Rory McIlroy needed Colin Morikawa intervention after nearly letting golf ball secret out | Golf | Sport

Rory McIlroy had to be ‘shushed’ by rival Colin Morikawa while the pair played alongside each other at this year’s AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am. The Northern Irishman won the event in February following a stunning final round of 66.

That formed part of his preparation for his dramatic victory at the Masters this month. However, he had to endure an awkward moment in California after one sublime chip shot. He played the shot using the TaylorMade TP5X ball and then made a comment that prompted a warning from the American.

The incident was discussed on the Instagram Golf Gear Show podcast by Dan Hendriksen and Joe Highsmith, who clarified McIlroy’s slip of the tongue. “So, he plays a particularly spinny pitch shot,” explained Hendriksen.

“And says, ‘Can’t believe it that’s the retail version’ as well – and Morikawa gave him a little shush up. That got everyone going: ‘What do you mean the retail version. What are we playing with and what are you playing with?’”

Hendriksen explained that TaylorMade had since explained the incident to him, adding: “Rory was referring to his product, which was brought in at TGL because he had switched balls at Pebble, didn’t have enough balls for TGL, so he stopped at a shop to buy them.

“But the tour product he plays is exactly the same version of TGL, but they have a different stamp. Which confuses me a little bit.”

Back in 2017, McIlroy signed a £75million deal with TaylorMade. After switching from Nike, his contract requires him to use the company’s clubs, balls, and golf bags.

His success at Augusta signified his first major title since joining forces with the American company. Morikawa is also contracted to TaylorMade, winning the 2020 PGA Championship and 2021 Open since his deal.