In the LPGA’s Match Play Championship on Sunday, Morgan Pressel was penalized for slow play. The infraction couldn’t have come at a worse time. Pressel had just taken a 3-up lead on the 12th hole of the semifinals when she was informed of the penalty. As a result, her lead dropped to 1-up. Pressel, clearly shaken, went on to lose to eventual champion Azahara Munoz, lipping out a 3-footer on the decisive final hole.
It was a tough break for Pressel but hardly unjustified. After being warned twice for slow play, she stood on the tee at No. 12, tossing blades of grass into the air, selecting a club, taking two deliberate practice swings, going back to her bag to grab another club and so on. In all, it took 57 seconds to play the tee shot.
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Anyone who plays golf has been stuck with such a player. It’s infuriating and unnecessary. Unfortunately, the pros they see on TV give them a license to play slowly. Enforcing slow play rules is a way to help eradicate this plague on the sport.
– Kevin Dunleavy
