Scottie Scheffler Reveals His Driver Failed USGA Test Ahead Of PGA Championship
The World No.1 used his back-up model to win the PGA Championship after revealing his gamer failed a USGA test this week


Scottie Scheffler revealed that his driver failed a USGA test ahead of the PGA Championship, while he gave strong views on why he believes driver testing on tour needs to be improved.
Driver testing was a big topic of conversation during the week at Quail Hollow after a report emerged that Rory McIlroy had been forced to change his driver. The PGA of America issued a statement confirming it had asked the USGA to test around 1/3 of the field's clubs but stated that results would remain confidential.
It has now emerged that Scheffler's driver was one of those that failed, as revealed by the World No.1 in his winner's press conference on Sunday evening.
"So the driver testing is something that regularly happens on Tour. My driver did fail me this week. We had a feeling that it was going to be coming because I've used that driver for over a year," he said of his TaylorMade Qi10.
"I was kind of fortunate for it to last that long, I felt like. I would argue that if we're going to test the drivers, we need to be even more robust in the way we test them.
"That was a conversation I had with one of the rules officials; if it's something we're going to take seriously, I feel like we're almost going halfway with it right now.
"If we're going to test only a third of the field. If we're going to do it right, leave it up to us as players, like the rest of the rules in the game of golf are.
Get the Golf Monthly Newsletter
Subscribe to the Golf Monthly newsletter to stay up to date with all the latest tour news, equipment news, reviews, head-to-heads and buyer’s guides from our team of experienced experts.
"It's a newer rule that we haven't quite gotten right yet. I think we have some stuff to figure out. I think, if we're going to do it, we might as well do it right, get more robust and get even more strict.
"You can test guys every week, if you want. I mean, there's no reason why we shouldn't."
Scheffler won his third Major title by five strokes
While Scheffler didn't reveal what his driver failed for, it is thought to be due to CT (Characteristic Time), which measures the spring-like effect of the face. This happens due to driver creeping, where the face material compresses after thousands of shots, making it quicker off the face and non-conforming despite being legal when a player first used it.
Scheffler's words echo those of Xander Schauffele, who discussed driver testing with reporters and had very similar views.
“I think they should test everyone’s driver,” the World No.3 told Golfweek.
“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."
Despite his gamer driver needing to be replaced, Scheffler said he was very prepared after a recent fitting with TaylorMade club Adrian Rietveld.
"The driver for me is actually really easy. Like I said, we were prepared for it," the World No.1 said.
The World No.1 ranked 5th in SG: Off the tee for the week at Quail Hollow
"I had used my driver for over a year. With the amount of practice that I do, I felt like I was fortunate for it to last that long.
"The team at TaylorMade, Adrian [Rietveld], did a really good job - actually the week of the Byron [CJ Cup Byron Nelson, which he won], we were really focused on getting it back up for that tournament and this one.
"Adrian, he did a great job getting me fit for a head. Like I said, we were really prepared. So it wasn't that big of a deal."
Scheffler ranked 5th in Strokes Gained: Off the tee during the PGA Championship with 1.209 and also topped the SG: Tee to green statistic with 3.567.
He tees it up this week at Colonial Country Club in the Charles Schwab Challenge.

Elliott Heath is our News Editor and has been with Golf Monthly since early 2016 after graduating with a degree in Sports Journalism. He manages the Golf Monthly news team as well as our large Facebook, X and Instagram pages. He covered the 2022 and 2025 Masters from Augusta National and was there by the 18th green to watch Rory McIlroy complete the career grand slam. He has also covered five Open Championships on-site including the 150th at St Andrews. His first Open was in 2017 at Royal Birkdale, when he walked inside the ropes with Jordan Spieth during the Texan's memorable Claret Jug triumph. He has played 35 of our Top 100 golf courses, with his favourites being both Sunningdales, Woodhall Spa, Western Gailes, Old Head and Turnberry. He has been obsessed with the sport since the age of 8 and currently plays off of a six handicap. His golfing highlights are making albatross on the 9th hole on the Hotchkin Course at Woodhall Spa, shooting an under-par round, playing in the Aramco Team Series on the Ladies European Tour and making his one and only hole-in-one at the age of 15 - a long time ago now!
Elliott is currently playing:
Driver: Titleist TSR4
3 wood: Titleist TSi2
Hybrids: Titleist 816 H1
Irons: Mizuno MP5 5-PW
Wedges: Cleveland RTX ZipCore 50, 54, 58
Putter: Odyssey White Hot OG #5
You must confirm your public display name before commenting
Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name.
-
Fourteen FRZ Wedge Review
-
‘From The First Weekend In April Until About Last Week, You Didn’t Want To Be Around Me. It Drove Me Nuts. It Ate At Me. I Haven’t Been Happy. It’s Been Very Irritating’ – Brooks Koepka Opens Up On Recent Major Struggles
Brooks Koepka opened up on the frustrations of some poor recent Major performances after bouncing back in the first round of the US Open
-
Bryson DeChambeau's New Irons: LIV Golf Star Explains Fascinating Intricacies Of New LA Golf Clubs
The LIV star has taken gear effect to a whole new level in his new irons, as he told media ahead of the 2025 US Open
-
Collin Morikawa Thought His 9-Wood Was 'Like Cheating'... Until He Faced The Oakmont Rough
The two-time Major winner admitted that some lies are unplayable from the brutal Oakmont rough, even with his trusty 9-wood
-
Rory McIlroy Changes Driver Again Ahead Of US Open
After claiming he would be doing some driver testing following the RBC Canadian Open last week, McIlroy was spotted using his faithful TaylorMade Qi10 driver during a practice round at Oakmont
-
'The Rough Is Ankle-Deep, You're Lucky To See Your Shoes Let Alone Your Golf Ball' - Wayne Riley's US Open Picks And Insight Into What It Takes To Win At Oakmont
Wayne Riley is expecting another big week from the World No.1 - but he also has a few interesting fancies at much bigger prices
-
How Much Prize Money Has Scottie Scheffler Won In 2025?
The World No.1 has added to his Major championship haul and won twice more on the PGA Tour as well - but how much prize money has he collected this year?
-
Joaquin Niemann Leapfrogs Scottie Scheffler And Rory McIlroy As Golf's Top Earner In 2025 After LIV Golf Virginia Victory
The Chilean's fourth win of the year secured another $4 million and consequently catapulted Niemann to the top of the on-course earnings across all tours
-
Bryson DeChambeau Puts New LA Golf Irons In The Bag As He Shares LIV Golf Virginia Lead
The US Open champion is debuting a set of LA Golf BAD V3-W custom irons at LIV Golf Virginia, which DeChambeau put to good use as he shared the lead following the first round
-
Rory McIlroy Makes Key Gear Changes Ahead Of RBC Canadian Open (And US Open)
The World No.2 has a new driver, 3-wood and 3-iron in the bag this week in Canada