Report: Titleist make bold claim about Tiger's golf ball during 'chilly' meeting
Several PGA Tour players reportedly pushed back, according to a report.
Titleist reportedly made a big claim about Tiger Woods' 1997 Masters golf ball during a meeting between the USGA, R&A and PGA Tour players before the Memorial.
The two-hour meeting at Muirfield Village was to discuss the proposals to rollback the golf ball.
Per a report by Golf Channel's Todd Lewis, the two governing bodies that proposed the new testing protocols in March got a 'chilly response' from PGA Tour players.
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At the meeting those present were:
- R&A chief executive Martin Slumbers
- USGA CEO Mike Whan
- PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan
- Tour executives and players
- OEM reps
According to the report, Titleist, Callaway and Bridgestone all gave separate presentations.
"The consensus suggested any potential rollback would not be supported by players which would leave the Tour in an awkward position if the rule is adopted," Hoggard reported.
There was also another claim, according to Barstool Sports' Dan Rapaport.
According to Rapaport, Titleist claimed:
The USGA/R&A and the equipment companies presented to PGA Tour Player Advisory Council last night.
Titleist claimed the Professional 90, the ball Tiger used to win the 1997 Masters, would be too hot and fail the new regulations. Governing bodies painted a different picture.— Dan Rapaport (@Daniel_Rapaport) May 31, 2023
Titleist claimed the Professional 90, the ball Tiger used to win the 1997 Masters, would be too hot and fail the new regulations. Governing bodies painted a different picture.
A number of PGA Tour stars have been critical of the idea.
The first to let loose was Justin Thomas. Sam Burns later described it as 'silly' whereas Patrick Cantlay described bifurcation as 'bad for the game'.
Listen to JT’s three-minute thoughts on the new golf ball rollback plans. pic.twitter.com/DEzgfHRens
— Golf Digest (@GolfDigest) March 15, 2023
One of the highest profile players not against the idea was Rory McIlroy.
Does the golf ball really need rolling back at Tour level?
— GolfMagic (@GolfMagic) March 14, 2023
McIlroy pointed to a conversation he had with the chairman of the All England Lawn and Tennis Club.
"We were just talking about a few things and he said, 'Rory, back in the early 2000s, when men's tennis was predominantly serve and volley, it wasn't very good for the entertainment aspect of the game," McIlroy previously told No Laying Up.
Currently, it remains unclear what the PGA Tour would do if the MLR was adopted and two majors - the U.S. Open and The Open - would be played with the rolled-back ball.
"Ultimately, the players will end up deciding whether they want to mess around for two weeks with another ball," Players Advisory Council chairman Adam Scott later told Golf Channel.
"I really believe there's a lot at stake here."
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