Matt Fitzpatrick: Slow play is a disgrace – but PGA Tour won’t do anything about it
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.
Matt Chivers
Now on the wrong side of 25, Matt has been playing golf since the age of 13 and was largely inspired to take up the game by countless family members who played golf during his childhood.
Matt is a member at Royal Cinque Ports in Deal playing off a 5 handicap, just a pitching wedge away from his hometown of Dover where he went to school and grew up. He has previously been a member at Etchinghill and Walmer and Kingsdown in Kent.
Having studied history at the University of Liverpool, Matt went on to pass his NCTJ Exams in Manchester a year later to fulfil his lifelong ambition of becoming a journalist. He picked up work experience along the way at places such as the Racing Post, the Independent, Sportsbeat and the Lancashire Evening Post.
Matt joined NCG in February 2023 and is the website’s main source of tour news, features and opinion. He has reported live from events such as The Open, the Ryder Cup and The Players Championship, having also interviewed and spent time with some of the biggest names in the sport.
Consuming tour golf on what is a 24/7 basis, you can come to Matt for informed views on the game and the latest updates on the PGA Tour, DP World Tour, LPGA Tour, Ladies European Tour and LIV Golf.
What’s in Matt’s bag: Cobra LTDx LS driver, Cobra LTDx 3-wood, TaylorMade P7MC irons, Ping Glide 4.0 wedges, Odyssey putter.
