow Club on Sunday for the fourth day in a row without speaking to the media.

Schauffele appeared to insinuate in comments to Golfweek that McIlroy wasn't alone in making an equipment change before the second major of 2025.

"I think Scott is winning the tournament and I think he switched to his backup too," Schauffele said after carding a 3-under 68 on Sunday. 

One golf reporter pressed Schauffele to clarify on what he meant. 

"See, you don't even know because he's so good," the two-time major champ replied. 

"We can deal with it because the [equipment] reps are so good now."

Why is this important?

McIlroy was told on Tuesday morning the driver he planned to use was deemed non-conforming by the United States Golf Association (USGA).

The USGA were asked by the PGA of America to conduct random driver testing this week.

An American radio station confirmed the news as McIlroy was putting the finishing touches on his first round in which he only hit four out of a possible 14 fairways with his driver.

McIlroy did not speak to reporters after round one though it was more than likely that he was just ticked with his display. 

He was tipped for glory this week given he clinched the career grand slam at last month's Masters.

Players' clubs are selected at random for inspection and it is understood the USGA tested 30 per cent of the field this week. 

Golfers are typically not aware if there is an issue with their driver and results are usually kept confidential. 

Players who use non-conforming clubs face disqualification.

It is still unclear if McIlroy used the same driver when completing the career grand slam last month. 

McIlroy's team have so far declined to comment on the situation. 

The PGA of America, which runs the second men's major of the year, initially took the same approach. 

But on Saturday afternoon the PGA Championship's chief championships officer, Kerry Haigh, shed some light on the situation.

Xander Schauffele wants all drivers tested

Schauffele also told Golfweek it makes little sense for the integrity of the game not to test every driver. 

The American ran into the same issue at the 2019 Open and was forced to find a replacement at the last minute.

"That p----- me off," he told the publication. 

"It's not right to just test 50 guys. It just doesn't make sense if you're in it for the spirit [of the game]. 

"The whole point of it is to protect the integrity of the field. If you don't test everyone across the board I don't think you're protecting the whole field.

"Do it to everybody, not just a third of the guys and if a player has a hot driver they’re still playing the tournament. Just my take."