19 April 2023 , 09:33
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Matt Fitzpatrick has urged golf's governing bodies to speed up the "ridiculous" pace of play after his RBC Heritage triumph.
Fitzpatrick, 28, won his maiden non-major PGA Tour title in South Carolina on Sunday by beating Jordan Spieth in a play-off. Yet the Sheffield star was left frustrated by the pace of play during the final round, especially that of his playing partner Patrick Cantlay.
Fitzpatrick, who is the reigning US Open champion after his triumph at the Country Club last June, is worried the PGA Tour and DP World Tour have little interest in speeding up the game. He wants all professional rounds to be completed within four hours.
"If you're in a three-ball, in my opinion you should be round in four hours, four and half absolute maximum - it's a disgrace to get anywhere near that," said Fitzpatrick. "You're talking five hours and 15, five and a half hours at some venues and its truly appalling.
"The problem is this conversation has gone on for years and years and years and no one ever done anything so I feel it’s almost a waste of time talking about it. I have strong opinions, but no-one's going to do anything about it."
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Fitzpatrick is known as one of the quickest golfers on the circuit. Professionals can be put on the observation list if they average more than 45 seconds per stroke over a rolling period of 10 tournaments, but that rule is rarely enforced by the powers that be.
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As quoted by the Daily Mail, Fitzpatrick added: "Slow play is a huge issue. I was forcing myself the whole day [on Sunday] to walk as slow as possible and I was still fast, I was still ready. I think it's a real issue, way more needs to be done.
"The thing is I really like referees over here [in the USA], they are great people, but I did not see a single ref all day. There were a few shots we were waiting and I don't understand where they are all hiding. It does become frustrating when you are waiting so long."
Fitzpatrick, who is ranked No.8 in the world and a prolific winner on the DP Tour, is hoping to claim another PGA Tour crown this weekend by taking part in the Zurich Classic of New Orleans. The team stroke play tournament will take place at TPC Louisiana.
Fitzpatrick will team up with his brother Alex for the tournament. The 24-year-old turned professional last year and finished T13 at the Open de France in September. Ironically, Cantlay and Xander Schauffele are the reigning Zurich Classic of New Orleans champions.
It's just two months until Fitzpatrick defends his US Open title at Los Angeles Country Club. Golf's next major in 2023 is the US PGA Championship, which takes place at Oak Hill Country Club in New York next month. Justin Thomas is the reigning champion.
The final major of the year is the Open Championship, with takes place at Royal Liverpool Golf Club in Hoylake, Merseyside in June. Cameron Smith is the defending champion. The first winner of a major this year is Jon Rahm after his stunning Masters triumph.