Clock ticking down on slow play

SLOW PLAY is right at the top of golf ’s agenda, thanks to the LPGA penalising Morgan Pressel in the semi-final of the Sybase Matchplay Championship on Sunday.

Pressel might be unfortunate to have been caught out during the growing groundswell from Kevin Na’s antics at the Players Championship, and specifically as opponent Azahara Munoz freely admitted she was the one responsible for their match going “on the clock”... but only slightly.

I was surprised to hear some suggest she was not a “serial slowie” and would strongly beg to differ, citing recent Solheim Cups and Women’s British Opens.

The best thing is that this was the first recent example of the existing rules – inadequate as they are – being properly applied without deference to player status or tournament situation.

Pressel is not a journeyman, and the sanction was applied at a highly significant point in the championship.

Tim Finchem’s desire to just brush this issue under the carpet can’t be allowed to succeed, and it appears enough of his members are similarly minded.

The suggestion of a “shot clock” from various people, including Matt Kuchar who bravely endured Na’s nonsense on his way to winning the Players, is gaining ground.

Good. This is the present issue – possibly excepting equality – that should be most concerning to golf ’s blazers, certainly much more so than the lengths of putters.