Top golfers make bold predictions for sport
ABU DhABi — Six of the world’s best golfers on Tuesday predicted how the game of golf could change dramatically over the next ten years including an increase in the speed of play, as the European Tour season kicks into gear at the Abu Dhabi hSBC Championship presented by EGA.
Long established as the jewel in the crown of Middle Eastern golf, the tournament combines a world-class field with a track record for golfing innovation, according to a press release.
in the past the tournament has innovated with players seen wear shorts during their practice rounds, testing new motorised ‘Golf Boards’ to reduce slow play and having music on the range.
At the start of a new decade, with the eyes of the golfing world on how the sport might change over the next ten years, long-time title partner hSBC continued its commitment to exploring innovations that support the growth of golf by bringing together six world-class players to share their ideas about where the sport could and should go over the next decade.
hSBC took world No.1 Brooks Koepka, defending champion Shane Lowry, two-time Abu Dhabi winner Tommy Fleetwood, 2017 Masters winner Sergio Garcia, five-time PGA Tour winner Bryson DeChambeau and two-time PGA Tour winner Patrick Cantlay to the home of innovation in Abu Dhabi — Masdar City. Standing in front of the Knowledge Centre, the players discussed the changes that could help golf thrive in the long-term.
The players made some striking predictions on topics including the pace of play. According to the six, a round of golf should take no longer than three hours 20 minutes, with Bryson DeChambeau stating tournament rounds should take 3hours 30 minutes maximum. Five of the players also stated that beyond their own personal success, they believe Rory Mcilroy will win more majors this decade than any other player.
Only Tommy Fleetwood had a different forecast, believing Tiger Woods would win more majors than anyone else on tour during the next ten years.
The players were joined by members of hSBC Future Falcons Junior Golf Programme.
Bryson DeChambeau, added: “Since i’m already known as ‘The Scientist’, i felt right at home today at Masdar City. The ability to innovate and use science to create new ways of getting around eighteen holes as quickly as possible has always fascinated me, and so it was cool to see this city of the future in Abu Dhabi and to give some predictions on the future of golf.”