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The LPGA Tour praised for its approach towards slow play as player given punishment in latest event
TL;DR
The LPGA Tour has been commended for addressing slow play issues, highlighted by Jin Hee Im receiving a penalty for slow play during a recent event. This incident reflects ongoing concerns about pace in elite golf tournaments.
Key points
- LPGA Tour praised for addressing slow play
- Jin Hee Im penalized a stroke for slow play
- Slow play is a significant issue in elite golf
Jin Hee ImLPGA TourRBC HeritageJM Eagle LA Championship
Photo by Harry How/Getty Images
Slow play continues to be a real issue in elite golf, with the problem evident in tournaments this week across the PGA Tour and the LPGA Tour.
Both the RBC Heritage and the JM Eagle LA Championship went to playoffs, with Matt Fitzpatrick and Hannah Green emerging victorious respectively.
But both events were not without controversy, with Jin Hee Im penalized a stroke for slow play on Saturday on the LPGA Tour.
Meanwhile, Fitzpatrick drew heavy criticism from golf fans after he took four minutes to hit his second shot on the 15th hole on Sunday en route to clinching the title.
The LPGA Tour has now received praise for taking decisive action on an issue that has been a big problem for golf for some time.
LPGA Tour praised for punishing Jin Hee Im’s slow play
Speaking on Golf Channel after Im lost in a playoff at the JM Eagle LA Championship, Eamon Lynch said: “Jin Hee Im made that playoff.
“She got a slow play penalty on Saturday.
“Can we give a little prop to the only tour that actually seems willing to enforce slow play penalties?
“Because if that happened in the men’s game, and a guy lost a playoff on Sunday having gotten a slow play penalty on Sunday, the screaming would just drown out everything else around it.”
Im indeed managed to overcome her penalty to reach a three-way playoff at El Caballero Country Club, where she joined Sei Young Kim and eventual champion Green.
The one-stroke penalty on the 13th hole in round three, therefore, ultimately proved very costly.
What is the LPGA Tour’s Pace of Play Policy?
Penalizing players is clearly the only way to eradicate slow play, but thus far the PGA Tour has failed to clamp down on the issue.
Q&A
What penalty did Jin Hee Im receive for slow play on the LPGA Tour?
Jin Hee Im was penalized a stroke for slow play during a recent LPGA Tour event.
Why is slow play a significant issue in golf tournaments?
Slow play disrupts the flow of tournaments, leading to delays and affecting the overall experience for players and spectators.
What events were mentioned in relation to slow play on the LPGA and PGA Tours?
The RBC Heritage and the JM Eagle LA Championship were both noted for their slow play issues, with playoffs occurring in both events.
