Korhonen strolls to Shot Clock Masters win

Finland’s Mikko Korhonen claimed his first European Tour title as he eased to a six-shot win at the Shot Clock Masters in Austria.

Starting the final round with a five-shot lead, Korhonen made five birdies on his way to a round of 69 while having to battle two weather delays.

The 37-year-old was fortunate to get away with a couple of hooked drives, but the Finn managed to bounce back with birdies after the two bogeys he did make.

After a superb birdie at the 13^th hole, Korhonen parred his final five holes with relative ease to lift the trophy at Diamond Country Club.

Congratulations @Karhanen!

The #ShotClockMasters Champion ? pic.twitter.com/IVehWP5qis

— The European Tour (@EuropeanTour) June 10, 2018

Next best was Scotland’s Connor Syme, who drained a huge birdie putt on the final green to bag himself the biggest payday of his young career so far.

Full Shot Clock Masters leaderboard

Talking point

Well, did the shot clock succeed in speeding up play?

The fastest round on Thursday was a brisk 3 hours 53 minutes. The average third-round time was 4 hours 10 minutes. To put that into perspective, the third-round last year took 30 minutes longer.

The answer? A resounding yes.

In total, there were four time violations over the four days. Clemens Prader, Grant Forrest, Markus Brier and Oscar Stark all fell afoul of the shot clock.

Given that players could call for a time extension twice during a round, we’ll ask the question: how did they let this happen?

Will we see shot clocks in future events? This week’s Fourball discussed whether it’s the best way to speed up golf.

Best moments

Enjoy the walk Mikko ? pic.twitter.com/rTBKDnqLGO

— The European Tour (@EuropeanTour) June 10, 2018

What a putt! And look how much it means to him!@connor_syme is on cloud nine ? pic.twitter.com/5ZujdLJSGC

— The European Tour (@EuropeanTour) June 10, 2018

Korhonen's bogey-free run ends at 62 holes ?

The Finn still leads by six though as he heads to the back nine. pic.twitter.com/SlMv7zGAkC

— The European Tour (@EuropeanTour) June 10, 2018

Even when Korhonen hits a wild tee shot, he still saves par…#ShotClockMasters pic.twitter.com/lt80kkV3OC

— The European Tour (@EuropeanTour) June 10, 2018

Signing off in style, @Coelsss ??#ShotClockMasters pic.twitter.com/oyDy8pprPR

— The European Tour (@EuropeanTour) June 10, 2018

?️ Keith Pelley on the #ShotClockMasters pic.twitter.com/suppeGjKRc

— The European Tour (@EuropeanTour) June 10, 2018

Member's bounce or Finnish precision?

Korhonen won't care, his lead is 4 shots. pic.twitter.com/fPLlEf7kCc

— The European Tour (@EuropeanTour) June 10, 2018

Oscar Stark receives the 4th penalty of the week after going over his 40 seconds ⏲️#ShotClockMasters pic.twitter.com/WYQpvLl2QT

— The European Tour (@EuropeanTour) June 10, 2018

? BAD TIME ?

Austria's Marcus Brier with the first of the day. He took 41 seconds over his approach to the 7th, 1 second above the limit. pic.twitter.com/7vZDNn1iEl

— The European Tour (@EuropeanTour) June 10, 2018

Final Shot Clock Masters leaderboard

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Is a shot clock the answer to golf’s slow play problem?

Tom Irwin

Tom is a lifetime golfer, now over 30 years playing the game. 2023 marks 10 years in golf publishing and he is still holding down a + handicap at Alwoodley in Leeds. He has played over 600 golf courses, and has been a member of at least four including his first love Louth, in Lincolnshire. Tom likes unbranded clothing, natural fibres, and pencil bags. Seacroft in Lincolnshire is where it starts and ends.