Add Paige Spiranac’s name to the growing list of golf stars fuming over the sport’s recent spark in slow play.
The longtime golf influencer, 30, opined on the matter Tuesday following the controversial pace exhibited at the 2023 Masters earlier this month.
“Slow play in golf has been a huge topic of discussion, so let’s talk about it,” Spiranac began in a Twitter video.
“The conversation picked up steam when Jon Rahm and Brooks Koepka were waiting on every single hole at Augusta, honestly, I’ve seen paint dry faster than that round was finished.”
Rahm and Koepka made up the final Masters pairing and finished the last round of the major tournament in roughly five hours.
Koepka — known for his swift pace — later chastised the group in front of him, which consisted of Patrick Cantlay and Viktor Hovland, for their “brutally slow” pace.
“Jon went to the bathroom like seven times during the round, and we were still waiting,” Koepka said at the time.
Spiranac did not single anyone out in her video, but noted she believes the issue “is a larger problem.”
“And the rebuttal is always, ‘But they’re playing for majors and a lot of money, so they should take their time.’ Look at any other sport. They’re not just going to extend the time because they’re playing for a championship,” she said.
The “Playing A Round” podcast host then suggested that if golfers do not hit their shot in 40 seconds, which is generally advised, they should be penalized.
“Slow play is unsportsmanlike and a form of cheating. I don’t understand how this is not fixed yet. It’s easy — penalize them if they don’t hit it in 40 seconds. That’s it,” Spiranac said.
Spiranac and Koepka aren’t the only notable names who have aired their grievances on slow play as of late.
Matt Fitzpatrick, this year’s RBC Heritage winner, called it “truly appalling” in a new interview with Sky Sports.
“I think the times need to be much less, and that way when you’re not within those times you’re going to be penalized and properly punished for being slow,” Fitzpatrick said, according to Sports Illustrated.
“I think they give us way too much leeway to get around. If you’re a three-ball, in my opinion, you should get around in four hours. 4 1/2 [hours] absolute maximum. It’s a disgrace to get anywhere near that. You’re talking 5:15 and 5 1/2 [hours] in some venues, and it’s truly appalling.”
