Miami (AFP) – The LPGA announced a new pace of play policy on Thursday with lower time thresholds for stroke penalties that will begin next month. The new policy will not begin until after the tour’s upcoming Asian swing, which includes events next week in Thailand, the following week in Singapore, and March 6-9 in China. The first tournament with faster times for penalties will be the Ford Championship on March 27-30 at Chandler, Arizona.
“The LPGA conducted a thorough review of the current pace of play policy to evaluate and address an issue that has been a source of frustration for players and fans alike,” LPGA player president Vicki Goetze-Ackerman said. “This new policy, which was player-led and developed through an established pace of play committee, was created in what we believe is in the best interest of our brand, fans, and the overall LPGA watching experience.”
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The new penalty structure for times over the rules mandates a fine for the first five seconds, a one-stroke penalty for violations between six and 15 seconds, and a two-stroke penalty for violations of 16 seconds or more. The first to hit on par-4 and par-5 holes will no longer receive an additional 10 seconds, except on reachable par-4s, while the first to hit on par-3 holes, approach shots, and putts will still receive the extra 10 seconds.
“Based on a data-backed approach and direct player input, this policy now acts as a stronger deterrent, ensuring players take warnings seriously before penalties become necessary,” Goetze-Ackerman said. “Our overall intention is to improve the pace of play on tour and these updates mark a significant step toward creating a more efficient and enjoyable competitive environment.”
Groups that are out of position will continue to receive one warning per round unless they are so far out of position that an official deems it not appropriate. Groups on their last three holes can be timed without a warning. If sufficient improvement is not made within the next hole after the warning, the group may then be timed. Individual players can continue to be timed in addition to a group. Fines will double each consecutive year a player is in violation of time overage and excessive shot timing rules.
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