Bryson DeChambeau Calls for Rule Change Amid Slow Play Controversy at The Open… Read more…
The 153rd Open Championship at Royal Portrush was an unforgettable spectacle marked by historic victories, emotional family moments, and the fierce test of links golf. Yet amid the crowning of Scottie Scheffler as Champion Golfer of the Year, another storyline began to gain traction—one that has stirred both debate and scrutiny across the professional golfing world.
Bryson DeChambeau, never one to shy away from controversy or innovation, has once again found himself in the headlines. This time, his post-round comments at Royal Portrush centered around slow play, which he called “a disease” affecting the sport and proposed a radical timing overhaul that would fundamentally reshape how rounds are monitored and enforced.
The Open’s Marathon Rounds Spark the Debate
The final two days of The Open were plagued by significant weather delays. Heavy winds and intermittent rain forced organizers to adjust tee times, leaving some players on the course for up to 12 hours from warm-up to final putt. While delays in links golf are not uncommon, the result was a painfully slow pace that tested even the most patient of players.
One pairing reportedly took over 6 hours and 10 minutes to complete 18 holes. Fans, analysts, and even some players criticized the delay between shots and the drawn-out pace, especially during crucial weekend rounds.
DeChambeau, who finished T-11, was asked about the pace during his Sunday press conference. His response was both pointed and forward-thinking.
DeChambeau’s Proposal: “Time the Whole Round”
Instead of focusing solely on individual pre-shot routines, as current regulations do, DeChambeau argued for a macro-level timing system. He suggested timing each entire group’s round, with a designated completion time. Should a group exceed it without a valid weather or rules delay, penalties would be applied to every member.
“We time every other professional sport by the total game time—why not golf?” DeChambeau said. “If you give a group 4 hours and 30 minutes to play, and they go over, that’s a penalty—simple.”
His logic is that it would shift accountability from individuals to groups, which he believes would encourage self-policing among playing partners and remove ambiguity from slow-play rulings.
A History of Contradiction?
Interestingly, DeChambeau has himself been the subject of slow play criticism in the past. He was infamously scrutinized during the 2019 Northern Trust Open, where he took over two minutes to hit an 8-foot putt, sparking a wave of ridicule from peers and media.
Since then, he has worked to improve his pace, often defending himself by pointing out inconsistencies in enforcement across the Tour. Now, by proposing a round-wide timing standard, DeChambeau may be trying to turn over a new leaf—and reshape his public image on the issue.
Reactions Across the Tour
Player responses to DeChambeau’s proposal were mixed, but the problem of slow play is one few deny. Justin Thomas, when asked for his opinion, said:
“I agree something needs to change, but I’m not sure group penalties are the answer. What if one guy is causing all the delays and the rest are playing quick? That’s not fair.”
On the other hand, former Open Champion Francesco Molinari noted:
“We’ve tried enforcing time limits on individuals, and it hasn’t worked. Maybe this kind of system would actually force players to move with purpose.”
Fans online largely applauded DeChambeau’s boldness. On golf forums and social media, users expressed fatigue with long rounds that stretch the viewing experience and make tournament play less exciting to watch.
One viral tweet read:
“Golf needs to evolve. Bryson’s right—time the round, not the shot. End this nonsense once and for all.”
Challenges to Implementation
While DeChambeau’s suggestion has merit in its simplicity, golf’s unique structure poses logistical challenges:
- Varying hole difficulties mean some holes naturally take longer than others.
- Weather changes, like sudden gusts or rain delays, can add unpredictable minutes to any round.
- Rules disputes and rulings are often unavoidable and time-consuming.
Tournament officials also worry about penalizing entire groups, especially in a major, where every shot counts. Critics argue it could create tension between players and potentially result in unfair discipline.
A Call for Modernization
Still, DeChambeau’s proposal is part of a larger trend: the push for modernization in golf. From discussions around distance limits and equipment standards, to conversations about fan engagement and broadcast pace, golf is confronting its traditions in a rapidly changing sports landscape.
Bryson’s own unique brand—scientific, unapologetically experimental, and often unorthodox—has always challenged golf’s old guard. In many ways, this suggestion is just the next iteration of his influence.
The Bigger Picture: Golf’s Time Dilemma
The issue of slow play isn’t new, but it’s becoming more urgent as golf tries to attract younger fans and compete with faster, more dynamic sports. A six-hour round doesn’t translate well to TV or digital streaming. Younger audiences, raised on highlight reels and rapid-fire content, aren’t as likely to stick with marathon broadcasts.
If DeChambeau’s idea opens the door for rethinking pace-of-play rules, it might be a step toward making golf more watchable and accessible. Whether his “timed round” concept becomes policy or not, he has once again ignited the debate.
Final Thoughts: Maverick or Messenger?
Bryson DeChambeau has always been a disruptor. His physique, his physics-based swing mechanics, and now his approach to time management all speak to a golfer who is never content with the status quo.
At The Open, while he didn’t win a trophy, he may have planted a seed for one of the most important rule evolutions in modern golf. And whether you agree with him or not, one thing is clear: Bryson DeChambeau is shaping how golf thinks about its future.
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