Rory McIlroy backs 'unpopular' shorter ball proposal

UNPOPULAR OPINION: Rory McIlroy watches his shot fairway shot on the first hole during a practice round for the Dell Technologies Match Play Championship golf tournament in Austin, Texas. Pic: AP Photo/Eric Gay

Rory McIlroy has backed the "unpopular" idea of a shorter ball being used in elite competition and may even use it in PGA Tour events when not required.

Golf's governing bodies said in February 2020 they intended to "break the ever-increasing cycle of hitting distance" and last week announced the proposal of a Model Local Rule (MLR) to give tournaments the option to require the use of balls which will travel around 15 yards less.