Golf Live: The PGA Tour’s lethargic play has been criticised, and Xander Schauffele and Patrick Cantlay both fired back at those critics as they got ready to defend their Zurich Classic of New Orleans titles.
With the Masters final round less than two weeks ago, the pace of play has become a contentious topic on the Tour, with Cantlay in particular receiving criticism for holding up leaders Jon Rahm and Brooks Koepka as they navigated Augusta National.
Prior to this week’s team strokeplay competition, Matt Fitzpatrick, who shared a final-round group with Patrick Cantlay when he won the RBC Heritage last Sunday, asked for stronger measures to be taken against poor play. Nonetheless, Schauffele stressed that it is important to consider the character of elite-level golf as well as course layouts.
Another close call here @RBC_Heritage. Looking forward to defending next week w/ @XSchauffele @Zurich_Classic ! pic.twitter.com/JWlFtVuKIe
— Patrick Cantlay (@patrick_cantlay) April 17, 2023
The recent events, according to Schauffele, “Have all been within the parameters of the Tour and what is meant to happen. No one has received a fine for slow play or anything similar, so we’re all working within the constraints set by the Tour.
“If enough spectators or Tour pros voice their dissatisfaction, the Tour will need to take action to either speed up play or alter the time par. Without any context, it becomes difficult since it will take longer to put up golf courses with Stimp 13 or 14 greens, tees in unusual locations, and pins in challenging locations.
“We don’t play like the neighbourhood muni that the typical Joe could compare our time par to. We’re competing for a few million dollars, or $3.6 million.
“We’re going to do it if you’re willing to take the extra time to position yourself correctly. That’s just how our sport and game work.”
For his side, Cantlay admits he takes his time, but he is convinced he is not doing it improperly.
The 31-year-old asked if there were any actions that might be taken to quicken the tempo of play as well. He is a member of the PGA Tour’s Player Advisory Council.
“I absolutely move more slowly than the norm, and I have my entire career,” Cantlay said. “Without a doubt, I take my time.
“Being on the PAC has been intriguing, as I mentioned because the duration of the rounds has remained largely constant throughout the past ten or even longer years. I’d be interested to know how they plan to speed it up, so to speak.
“I participated in the last two tournaments, and my group received zero warnings. We have therefore been in our position the entire time.
“Even the groups I’ve been in can’t play any faster because the group in front of us is directly in front of us, so I’m not sure how you expect even those groups too.”
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