"Lexi Thompson Addresses US Women's Open Slow Play Controversy: Don't Jump to Conclusions Based on Images and Brief Clips Alone"
Casual Convo:
The US Women's Open is hitting the headlines again, this time for the talks about pace of play.
Lexi Thompson, a major champion, has flipped the script and addressed the slow play controversy following her recent performance at Erin Hills.
Thompson, who's a regular at the US Women's Open, found herself in the slow play bracket after her playing partner, Charley Hull, was spotted lounging on the ninth tee box.
The Englishwoman was not only seen loitering but also dashed ahead of Thompson and Nelly Korda on the 18th and mumbling while Thompson prepared for her putts on the first day.
However, Thompson, using her Instagram as a platform, clarified her stance on the matter.
In her post, Thompson appreciated the USGA, volunteers, and fans, before shedding light on slow play. She emphasized that her group waited on the group ahead and never ignored pace of play warnings.
"Before you make assumptions, make sure you get all the facts right," Thompson suggested.
Charley Hull, Thompson's sparring partner, has also vocalized her concerns over slow play in the past, even suggesting players could lose their Tour cards for excessive violations.
It wasn't just the first two days at the US Women's Open where pace was an issue. The Saturday contest saw the final group complete their rounds in six hours.
On the final day, organizers decided to move groupings from three balls to two balls to speed things up. Interestingly, the first pair, Kiara Romero and Celine Borge, managed to wrap up their round in under four hours.
Apart from the pace discourse, Thompson also clarified her position regarding her 'retirement' announcement from May 2024. She stressed that she never completely stepped back and is only taking a break from a full-time schedule.
So, here's a friendly reminder: let's not jump to conclusions when it comes to slow play - let's wait for the facts!
Golf Tournaments Pace of Play Explained:
Golf tournaments enforce specific regulations to ensure a timely completion of rounds. Some key aspects include:
- Time Par: The expected time for a group to complete a round, usually around 4 hours and 30 minutes for an 18-hole round.
- Warning Systems: Players are monitored individually and as a group. Warnings may be issued if a group falls behind or a player slows the pace.
- Penalties for Slow Play: Players who cause undue delay may receive warnings and penalty strokes for subsequent offenses.
- Monitoring and Enforcement: Tournament officials monitor groups and players throughout the round to enforce these rules. Players are expected to stay aware of their position relative to the group ahead.
- Mitigating Factors: Weather, course difficulty, and waiting for the group ahead can impact pace of play. In Thompson's case, she highlighted that her group often waited for the group ahead, contributing to their slow progression.
Golf enthusiasts might find it interesting to note that, just like Thompson's recent experience at the US Women's Open, many golf tournaments enforce rules to maintain a suitable pace of play.In these tournaments, golfers must adhere to time par, which is typically set at around 4 hours and 30 minutes for an 18-hole round. Violations could lead to warnings or even penalty strokes, thereby emphasizing the importance of attending to one's game efficiently while maintaining tournament pace.
