Paige Spiranac believes the PGA Tour has to handle the difficulty of gradual play that will not appear to go away.
The newest instance befell on the remaining spherical of the Farmers Insurance coverage Open. Harris English got here out on prime in the long run, however not till he and his group took 5 hours and 29 minutes to finish the ultimate 18 holes.
The gradual play wasn’t misplaced on CBS reporter Dottie Pepper, who acknowledged that the tempo of play has “simply gotta be higher” because it does not assist rivals, followers or broadcasters. Her ideas had been shared by many within the golf neighborhood, together with Paige Spiranac.
Spiranac cannot look previous gradual play
Paige has by no means been shy to defend the PGA Tour when wanted. She just lately acknowledged that “skilled golf will at all times be king”, including how key it’s for media personalities and professional golf to work collectively to achieve extra audiences.
Nevertheless, like many others, gradual play is one factor that Spiranac cannot look previous. She believes that the extreme time it takes to finish rounds solely hurts the game, because it does little to draw new viewers.
“Nobody is blind to the actual fact professional golf is at the moment struggling to seize audiences. They should pace up tempo of play, get recent expertise included into the broadcasts, introduce the viewers to the rookies, much less commercials, and most significantly have the most effective gamers on this planet on one tour”, she wrote on X.
The very fact gradual play is not simply a difficulty on the PGA Tour exhibits simply how huge of an issue it’s for golf. LPGA Tour Charley Hull just lately urged there must be a penalty system for many who take too lengthy on the course.
“I am fairly ruthless, however I mentioned, ‘Pay attention, if you happen to get three dangerous timings, each time it is a two-shot penalty. In case you have three of them [penalties], you lose your [LPGA] Tour card immediately,” Hull mentioned.
Her sentiments had been shared by Nelly Korda, who mentioned: “I personally assume it is a fairly large subject… I believe it isn’t good for the followers that come out and watch us.”
