QUESTION:
A regular watcher of LPGA events asked about the pace of play guidelines. During the Coates Golf Championship Presented by R+L Carriers the last group was told they were out of position yet by the end of the tournament they finished a full hole and a half behind the group in front of them. At the International Crown last year foursomes were taking over five hours to play a four ball match.
You penalized Morgan Pressel a few years ago for slow play with loss of hole in the finals of the Sybase Match Play Champions. Why did Jang, Choi, and Ko get a break during the first event of the season? Most of the holes were pretty short so it wasn't the difficulty of the course. The men play much faster and on much more difficult courses.
ANSWER:
Pace of play is very important to the growth and enjoyment of the game and the LPGA takes that very seriously. Each year, players are fined and penalized for their contributions to slow play and the habitual offenders are dealt with as well. Because of these efforts, the average time to play a round of golf on the LPGA Tour is going down.
During the final round of the 2015 Coates Golf Championship Presented by R+L Carriers, the last group was warned about their pace of play early on the back 9 and were making up time each hole they played, as is their requirement. When the group reached the 17th hole they were nearly in position with the preceding group until they had many troubles and rulings. There were no fines or penalties levied because they were making up time prior to the events that unfolded on the 17th hole.
Thanks for your question and for being a regular viewer of the LPGA Tour.
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