Hurry Up, Padraig!!

I have often championed any move to get rid of the curse of slow play, especially in the case of resort golf, where the majority suffer at the hands of the selfish few. Tour pros are often criticised for setting a poor example, but what occurred at Firestone on Sunday 9th, beggared belief. As Woods and Harrington prepared to tackle the 70th hole and continue their gripping head to head tussle, European Tour rules official John Paramor (what was he doing there?) informed them that they were guilty of slow play and were “on the clock”. Harrington, who was leading Woods by a single shot, proceeded to play his 3rd shot into the water at this par five hole, taking a triple bogey 8 to Wood’s birdie 4. Game over.
Tiger Woods claimed Padraig’s uncharacteristic error was due to Paramor’s unnecessary intervention, which caused Padraig to hurry his shot.  “Like I was telling him (Harrington) out there” said Woods, ’I'm sorry that John (Paramor) got in the way of a great battle’ “because it was such a great battle for 16 holes. And unfortunately, that happened.” Tiger’s reward for his  gracious explanation? The threat of a fine (subsequently withdrawn) for disparaging a PGA official. Mr. Paramor should remember that the sole reason for discouraging slow play is to avoid unfair delays to following players. How many players were following Woods and Harrington? None. Slow play needs to be dealt with during the early and middle stages of proceedings, whether in a pro tournament or a day’s holiday golf. Penalising the tailenders, who have already been held up for 5 hours, reeks of closing the stable door after the horses have bolted.

Tags: champion