Lee Trevino says he knows what Rory McIlroy likely heard after his driver failed a compliance test.
He also knows what he would’ve said in response.
Trevino’s comments came via a story written by Rick Broadbent of The Times — which can (and should) be read in full here — and they follow the news that McIlroy’s driver did not pass its compliance test in May at the PGA Championship. Adding to the story was the fact that, though drivers commonly fail such testing, McIlroy declined to talk to reporters over his four rounds at Quail Hollow.
In Broadbent’s story, Trevino said he understood any potential McIlroy frustration over the matter.
“He’s going to the tee,” the six-time major winner said, “these guys are full of Bud, and they’re saying, ‘Rory, is this driver legal?’
“You don’t need that s**t.”
Trevino, though, had a joke for McIlroy to use.
“I’d have said, ‘I’m trying to be No. 1 and if I can get another five or six illegal clubs in this bag, I’m going to try,’” he said.
Also in Broadbent’s story, Trevino compared Scottie Scheffler to Arnold Palmer.
“His dad was looking for a club and I was a member of Royal Oaks,” Trevino said of Scheffler. “The teaching pro there was a good friend of mine, Randy Smith [who’s still Scheffler’s coach]. We advocated coming inside on the ball, and Scottie did it better than anybody because of his right foot shuffling back. That’s why he doesn’t pull many. He’s closer to the ball.
“He always had something. The summers are scorchers here and the kids would wear shorts, but Scottie would always come out in a pair of slacks. He’d say, ‘I’m going to be a pro someday and pros don’t wear shorts.’ The nicest guy. If he’s not another Arnold Palmer, I’ve never seen one. He doesn’t play up like Arnie, he’s more quiet, but nothing bothers him.”
Editor’s note: To read the complete story with Trevino, which includes his thoughts on the Open Championship and the Masters, please click here.
