Carlota Ciganda is once again at the center of controversy due to slow play. Last year, she was disqualified from the Amundi Evian Championship for refusing to accept a slow-play penalty. Now, according to Monday Q Info, Ciganda has been fined $4,000 for slow play at The Annika driven by Gainbridge at the Pelican Golf Club. Despite being warned multiple times, Ciganda allegedly continued to play at a slow pace, prompting the fine. This incident has reignited debates about the effectiveness of the current penalty system, with many arguing that fines are insufficient to deter slow play.

Ciganda’s slow play has sparked outrage on social media, and she’s now facing criticism from fellow golfers. Charley Hull and Nelly Korda have joined the chorus, publicly expressing frustration with Ciganda’s pace. Ciganda’s ranking of 63rd in points suggests she’s willing to risk the fine to secure a spot in the top 60 and gain entry to next week’s lucrative event. However, with stricter penalties potentially on the horizon, Ciganda may need to adjust her pace to avoid more severe consequences. Well, now some golfers are also bashing her, with Hull and Korda leading the charge, questioning Ciganda’s, who was Hull’s teammate in the Solheim Cup, sportsmanship and calling for change.

In the latest video by Golf.com on Instagram Hull was seen sharing her views on the matter and well they sound pretty ruthless. “Oh, it’s crazy, I’m quite ruthless but I said, listen like you know if you get three bad timings like every time there’s a two-shot penalty like if you have two of them, you lose your tour card instantly go back to Q-school because I’m sure that would hurry a lot of people up”, she said.

But she is not the only golfer tired of the pace of play issue in the golf world. Nelly Korda also posted Hull’s video on her Instagram story letting the world know that she completely agrees with Hull. A lot of other people have also raised their voices in this rather annoying matter.

A call for change in ‘slow play’

Slow play is a perennial problem plaguing the golf world, testing the patience of golfers and fans alike. The LPGA Tour has been particularly affected, with fans frequently expressing frustration over the drawn-out pace of play. As Chris Solomon from the No Laying Up podcast aptly put it, “LPGA is even worse than PGA Tour” when it comes to slow play.

The PGA Tour’s Pace of Play Policy, which includes penalty strokes for slow players, has been effective in managing the game’s flow. In contrast, the LPGA’s slower adoption of similar measures has led to longer rounds. Carlota Ciganda’s disqualification from the 2023 Amundi Evian Championship for refusing to accept a slow-play penalty highlights the need for stricter regulations. As one of the No Laying Up hosts noted, “there’s a lot of truth” to the notion that the LPGA’s slow pace is worse than the PGA Tour’s.

To combat slow play, the No Laying Up crew suggests introducing a shot clock, which could differentiate the LPGA from other tours in terms of efficiency. “It’s time for a change,” they emphasize, advocating for a system that would streamline gameplay and alleviate frustration among players and fans. Will the LPGA take heed and implement reforms, or will slow play continue to hinder the sport? Let us know in the comment section below!