Major champions respond to ‘harsher’ LPGA slow play rules

Nelly Korda has responded to the slow play penalty changes

World No. 1 Nelly Korda shares her excitement ahead of the new slow play rules being introduced by the LPGA

The LPGA Tour’s battle with slow play has taken a step forward as new policies were announced at a recent player meeting, with stricter penalties ready to be handed out.

Players that take 1-5 seconds longer than the allowed time to play their shot will receive a fine. Players that take 6-15 seconds longer to play their shot will receive a 1-stroke penalty, and those taking more than 16 seconds longer will receive a 2-stoke penalty.

The PGA Tour’s recent bid to tackle slow play involves permitting distance measuring devices, but with slow play being caused by slow players, have the LPGA got it right? Only time will tell, but the initial response from players has been largely positive. World No. 1 Nelly Korda expressed her relief during a press conference ahead of the Founders Cup.

“Finally,” she said. “I’m very excited about it. I think that’s one of the things that I’ve just noticed over my time on tour, is that we used to go from under five hours to now it’s just five and a half, typically, our rounds.”

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The policy aims to keep the game engaging for both players and spectators. Korda emphasized the entertainment factor, adding: “They were saying at the meeting, at the end of the day we’re a form of entertainment. If we’re taking really long out there, I mean, that’s not entertaining.”

Fellow major champion Minjee Lee echoed Korda’s view, praising the move as necessary.

“I think it’s great,” the Australian confirmed. “I would probably say that something had to be done at some point. It’s 2025 and we are just implementing a little bit harsher rules to start with, and it’s going to be a great policy.”

While there were some concerns about how timing would be enforced, particularly regarding when the clock officially starts on a player’s shot, Korda was optimistic that these details would be refined over time.

“There were questions about that,” she added. “But I think over time that’s going to be ironed out, and I think it’s going to be better for everyone that the rounds are going to be moving a little faster.”

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Lee also pointed out the impact of slow play on TV broadcasts, where delays can create a frustrating domino effect.

“Obviously we get on TV and we have a lot of holes might be backed up and then TV goes a little off and play goes a little off and everybody is unhappy,” she said.

With support from top players and a renewed focus on keeping the game moving, the LPGA’s slow play policy appears to be a step in the right direction. Whether it translates to tangible improvements on the course remains to be seen, but for now, the Tour has made its stance clear.