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Fitzpatrick Endures Slow Play, Claims Valspar Championship
23 Mar
Summary
- Matt Fitzpatrick voiced frustration over slow play during the final round.
- Adrien Dumont de Chassart received a warning for his pace.
- The PGA Tour has increased measures to speed up play.
Matt Fitzpatrick experienced considerable frustration with the pace of play during the final round of the Valspar Championship. He communicated his concerns to a PGA Tour official regarding his playing partner, Adrien Dumont de Chassart, whose slow play was described as 'glacial.'
Fitzpatrick explained that the stop-and-start nature of the play disrupted his focus and rhythm, especially on challenging holes. This impacted his ability to perform optimally while contending for the championship. Despite these disruptions, Fitzpatrick birdied holes 15 and 18 to secure a one-stroke victory.
The issue of slow play is a prominent topic in golf. The PGA Tour has implemented stricter measures for the 2026 season, adhering to the player handbook. Players are generally allowed 40 seconds per shot, with exceptions for 50 seconds. Exceeding 120 seconds for the first player or 100 seconds for subsequent players can result in penalties, including strokes lost, fines, and even disqualification.
