Matt Fitzpatrick has not held back on the slow play issues currently plaguing the top level of the game.
Speaking at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans, where he will be joined by his brother Alex, Fitzpatrick was heavily critical of how long rounds take on the PGA Tour, while also attributing the lack of action on the matter to the DP World Tour as well.
The slow play debate has caught fire again in recent weeks thanks to Patrick Cantlay’s antics at the Masters, and Fitzpatrick witnessed this first hand when he was paired with the American in the final round of last week’s RBC Heritage.
And, while Cantlay is far from the only culprit, it is a problem the Englishman fears will never be addressed.
“The times need to be changed,” he told Sky Sports News. “The times need to be much less and then that way, when you’re not within those times, then you’re going to be penalised – properly punished for being slow.
“[The PGA Tour] give us way too much leeway to get around. If you’re in a three-ball, you need to get around in four hours, four and a half is an absolute maximum. It’s a disgrace to get anywhere near that.
“You’re talking five hours and 15 (minutes) and five and a half hours at some venues, it’s truly appalling. The problem is – this conversation has gone on for years and years, and no one has ever done anything.
“I feel like it’s almost a waste of time talking about it every time. I’ve got my opinions, they’re probably strong opinions, but the PGA Tour and the DP World Tour – no one’s going to do anything about it.”
Fitzpatrick was able to able to eradicate any slow play hinderances at Harbour Town by beating Jordan Spieth in a three-hole playoff.
This isn’t the first time the man from Sheffield has taken rate of play in professional golf to task.
At the 150th Open at St Andrews, Fitzpatrick was exasperated after taking over six hours to play the opening around alongside Tiger Woods and Max Homa.
What can be done about slow play? This was discussed on the most recent episode of The Slam podcast.
