Pace of play became one of the biggest stories of the week at The Annika driven by Gainbridge, as groups were taking over five and a half hours to complete the final round Sunday.
Charley Hull, who finished runner-up and was in the final group made her thoughts about the issue known, saying that she believes that three bad times should result in the loss of a tour card. Now, Hull may have been exaggerating a bit, but the clip picked up steam and went viral. Nelly Korda, Hannah Green, Max Homa and Mel Reid all shared out the clip.
This is far from the first time this season that the pace of play on the LPGA Tour has been criticized. It was a major story at both The Chevron Championship and The Solheim Cup already. But this time, it is seeming to gain more steam, already becoming a big part of the week at the CME Group Tour Championship.
LPGA Comissioner Mollie Marcoux Samaan acknowledged it today and noted they are going to address the issue in the offseason.
“Yeah, I think it’s clearly an issue. I’ve heard that from players. Obviously our staff wants to speed up. I think we’re all in this together” said Samaan. “So we’re going to form a pace of play committee in the off-season that includes all these stakeholders and put our best thinking forward to figure out how we can speed things up for our players’ performance and also for the fans.”
Here is what some of the biggest stars on tour are saying:
Nelly Korda – “To be standing over a putt for two to three minutes, that’s ridiculous. When a group in front of me is on the green and I’m in the fairway, I’m already getting ready. I’m getting my numbers ready, talking about the shot, so by the time it’s my turn, I already have my game plan.
Like I’m all ready — I’m hitting right after the person that just hit in front of me. I think people just need to be — people overanalyze, one, and I think people just need to be ready faster.
People start their process a little too late and they stand over it too long. Again, I think we need more people on the ground to monitor pace of play. I don’t think we have enough people to monitor it.”
Lexi Thompson – “ I definitely think it’s an issue. Rounds shouldn’t be taking more than four and a half hours, especially in threesomes. Four and a half should be the max.
Look, you’re going to hit a good shot or bad shot. Might as well not take that much time over it. It’s just a game. Just do your routine, commit, and hit it.”
Ally Ewing – “You know, it’s always been a topic of conversation since I’ve been on tour. I do think with some players it’s an issue. You have your fast players and we all know who those are.
I don’t have any answers, but it definitely is hard to play with at times, and I’m sure it’s super hard for the rules officials. Every year at the end of the year they’re like, how are we going to make this better?
You know, people are playing for their livelihood so I get it why people take their time. I think there is a line we have to draw.”
Lydia Ko – “I don’t know if that’s more of an issue on our tour versus other tours. I personally don’t have many experiences playing on other tours, but I believe that the rules officials and everybody that sets these guidelines are doing their best to make it fair for everyone.”
