Rory McIlroy has welcomed the sweeping changes that have been implemented to the rules of golf and hopes that the new rules will bring a greater clarity within the sport. 

Golf this week introduced a series of widespread changes to the rules that all golfers must follow, in an attempt to modernise and improve several elements of the sport.

Some of the more significant and controversial changes, include a new rule allowing the flagstick to remain in place whilst a putt is being taken, as well as changes to the height a drop can take place from - moving from shoulder height previously, to knee height now. 

Despite the changes being met with varied reception amongst golf fans around the world, many were keen to hear what the sports biggest names thought of the changes. 

Now, speaking to Sky Sports on how he thinks the new rules could change the game, four-time major champion and former world number one Rory McIlroy has claimed the alterations could help to improve the game.

"It might help pace of play a little bit. I think it's going to be very strange for guys to tap down spike marks and to tap in with the pin still in. There's going to be a few things that are strange, like practising your drops from you knees".

These changes to the rules regarding drops have been amongst the most talked about so far, with many fans quick to point out the discrepancy in height between many of the sport's elite - and how this could affect this new scenario.

"We're saying that Brian Harman [5ft 7in] has got a big advantage because he can basically place it! But you've also got someone like Tony Finau [6ft 4in] who is dropping it probably from like waist high for me.

"But I think that they're trying to simplify the rules which I think is a great thing for the game. I've always said that the rules of golf are way too complicated, especially after the debacles and farces we have had at US Opens an all sorts of stuff over the last few years. 

"So I'm happy that they made the decision to try and simplify them, and just try and make everything a little bit easier to understand."