LPGA Stars Call For Change As Slow Play Continues To Plague Women's Golf
LPGA Tour stars have weighed in on the ongoing slow play debate, with several top players expressing concern about the issue's impact on the game.
World No.1 Nelly Korda believes slow play is a "pretty big issue" that negatively affects fan experience. "If it was me personally, I would be very, very annoyed watching for five hours, over five hours, five hours and 40 minutes, close to six. I just think it really drags the game down," said Korda.
Woman in white visor
Rather than supporting Charley Hull's suggestion of revoking tour cards after three bad timings, Korda advocates for increased monitoring by rules officials and quicker pre-shot routines. "People just need to be penalized. Rules officials need to watch from the first group," she explained.
Lexi Thompson agrees that the problem has worsened, stating that rounds shouldn't exceed four and a half hours, especially in threesomes. "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," Thompson commented.
Woman swings golf club
Lydia Ko offers a more nuanced perspective, suggesting that course difficulty and tournament stakes can influence pace of play. While acknowledging the need for improvement, Ko remains skeptical about quick fixes: "I don't know if one strategy or one way is going to instantly make a round 30 minutes faster."
The debate continues as the LPGA Tour seeks effective solutions to address slow play while maintaining competitive integrity and fan engagement.