• European Tour

McIlroy sure anchoring ban will be good for golf

Rory McIlroy believes the banning of anchored putting strokes will be "good for golf".

On Monday the R&A and USGA confirmed that anchored putting strokes - utilised by recent major champions including Keegan Bradley, Webb Simpson and Adam Scott - will be outlawed from 2016.

The PGA Tour have yet to decide whether they will fall in line with the game's two ruling bodies but, even if that reticence evolves into something of a stand-off, world No. 2 McIlroy believes the decision is the right one for the future of the game.

"I agree with the people who feel all 14 clubs in the bag should be swung," McIlroy said. "I think in the long-term it will be good for golf.

"I know there are questions about it and some people aren't going to be too happy about it - but in the scheme of things I think it is going to be a good thing."

The USGA and R&A are in agreement that the new rule will better preserve golf's traditions, despite the counter-arguments of those who believe the anchored stroke should continue to be permitted.

"Having considered all of the input that we received, both before and after the proposed Rule was announced, our best judgment is that Rule 14-1b is necessary to preserve one of the important traditions and challenges of the game - that the player freely swing the entire club," USGA president Glen Nager said.

"The new rule upholds the essential nature of the traditional method of stroke and eliminates the possible advantage that anchoring provides, ensuring that players of all skill levels face the same challenge inherent in the game of golf."

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