PGA Tour pros have been divided since the golf ball rollback was first proposed in 2021. While some, like Rory McIlroy, called it necessary, others, like Justin Thomas, who averages 307.1 yards, have been relentless in their criticism. Even the PGA Tour rejected the initial proposal floated by the USGA and the R&A, but later softened its stance. That has done little to assuage the players, as evidenced by Thomas and Jordan Spieth‘s recent comments.

“I feel a majority of guys out here are under the same opinion I am that there isn’t a problem with the golf ball,” Thomas told Adam Schupak of Golfweek from Quail Hollow, where he is teeing off at the 2026 Truist Championship. He added, “So, if that’s the case, I don’t know why we’d let a group of amateur golfers decide how we play the game.”

This isn’t the first time he voiced discontent against amateurs shaping the rules of ball rollback. In 2023, Thomas questioned why a certain group of “5- to-15-handicapped amateurs” is determining the rules of professional golf. It should be noted that the USGA and R&A’s guidelines are followed by pros, amateurs, and recreational golfers alike. Perhaps that’s why Spieth, who averages 308.4 yards off the tee, has a more nuanced stance than his friend Thomas.

“They should be finding a way for it to be the same for everybody. Some players will be affected by two yards, and others by 20. I hit Titleist (rollback) prototypes one time straight into the wind, and I hit a couple that were the same ball speed but hit a little different on the face, and the difference in carry was crazy. The dispersion was massive.”

Spieth’s argument isn’t necessarily against the policy but its implementation. Per the USGA, a long hitter will see a reduction of 15 yards, whereas a short hitter will see a reduction of 11 yards. But in reality, long hitters like Rory McIlroy can still manage to cover a huge distance, carrying over 300 yards in most cases. But others will be stuck with hitting it shorter than they already do. Brian Harman, who averages 293 yards, also echoed Spieth’s concern.

“I don’t disagree that there is perhaps a problem, but the solution that they’ve come up with is not it,” said the former Open Champion. On the other hand, Maverick McNealy has called the proposal half-baked, saying it would complicate the game further. Of note is the fact that Harman, Spieth, and Thomas are members of the PGA Tour Player Advisory Council, and McNealy is a Player Director. But why are all of them opposing the proposal so staunchly?

The golf governing bodies believe that with the integration of technology and advancement in golf, the driving distance has been increasing every year. Stats back it up. At the start of the century, the average driving distance on the PGA Tour was 273 yards. 26 years later?

PGA Tour pros have averaged a whopping 302.9 yards this year. It has forced the course architects to lengthen the layout to retain competition. The governing bodies argue that it has reached a tipping point, and golf ball rollback is the only solution. JT, however, disagrees.

The two-time major winner believes that while equipment advancement has helped, pros have equally worked hard to gain distance. Indeed, speed training is part of every golfer’s regimen now. Thomas claims rollback would nullify all the hard work, and he has dubbed the USGA selfish for this reason.

Back in 2023, when speaking to Joel Beall of Golf Digest, Justin Thomas said, “I think the USGA over the years has—in my eyes, it’s harsh, but made some pretty selfish decisions. They definitely, in my mind, have done a lot of things that aren’t for the betterment of the game, although they claim it.” But golf governing bodies, if anything, have shown they are more than ready to fight tooth and nail for it.

Recently, Fred Ridley, 1975 U.S. Amateur champion and the current chairman of Augusta National, clearly stated that “failure isn’t an option” in this matter. Mark Darbon, the R&A CEO, also shared a similar sentiment while speaking at the Open Championship media day last month. And curiously enough, they have found support from an unlikely person: Rory McIlroy.

Why is Rory McIlroy not on the same wavelength as Jordan Spieth and Justin Thomas?

As mentioned, the Ulsterman’s ability with the driver might nullify the effect of ball rollback on him. But before you pass the verdict, hear him out.

“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. 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,” the six-time major winner told No Laying Up in 2023.

McIlroy might still be able to easily outdrive the field. And that includes Jordan Spieth and Justin Thomas. He admits as much. But the Northern Irishman also believes pros will use different kinds of clubs more frequently, like a long-iron or a mid-iron, which has become rare.

McIlroy said that golf’s ball rollback was similar to how they made tennis more challenging. They “slowed the ball down” and made the grass “a little stickier.” The 30-time PGA Tour winner understands the counterargument, too, that F1 doesn’t make the cars go slower. But his point is the same as that of the USGA chief.

“Whenever that innovation outgrows the footprint of the game, that’s when I think we have a problem,” Rory said.

So there is a gap between McIlroy and Justin Thomas. One believes the equipment advancement has reached a tipping point. While the other doesn’t see an issue with players shooting lower scores and taming the courses easily.

Amid all this, the PGA Tour is stuck in a tough spot. If Brian Rolapp chooses to side with governing bodies in this rift, he risks alienating a large section of players. Considering the tough job he has at hand with the current LIV Golf situation, he might not take that risk.

On the flip side, siding with his players might sour the relationship the PGA Tour has with the governing bodies. They can still go ahead with the rollback policy, compelling Tour pros to play a different ball in respective majors. It remains to be seen how Brian Rolapp approaches the delicate issue.