Volvo matchplay final

on Sky now.

This could be the worst golf I've ever seen from two pros.

Shanks, penalty shots, three putting. Par is usually good enough to win the hole.

Of course sycophantic Ewan is reassuring us that it's very tough, but really, plenty of club players could play as well as this.

Cant you see how tough it is?? The pins are almost horizontal. It looks the kind of day where par is a good score. Looks a tough golf course as well to be fair. I do agree that neither player has their A game tho.

Yes, fair comment, the conditions got worsse on the back nine.

Still, the front nine was very poor stuff and they really made a meal of it.

And it was played at a funereal pace. I didn't realise McDowell is so slow - even with carts to help them between some holes, it was well over 2 hours for the front nine, and a lot more for the back nine.

In matchplaay that's shocking.

its the same thing that we discussed last week. people only really consider a players pace of play starting at the point when they adress the ball. its only really in matchplay when theres only a couple of people on the course you realise some players are inclined to have a 5 minute chat with the caddy before every shot. the thing is with McDowell, hes very fast once he steps into the ball, but hes agonisingly slow at walking to the ball and decided on the club, shot type, wind direction etc.

Slow play plus matchplay = very dull sport. Lots of watching people walking around and the odd golf shot every 5 minurtes or so.

Well they should feel glad that "slow play" didn't cause any loss of holes like in the LPGA semi final matches.

Morgan Pressel was playing Azahara Munoz and was 2 up coming to the 12th. They had been warned about pace of play and were now officially on the clock. The players have 30 seconds per shot to complete the hole plus 10 seconds to be added onto the total time. Morgan Pressel won the hole with a 3 to go 3 up but took 129 seconds to complete those 3 shots.

On the next tee box the official came over and told her that she breached the pace of play rule and as it was matchplay she lost that hole and was now only 1 up.

The match had more controversy on 15. Pressel said that Munoz had touched line of her putt during her pre putt routine. Munoz denied doing this and it was reviewed at length by officials in the TV booth. The ultimate outcome was she had not touched the line, no penalty and play on. Munoz holed her putt, Pressel didn't. Munoz closed out the match on 17 when Pressel missed from short range.

Morgan Pressel, lost a match she probably would have won if she hadn’t been given the slow play penalty. But I have to say on the 12th she certainly did not look like somebody that was “on the clock” she almost seemed to play the hole especially slow. One thing I would like to see is the clock being made more visible. So maybe after the pair took their tee shots, the referee could announce that Pressel took 57 seconds and Munoz 30 seconds or whatever. Just so the players are absolutely clear and know where they stand…. Maybe it is the players responsibility so their caddies should be starting and stopping a stop watch.

As for Pressel trying to get penalty called on Munoz 3 holes later well with friends like that who needs enemies…

Apparently they are the best of friends Hogie but it did seem like sour grapes or Holly Wilaboobie for tat on 15.

Golf Central showed the entire time Pressel was playing the 12th whilst on the clock and she looked like she didn't have a care in the world. Maybe she thought a penalty wasn't going to be called. Fair play to the LPGA for sticking to their guns and assessing the penalty.

Perhaps they should have a shot clock or play clock for players like the NBA or NFL. Add in some music when the deadline is getting close so the quicker you pull the trigger the less distractions you have.

1GrumpyGolfer wrote:sour grapes or Holly Wilaboobie for tat on 15.

Don't you just love the profanity filter

"Don't you just love the profanity filter"

It is just Flip great.