Bryson DeChambeau was quizzed on the pace of play at this week’s Open Championship, and the LIV Golf man suggested how those in charge can tackle the ongoing problem
Bryson DeChambeau is at The Open(Image: Getty Images)
Bryson DeChambeau has offered a solution as to how pace of play can be improved in professional golf, with the issue rife at this week’s Open Championship.
Slow play has been a prevalent talking point in the sport for some time, and it has become a hot topic at The Open this week, with rounds taking up to six hours across the opening two rounds. With the tournament field cut and players competing in two balls, the pace will improve over the weekend.
Despite this, DeChambeau and his Saturday playing partner, Nathan Kimsey, were informed by a tournament official that they were on the clock on the 17th.
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The pair quickly moved on, before DeChambeau signed for a three-under-par 68, his second-straight round in the 60s after a nightmare 78 on Thursday. “Understand we were struggling with pace the whole day,” the Crushers captain said following his round.
“I was moving my butt as fast as I could. Greens were really tricky. I was trying to read them right. Yeah, we just kept losing time. Unfortunately, on the 16-17 exchange, you’ve got a downhill drivable hole you can play pretty quickly if you get in the right spot.
“They did that, and we just lost more time to the group in front of us, and they put us on the clock, which is unfortunate.”
A whole host of suggestions have been made to help speed up play at the top level, but nothing has yet stuck with those in charge.
DeChambeau offered a solution to the slow pace issue at The Open(Image: Getty Images)
For DeChambeau, the solution is simple: time players individually throughout their rounds. “It’s very simple,” he said when asked how to fix slow play. It’s not difficult at all. You eventually time everybody for their whole entire round. It’s very simple.
“Nobody wants to do it because people are too scared to get exposed, which I am an advocate for.
“I’d love to be timed, and I have no problem with that. My putting, I’m more deliberate, take more time on that, but when it comes to iron shots, off the tee, I’m pretty fast. It’s like D.J., he’s really slow on the putting greens, and then he’s incredibly fast on his full swing shots, second shots into it.
Everybody plays a different style of game, and that’s just the way it is. I wish it were just a new system.”
DeChambeau is not the first major champion to suggest a fix at Royal Portrush, with Sky Sports analyst Dame Laura Davies having her say on the matter, as the LPGA Tour stalwart called on shot penalties to be handed out to those behind pace.
