Bryson DeChambeau Gives Slow Play Solution At The Open Championship.

Forbes

20-07-2025

After being put on the clock during Saturday's third round, a frustrated Bryson Dechambeau offered up a solution to professional golfs pace of play problem.
PORTRUSH, NORTHERN IRELAND - JULY 18: Bryson DeChambeau of the United States walks on the first hole ... More during day two of The 153rd Open Championship at Royal Portrush Golf Club on July 18, 2025 in Portrush, Northern Ireland. (Photo by)
As Bryson DeChambeau and his playing partner, Nathan Kimsey approached the 17th hole during Saturday's third round of the Open Championship, they were notified by tournament officials that they were being put on the clock for slow play.
Bryson DeChambeau Slow Play Comments
'We just kept losing time,' DeChambeau noted after his round. 'Unfortunately, on the 16-17 exchange, you've got a downhill drivable hole you can play pretty quick if you get in the right spot. They did that, and we just lost more time to the group in front of us, and they put us on the clock, which is unfortunate.'
Slow play has been a nagging problem in golf for decades, but in recent years, it had become a larger talking point for golf professionals and fans alike. This week at Royal Portrush has been no different as rounds have been exceeding five hours regularly, with many nearing six hours to complete.
Henrik Stenson Slow Play Comments
2016 Open Champion Henrik Stenson vented to the media on Saturday after his third round 69. 'We got a warning on the 10th green that we were three minutes out, so five minutes over the allotted time frame,' said Stenson. 'I had joked yesterday with the other guys about the first two days, first round took about an hour over the allotted time. Second round was four to five minutes over. I said: 'We just have to wait until halfway through Saturday or Sunday and someone is going to come up to you and say that you're two minutes over and they're going to start pushing you on.' That's exactly what happened.
'I think if you can play an hour over time scheduled in one day, then all of a sudden two minutes is of huge importance the next day, it feels a bit inconsistent to me.'
TROON, SCOTLAND - JULY 17: Henrik Stenson of Sweden celebrates victory as he poses with the Claret ... More Jug on the the 18th green after the final round on day four of the 145th Open Championship at Royal Troon on July 17, 2016 in Troon, Scotland. Henrik Stenson of Sweden finished 20 under for the tournament to claim the Open Championship. (Photo by)
Jon Rahm Slow Play Comments
Fellow LIV golfer Jon Rahm gave a more measured response to the slow play question after his first round on Thursday. "We had a lot of rain come in and out, so umbrellas out, glove out, put the rain gear on, take the rain gear off, give the umbrella to the caddie. It becomes a lot longer that way.
He went on to say, 'Like I said to them, it usually is very much related to the amount of players in the field. When you have 150 plus the first two rounds, every single Major, except the Masters, obviously, is going to be longer rounds. It's just what it is.'
Rahm noted that players are prepared for slower rounds at major championships, "It is an adjustment when you get to play a six-hour round a little bit, but I also know it's going to happen. So talk to your caddie, talk to your playing partners. While there's nothing you can do, just try to keep your mind engaged in something else but the game."
But it was the DeChambeau the LIV Golf and YouTube sensation that elaborated more on the pace of play problem in professional golf and even offered up his solution - just time everybody.
Bryson DeChambeau's Slow Play Solution
"It's very simple. It's not difficult at all. You eventually time everybody for their whole entire round. Very simple," explained DeChambeau, who sat at two-under for the championship after the third round.
'Nobody wants to do it because people are too scared to get exposed, which I am an advocate for. I'd love to be timed, and I have no problem with that. My putting, I'm more deliberate, take more time on that, but when it comes to iron shots, off the tee, I'm pretty fast,' declared DeChambeau when talking about his own game.
'I think it would be more fair towards everybody. If somebody is playing slower, the guy can go up to him and say, hey, man, you're over par with your time. All you do is you just time them for every single shot.'
PORTRUSH, NORTHERN IRELAND - JULY 15: Bryson DeChambeau of the United States speaks to the media ... More during a press conference prior to The 153rd Open Championship at Royal Portrush Golf Club on July 15, 2025 in Portrush, Northern Ireland. (Photo by Oisin Keniry/R&A/R&A via Getty Images)
As the slow play problem in professional golf persists, more people call for the R&A and USGA to make adjustments. Will DeChambeau's idea to put every player on the clock eventually become the standard? Only time will tell.