“Rule Bryson”. What is the new measure to sanction slow golfers on the PGA Tour

Before they were Kevin Na and Sergio García. In the last times, Bryson DeChambeau. All three were controversial for his slow play at the highest level of golf. A substantial delay on the court that irritated fans of the PGA Tour, as happened for example with the Bomber in the second round of the Northern Trust Open 2019, where it took another two minutes to execute a blow.

At that time, the maximum tour decided not to impose fines in money or penalties in strokes to any player, but from this year decided to cut their losses and en el Sentry Tournament of Champions implemented a policy to alleviate the issue and improve the dynamics. Some golf outlets in the United States decided to name it the new “Bryson Rule”, although it does not have a specific name.

This new measure includes a “watch list”, established limits for executing strokes and an increase in fines and penalties. With the help of the ShotLink system, the PGA Tour will move to identifying violators individually, rather than just looking at the time a group takes as a whole. That is to say: beyond the thresome coming at a good pace, the focus will be on the particular golfer and his possible delay when playing.

What is the rule? Each player who averages more than 45 seconds to hit their shot during a lap will be placed on the PGA Tour “watch list.” Once the golfer enters that lot, they will only have a strict time of 60 seconds to avoid being punished. Of course, the penalties will be even higher for players who take more than two minutes to hit, as was the case with DeChambeau at the 2019 Northern Trust Open.

In addition, golfers will receive a penalty stroke for two delays greater than 60 seconds in the same tournament. Until 2020, the punishment of blows was specified only when two delays occurred on the same day.

“I think it’s going to help. Players like Kevin Na and Sergio Garcia improved a lot after the emphasis on avoiding slow play was increased. Hopefully this will work out for the better,” said American Lucas Glover, one of the PGA’s fastest players. Tour.

Glover also points to a psychological issue that could make the offender aware: “The player has to know that he is slow. If the individual is not identified, then it can be argued that they are all [los que son lentos]. But now that they are told and shown that: no, it’s you, and everyone knows it. Nobody wants that reputation. “

Officials are confident that the “educational element” of the new rule will have a similar impact on the entire PGA Tour. At least the new policy, which details how long players are taking specific shots and how they can improve their pace, has already opened several eyes.

American Harris English, who topped the first round in Kapalua on Thursday, felt he was a fast player until a PGA Tour official approached him last fall and informed him that he was averaging 44 seconds per stroke, which is now. to the edge to be added to the new watch list.

“I think it will help,” English mentioned. “Players who know they are slow and do nothing about it are a problem. In general, golfers have to play at a good pace. [El oficial del Tour] he analyzed the statistics and the green is where I am slowest. I like how they break it down, so players can really learn about the areas where they are slow to play. “