1 week Ago By Oliver Browning
Pace of play is set to come under scrutiny at The Masters this week.Slow play has been one of the hottest topics during this PGA Tour season and has long been a bugbear for fans, with many pointing to AimPoint, a slope-measuring putting routine, as a pace killer.Pace of play has been under the spotlight ahead of The MastersGettyIt even seeped into last weekend’s Drive, Chip and Putt competition at Augusta National, when one of the young participants used the controversial green-reading method in a prolonged pre-shot routine.
That caught the attention of Masters chairman Fred Ridley, who made a point of calling out the glacial pace of play at the professional level during his opening statement.“Because of the size of our field this year and also because of the commentary in recent weeks, the subject of pace of play is top of mind,” Ridley said.“Playing without undue delay, as the rules and the game’s traditions dictate, is an essential skill of golf at all levels.
“Recognizing the challenges professionals face each week, I also believe pace of play is an important element of the examination of the world’s best players.“Golf is a special game because it requires us to be considerate while also being competitive.“Respecting other people’s time, including, importantly, the fans who support the game, is a fundamental courtesy.
“Therefore, I want to encourage continued dialogue on this topic, especially at the professional levels which serve as the most visible representation of our sport.”So far this season, fans have seen numerous examples of players on the PGA Tour taking well over their allotted time to take their turn.Despite the issue, the Tour hasn’t handed out a slow-play penalty in a stroke-play event since 1995.
Masters chairman Ridley has backed calls for tougher sanctions on slow playGettyThe PGA Tour hasn’t handed out a slow-play penalty in a stroke-play event since 1995GettyIn fact, only one Masters participant in recent memory has received a one-shot penalty — 14-year-old Guan Tianlang at the 2013 tournament.But after last Sunday’s junior Drive, Chip and Putt contest, Ridley has grown concerned not only about fan apathy, but also about the example that players are setting for the next generation.He said: “I think that example really illustrates the problem, and unfortunately, these young people are looking to their heroes who play the game each week for a living as to how they’re going to approach competitively playing the game.
“This might be a call to action that perhaps we haven’t seen in the past. I’ve spoken about it a number of times. We will be dealing with that issue this week.
“I think it’s safe to assume that next year at the Drive, Chip and Putt you will see some sort of time limitations placed on the competition.”This year’s Masters features 95 players, with twosome Davis Riley and Patton Kizzire teeing off first on Thursday, April 10.The Masters field is strong this year, with 95 players competingGettyRead more on The MastersAll you need to know about 2025 Masters including talkSPORT coverageMasters tee times, groupings and schedule confirmed at AugustaIconic green ‘completely destroyed’ as drama awaits at Masters’ toughest hole – hole-by-hole guide to Augusta NationalExclusive: ‘Augusta is a mind game’ – Nick Faldo picks his 2025 Masters favourite and ‘puts tenner’ on 75-to-1 dark horse winnerExclusive: ‘Stars have aligned’ for generational talent Rory McIlroy to break Masters duck and complete career Grand SlamExclusive: Lee Westwood names two LIV Golf players who can shock everyone at the MastersRory McIlroy was summoned by Augusta National officials to discuss rule violation and possible Masters disqualificationNico Echavarria immediately hit with Masters curse in tournament no golfer wants to winCheck out talkSPORT BET for the latest odds and bet boosts – welcome offer – Get £20 in free bets*Get 50/1 Rory McIlroy to make at least one birdie on Thursday or 50/1 Rory to make the cutTo watch the Masters 2025, sign up to a Sky Sports subscription or read our guide to the best sky sports deals available now (if you click this link and make a purchase we will earn affiliate revenue)Ridley hopes that that two-ball could ‘put a little more pressure’ on the following groups to keep pace.
Defending champion Scottie Scheffler has been grouped with Justin Thomas and amateur Jose Luis Ballester to begin his tournament soon after.Ahead of play, Ridley has also said he is happy that the PGA Tour are ‘experimenting’ with some new timing procedures this season.“I’m not going to tell you that I’m going to be happy with the results,” he continued.
“But I think I am encouraged that the PGA Tour is doing some things, experimenting with some timing procedures that might be a little bit more aggressive than we’ve seen in the past.”Speaking in March, PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan announced that in an effort to promote greater speed of play, the organization will allow the use of rangefinders in six tournaments.The experimental period will begin at the RBC Heritage, just after The Masters.
The Tour has also pledged to crack down on the slowest players by punishing repeat offenders and publishing average stroke times.Rangefinders will be allowed in six PGA Tour tournaments, with experiments beginning after The MastersGettyScottie Scheffler is currently 9/2 favourite to win the US Masters – check out the full market at talkSPORT BETNot sure who to back? Take a spin on the Lucky Dip wheel and get a random golfer at 80/1. You could get Scheffler or Rory if you’re lucky – Spin hereFancy Rory to win go well? Back him at 50/1 to make 1 + birdie in the first round or get 50/1 Rory to make the cut this week.
