The PGA Tour is under fire once again for persistent issues with slow play, as a series of delays marred the prestigious $25 million PLAYERS Championship. Golf stars and fans alike have voiced their frustration, demanding immediate action from the authorities.
Rory McIlroy coined the term “An Epidemic” to describe the slow play during the Farmers Insurance Open, a sentiment echoed by broadcaster Dottie Pepper. She argued that a new term, “respect,” should be introduced into the conversation, highlighting its significance for competitors, fans, and broadcasters. The issue reared its ugly head again during the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am, where golfer Tom Kim’s sluggish pace was called out.
The problem escalated during the Waste Management Phoenix Open, which was forced to halt proceedings due to darkness. Fans were quick to point out that the delay was not due to the setting sun, but the snail’s pace of the game. This outcry intensified when the PLAYERS Championship encountered a similar issue, suspending the first round due to darkness. This left players like Max McGreevy and Ryan Gerard unable to complete their opening round, which was slated to resume the next day.
Jay Monahan, PGA Tour Commissioner, addressed the issue during his annual press conference prior to the PLAYERS Championship. He pledged the league’s commitment to speed up the game and announced plans to publish speed-related statistics later in the season. Monahan also mentioned the introduction of rangefinders from the following month to expedite the calculation of distances to the green.
However, fans are not satisfied. They took to social media, expressing their ire at the PGA Tour’s inability to address the issue promptly. They called for implementation of a shot clock, a solution popularized by TGL to counter slow play.
The slow play issue is not exclusive to the PGA Tour. Other golfing bodies like LIV Golf and LPGA have also encountered similar problems. LIV Golf enforces pace with stringent stroke penalties, while LPGA has established a new pace of play committee to implement changes. Their new rules stipulate a penalty for exceeding the 40-second time limit, with more severe punishments for delays exceeding 15 seconds.
The PGA Tour’s inaction has raised eyebrows, with fans questioning why similar measures have not been implemented. Some fear that without immediate action, delays will become a weekly occurrence, tarnishing the reputation of prestigious events like the Valspar Championship and the Texas Children’s Houston Open.
Andy Weitz, the Chief Marketing Officer of the PGA Tour, assured fans that their concerns are being addressed. However, he warned that it will take time for the changes to take effect. Until then, fans and players alike will have to deal with the disruptive effects of slow play, casting a shadow over the prestigious tournaments that lie ahead.
