US Tour to judge the pace of the game

Bryson DeChambeau has become the focus of the slow play debate in New Jersey. Image: Getty

The US PGA Tour has announced a revision of the pace-of-regulation, although it remains to be seen what will happen.

After a tumult about Bryson DeChambeau's slow play this week at The Northern Trust at Liberty National in New Jersey – including sharp criticism from fellow professionals and a tough defense by the player himself – the tour today made an announcement.

Via the website of the tour it was stated that in the future control could be moved to players who are in position but take too long to play. The tour also hopes to use Shotlink, the scoring and data system, to track players.

"We know that the individual habits of players when they prepare to take a shot can quickly become a focal point in today's world, and our players and fans are very passionate about this problem," said Tyler Dennis, head of the tour operation. “We used our ShotLink technology to give each player a game overview to which they have access, which breaks down the different parts of their game and provides feedback on the average time the player needs to take a particular shot .

"We are currently reviewing this aspect of the pace of the game and asking ourselves," Is there a better way to do this? "We think technology certainly plays a key role in this and we think of new and innovative ways to use it to tackle these situations."

According to the US tour policy, players are & # 39; clocked & # 39; when their group falls out of position.

Players get between 40 and 50 seconds (depending on factors such as the order of play) to hit a shot. The first bad time results in a warning, while a second bad time in the same round is a one-stroke penalty. Players are fined for a second bad time in a season, and every bad time thereafter, and for every time they are "clocked" after the 10th time.

DeChambeau was filmed for almost three minutes to hit a putt during the Northern Trust, and also ran a 60-meter shot before he played. The video went viral and several professionals have weighed, including Justin Thomas, his playing partner that day.

"I love Bryson as a person, but he's a slow golfer," Thomas said later. "I hate to say this because I don't want Bryson to think I'm throwing him in the bus or something, but it's just a shame where the pace of the game is right now."

TheChambeau & # 39; s group completed their round in four hours, 51 minutes on Saturday at Liberty National, and the American said he felt he was "under attack" because of his way of playing.