“Innovation is a part of every sport” – Rory McIlroy takes a major U-turn to back the proposed golf ball rollback

Amid the raging debate, Rory McIlroy has now come out to back the R&A and USGA's proposed golf ball rollback. With this, the star golfer has taken a major U-turn in his earlier stance where he called the project a "huge waste of time and money."

McIlroy recently claimed that he is happy to see the proposal to make the ball shorter in the pro game. Stating that “innovation is a part of every sport,” the four-time Major winner said that he "really likes” the proposal to reduce hitting distances.

Speaking about the proposed golf ball rollback move on the No Laying Up podcast, Rory McIlroy said:

“I was once of the opinion that, you know, they don't try to make Formula 1 cars go slower. Innovation is a part of every sport. It's a part of every industry. But whenever that innovation outgrows the footprint of the game, that's when I think we have a problem.”

He went on to explain his stance on the matter. The PGA Tour star said:

“I’ve been pretty adamant that I don’t really want the governing bodies to touch the recreational golfer because we need to make this game as not intimidating and as much fun as possible, just to try to keep the participation levels at an all-time high.

So, I’m glad in this new proposal that they haven’t touched the recreational golfer. But for elite level play, I really like it. I really do. I know that’s a really unpopular opinion amongst my peers, but I think it’s going to help identify who the best players are a bit easier.”

---

Rory McIlroy claims that the proposed rollback would grow the game

Rory McIlroy went on to state that the proposed changes would shake the sport up for the better. He claimed that the move was “going to help the overall professional game.”

"I think you’re gonna see people with more well-rounded games succeed easier than what the game has become, which is a bit bomb and gouge over these last few years," he added. "Selfishly, I think it helps me. I think this is only gonna help the better player. You know, it might help the longer player too, in some ways. But I think it's going to help the overall professional game.

I think making guys hit some long irons again, and some mid irons, and being able to hit every club in your bag in a round of golf. I can't remember the last time when I've had to do that. I don't know if this change in the ball will make us do that, but it certainly is a step closer to that.”

It is pertinent to note that Rory McIlroy's views on the matter is contrarian to many fellow golfers. Players like Bryson DeChambeau, Jon Rahm and Justin Thomas, among others, had earlier come out to slam the move.

While DeChambeau called the proposed plans "atrocious," Rahm asked why the governing bodies would “change something that is working.”