PGA Tour notebook: Commissioner Tim Finchem working on resolving slow-play issues

From WorldGolf.com News Services

While almost everyone acknowledges that pace of play is an ongoing problem on the PGA Tour, Commissioner Tim Finchem said Tuesday that he's not exactly sure how to remedy the situation.

"Pace of play has always been a problem - more so in the eyes of some than others, perhaps - and I always in my mind divide it between the extent to which it's a problem at the professional [level] and the extent to which it's a problem just in terms of how long it takes to play a round of golf for the average player that wants to go out and play," Finchem told reporters in Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla., which will be the site for this week's Players Championship. "I think there's a debate as to how they overlap ... but just focusing on pace at the professional level, it's always been a challenge to maintain a system that's fair to the competitors and tries to maintain etiquette in the game.

"You owe your fellow competitor the courtesy of maintaining a reasonable pace."

On the other hand, Finchem said the answer is probably not as simple as just merely asking players to pick up the pace. He said there are several factors involved.

"We make it very difficult because we put a lot of people on the golf course on Thursdays and Fridays — sometimes 156 players," Finchem said. "We push the number we play based on daylight. We set up the golf courses as hard as we can set them up. We put the pins three paces from the side of the greens. We try to create excitement on the golf course by having reachable par 5s and drivable par 4s.

"All of these things slow play down. They create situations that bottleneck play."

Finchem said all those factors lead to too many weeks where players are left waiting at the tee. Worse yet, he said there are tournaments where the PGA Tour struggles to stay within its TV window or even to complete the tournament before darkness arrives, especially when weather delays are involved.

"These are all challenges and they emanate from lots of different reasons," Finchem said. "Some of it is because some players are slow players, but that's only one element of it."

Finchem said that Tour officials are considering how to effectively analyze the slow-play situation more effectively.

"I think it's time to do that," Finchem said. "I think it's a combination of identifying things that could be done in communicating effectively, primarily with players, talking about the professionals, but also yourselves and the fans about what the realities are, what the causes are and what steps could be done."

Tiger Woods a significant absence

The 144-player field at this week's Players features 101 competitors who have won on the PGA Tour, capturing a combined 414 PGA titles. A total of 25 major championship winners are scheduled to play, but of course, the player with the biggest drawing power won't be there.

Finchem said Tiger Woods, the world No. 1-ranked player who is out of action while recovering from arthroscopic knee surgery, will be missed at this week's event.

"Obviously, we miss Tiger," Finchem said. "Not having the No. 1 player in the world here is a frustration, but we celebrate everybody else that's here."

Pete Dye headed for Hall

Golf course architect Pete Dye is scheduled to be inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame on Nov. 10 as part of the Class of 2008. Dye was selected in the lifetime achievement category.

"I am surprised and extremely honored to be inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame and to be included with those who have contributed to the game I love," Dye told reporters.

One of the most famous golf architects in the world with more than 120 courses on his resume, including the Stadium Course at TPC Sawgrass, the site of this week's PGA Tour event. Dye-designed courses have been ranked in the nation's top 10 by most major golf publications.

Worth noting: The Players Championship

• Bad news for defending champion Phil Mickelson: No player has defended his title successfully at The Players. The best finish in the tournament by a defending champion is fifth, achieved by Hal Sutton (2001), Tom Kite (1990) and Jack Nicklaus (1977).

• In the 34-year history of the The Players Championship, there have only been two tournaments decided in playoffs. The most recent was in 1987 when Sandy Lyle defeated Jeff Sluman. No PGA Tour event has had a longer run without a playoff.

• Thursday's first round will feature the 23rd Players start for both Bernhard Langer and Davis Love III. Ben Crenshaw, Jay Haas and Tom Kite share the record with 28 starts.

• At 22 years old, Anthony Kim is the youngest player in The Players field. Last week, Kim picked up his first PGA Tour victory, winning the Wachovia Championship.

May 7, 2008