BRYSON DECHAMBEAU INSISTS he is trying to improve the pace of his play and is determined to be “part of the solution” after criticism at the Northern Trust.
Numerous clips shared on social media last week showed DeChambeau taking several minutes to line up shots in New Jersey, with playing partners Justin Thomas and Tommy Fleetwood apparently disinterested.
The video footage prompted outrage from many fans and fellow professionals, with Eddie Pepperell calling DeChambeau a “single-minded twit” – comments he would later apologise for.
DeChambeau initially stated such criticism was unfair and suggested the caddies were largely to blame for the pace of the game.
But the 25-year-old was more apologetic as he posted on Instagram and insisted: “I will do my very best to improve my pace.
“Slow play affects the quality of the game for both players and our fans and I’ve always had the utmost respect for my playing partners, including JT and Tommy,” he wrote.
“I’m constantly trying to improve and I will do my very best to improve my pace. Golf is my passion and livelihood. It’s my responsibility to help improve the game to be more enjoyable for all.
“Pace of play has been an issue for golf at all levels for a long time, and I’m committed to being a part of the solution, not the problem.
“I want to be a good representative of the game and the @PGATour and I looking forward to working with the TOUR and fellow players to find a solution to slow play.”
Following last week’s tournament, the PGA Tour confirmed it would review its pace-of-play guidelines.
- Omni
Shot clock, warning on first offence, then stroke penalties on repeat offenders and serial offenders get a percentage deduction on prize money.
Sent out first an hour before the first grouping ON HIS OWN and monitored. 2 nd round the same..make the cut..the same for 3 Tournaments…see how he enjoys his golf then…he’ll soon realize that golf is about sharing with your partner(s) and the craic that he’ll miss. There is a way to tackle this and ISOLATE the problem…
@Desmond Cassidy: Their is a way to tackle is but this is most definitely not it
I think it would be better if they put a time limit on a round. E.g 4hrs 30mins and anything over is 1 shot penalty, 5hrs + = 2 shot penalty. Removes a shot clock and allows them to choose how to reduce there time, so if they want more time for shots make it up else where. Removes the need to clock everyone for every shot.
@Sean Murphy: what happens if you have a fast player (or two) paired with a slow player (or two)? You seem to be suggesting penalizing the fast player.
@Joey Navinski: Don’t get you? I’m saying they should put max time on each group from their allocated tee time to a reasonable pace, which on tour for a 3 ball is no more than 4hrs 30mins I would say. So then it’s between the group to keep up to pace? If they know they will be penalised a stroke if they go over time surely it will make them play or move quicker!
@Sean Murphy: i get what you’re saying but I don’t think it’s fair to ask fast players to police slow players, especially when most groups on any given day will have no slow players so those groups would not have that extra responsibility.
Your proposal puts unnecessary pressure/responsibility on ONLY the fast players who are paired with slow players.
Lads,
Here is a simple way to start… Just have a clock on the worst shots and have a leaderboard (wall of shame). Then run a league of sham during the year…
Have award at the end of the week and end year… Then when TV shows him next week or for the next year have a turtle/guy sleeping appear in the corner.
Seems a bit more fun and might work…