The Frustration of Slow Play

One of the most common complaints among golfers, whether amateur or professional, is the slow pace of play. At The Open, this issue is particularly pronounced, with rounds often stretching to nearly six hours. The 2023 Open at Royal Portrush was no exception, with players like Rory McIlroy and Justin Thomas taking an unusually long time to complete their rounds.

Factors Contributing to Slow Play

Large Fields and Tee Times

With 156 players in the field, The Open has one of the largest participant pools in major golf tournaments. Unlike the US Open and US PGA Championship, The Open does not utilize simultaneous starts on the first and 10th tees, leading to longer rounds. At Royal Portrush, the first group teed off at 06:35 BST, with the final group starting at 16:16, resulting in rounds that extended into near darkness.

Challenging Course Conditions

The Dunluce Links at Royal Portrush presented a formidable challenge, with wet and blustery conditions making the course even more treacherous. These conditions led to more time spent on each shot, as players had to carefully navigate the challenging terrain. Justin Rose, who shot a bogey-free round, noted that the conditions required a lot of grinding, which naturally slowed down play.

Wayward Drives and Lost Balls

The windy conditions also led to numerous wayward drives, with many balls landing in the thick rough. This resulted in players spending significant time searching for their balls, further delaying play. US Ryder Cup captain Keegan Bradley highlighted the difficulty of blind tee shots in the wind, which often led to players hitting their balls into 'the junk.'

Logjams on Shorter Holes

A notable bottleneck occurred around the fifth, sixth, and seventh holes. The fifth hole is a driveable par-four, followed by a par-three sixth and a par-five seventh that many players could reach in two shots. This sequence led to significant delays, with players often waiting up to 20 minutes to take their shots. South Africa's Christiaan Bezuidenhout, who shared the overnight lead, described the frustration of these long waits but noted that it was a shared experience among all players.

Player Reactions and Solutions

Despite the frustrations, many players acknowledged that little could be done to speed up play under such challenging conditions. Scotland's Robert MacIntyre stated, 'We couldn't have gone any faster,' while England's Aaron Rai added, 'It was a little on the slow side, but naturally with the challenging course, pace of play is going to be a little bit slower than normal.'

Conclusion

The slow pace of play at The Open is a complex issue influenced by a variety of factors, from course conditions to tournament logistics. While it can be frustrating for players and spectators alike, it is also a testament to the unique challenges that make The Open one of the most demanding and prestigious tournaments in golf.