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Cam Smith joins Bryson DeChambeau in naming Rory McIlroy as golf’s best driver off the tee

Originally posted on HITC | By Jordan Harris | Last updated Aug 21, 2025 1:11 PM ET

Bryson DeChambeau and Rory McIlroy are often the first names that come to mind when discussing the best drivers in golf today.

McIlroy’s driving has always stood out. He’s been one of the game’s biggest hitters for most of his career, thanks in large part to his athleticism.

He’s finished outside the top two for longest drivers just once over the past nine seasons. But Bryson DeChambeau has changed how power is viewed in recent years, pushing more players to focus on adding speed.

Bryson DeChambeau backs Rory McIlroy as greatest driver

DeChambeau himself is full of praise for Rory. When asked about who he sees as the best driver over the past 15 years, he didn’t hesitate:

“Oh man! Over a long period of time? It’s got to be Rory (McIlroy) still.”

Cameron Champ, who led the tour in driving distance three times between 2019 and 2021, might not have reached their level overall. But there were stretches when he was just as powerful off the tee.

Cam Smith backs Rory McIlroy as the best driver in golf

With Cam Smith now playing alongside DeChambeau on LIV, you might think he’d lean toward the Crushers captain. But his view is quite different.

Speaking on The Colin Cowherd Podcast, the Australian went a different route, backing McIlroy as not only the best driver in today’s game but also suggesting no one will ever top him.

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“Rory is the most impressive driver of the golf ball I have ever seen. I don’t think anyone could ever be better than him off the tee,” he said.

“He just does all the right stuff, hits it in the right places. He can be very dominant when he is on, I feel like he is very, very tough to beat.”

Cam Smith backs Rory McIlroy over Bryson DeChambeau

While Cam Smith plays alongside DeChambeau in LIV Golf, you might think he’d naturally favour the Crushers captain as the top driver. But during an appearance on The Colin Cowherd Podcast, Smith said he’d go with McIlroy and doesn’t see that opinion changing anytime soon.

Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images

“Rory is the most impressive driver of the golf ball I have ever seen. I don’t think anyone could ever be better than him off the tee,” he said.

“He just does all the right stuff, hits it in the right places. He can be very dominant when he is on, I feel like he is very, very tough to beat.”

A look at Rory McIlroy’s driving stats on tour

This season, only Aldrich Potgieter has outdriven McIlroy. In terms of strokes gained off the tee, McIlroy sits third behind Scottie Scheffler and Rico Hoey.

But what really stands out about McIlroy is his consistency. He’s missed just one major since the start of the 2009 season and has remained one of golf’s longest hitters throughout that stretch.

Cameron Smith certainly seems to believe so. There are always going to be people who will never look past Tiger Woods as being a better driver than anyone who plays after him.

This article first appeared on HITC and was syndicated with permission.

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