Tiger Woods to be fined

[Imurg]

I can see both sides here. They were slower than the rest, they'd lost 2 holes so they should be put on the clock. But in the player's defence, there was nobody else in with a shout of winning. So the fact they were slow was not impacting on anyone other than themselves. If Allenby had posted a -11 , for example, then I can understand the RO's wanting Tiger and Pod to get a lick on but that's not how it was.
RO's were a bit "jobsworth" in this instance I feel although technically they were right. They need to exercise a bit of discretion in circumstances like this.

Almost amazed that Tiger got fined - never thought they'd have the balls to do it. Fair play to the PGA

 

[RGDave]

Um, interesting.

Quite frankly, if I was Tiger, I'd say what I want unless it was too controversial to be sensible. Think about it, he was basically saying a "sorry/bad luck mate" to Pad' because he felt bad about the incident and would have preferred to fight to the end. We all like to win, but 99% don't want to see someone else fall apart (unless you are 2 down with 3 to play in matchplay!).

He speaks his mind and I like that in him. He might do it from a very egotistical point of view, but he ought to be able to criticise the odd thing, even if it costs him a few bob.

 

[rgs]

From reports i have read Paramor indiacted the group were 11 minutes behind schedule on the 13th but were not warned or put on the clock because of problems ahead on the 16th, if Paramor had indicated to the players the problem earlier they may have moved a bit quicker. If i were the players i would have told Paramor Ok impose the $5,000 fine and let us get on with the battle.
At every tournament Tigers group are IMO, slower than other groups mainly due to the galleries following the group, naturally the players wont play until the crowds have quitened down.

 

[Herbie]

He was fined for breaking the rules of which he obligated not to!

Admirable that he defends Paddy(one of his better qualities), but still wrong.
Go against the grain of the establishment in public in any sport and expect to be penalised.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

I can see the argument that having fallen so far behind the group in front they should have been warned and probably put on the clock earlier and the other side of the coin about who were they holding up. I think what you'll find is that US TV were getting twitchy as they hate for their programmes (golf and sport in general to overrun ans it plays havoc with advertising schedules) and so I imaging the USPGA were being leaned on to get them to hurry up.

That said having critisiced Woods earlier in the week for spitting and chucking clubs I do have a degree of sympathy with him in this instance. I think Harrington still has an issue with the pace of play (look back to the Open last year) but I can't believe he would actually blame being on the clock for the initial error at the 16th.

 

[DCB]

Next time you watch Tiger or Padraig, check your watch once they get the club out the bag. See how long it takes then to get settled into their shot and execute the shot. It's that time which is dragging on and was the cause of their infringment the other day.

 

[Herbie]

I can see agencies placing pressure on things (very wrong IMO)but happens with so much money etc involved, but then again as great as the golf is these days, I think the time pro'stake to get round courses is often OTT and as the pace can damage one players performance yet enhance anothers, more effort in keeping the game flowing at a set rate of play is only a good thing in my mind as it would allow all players to mould their game around ONE pace.

It was unfair on paddy in the circumstances but both he and Tiger were responsible for the pace, not others.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Both players are responsible but Paddy is notoriously slow and Woods isn't going to go over and say "fancy hurrying it up a bit as we've lost a hole in front"

Its up to the PGA and European Tour to find a definitive way of getting pro players round in a sensible timeframe and which is then unified across both tours.

 

[Herbie]

I agree with that point Homer.

 

[RGDave]

Both players are responsible but Paddy is notoriously slow and Woods isn't going to go over and say "fancy hurrying it up a bit as we've lost a hole in front"

If I was playing with either, I'd say exactly that! then follow it with, "Look mate, I just want to get my 34 points and hit the beers."

 

[rgs]

We all accept POD is not the quickest however i also believe Tiger is not as quick as he leads us to believe.

The speed of play in pro tournaments needs to be looked at. 2 balls taking over 4 hours is not acceptable however difficult the course, the galleries generally locate the wayward balls.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

I think Woods is quite a slow player in deciding what he wants to do and his endless checks with his caddy of yardage. I think once over the ball he is pretty quick

 

[USER1999]

Ok, they weren't holding anyone (apart from the viewer) up by playing slowly as they were last out, but what if one of the other players, who cane say 5th, says he could have shot a much better score given more time to play. At that point, Woods and Paddy have had an advantage over the rest of the field. Rules are rules, and are there to provide a level playing field for all.

 

[Brendan]

I think Christian Caever was racing a tortise on the 17th and they needed to catch up.