At the 2025 PGA Championship, Rory McIlroy’s concentration was rattled after his driver failed the official testing process. The moment sparked a renewed debate over golf’s mid-tournament equipment checks, with critics arguing that such rules disrupt players’ preparation and mental focus during major events.

Patrick Reed , the 2018 Masters champion, has joined this conversation. He supported equipment testing in principle, but admitted it often creates chaos. Reed’s remarks mirrored McIlroy’s frustrations, underscoring how even well-meaning rules can unsettle players when the stakes are highest.

Reed outlined his position during an appearance on the Beyond the Clubhouse podcast with Garrett Johnston. When asked about ongoing driver testing at majors, Reed said: “Yeah, no, I th

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