Slow play in professional golf—ugh, right? For both players and spectators alike, it’s an absolute buzzkill. And, you know what? According to research, it actually degrades performance while being unpleasant too! Golfers might lose almost a full stroke for every additional half hour spent on the course, with high handicappers suffering the most.

The good news, though? At last, tours are taking the initiative. With its stringent new pace-of-play regulation for 2025, the LPGA has been leading the change. And it’s working! In just three hours and forty-two minutes, the Founders Cup final round was over—talk about quickness. But Jay Monahan’s PGA Tour, in the meantime? Though the event last week gave some indication of progress, it is still a work in development. Fans are optimistic, and analysts are already offering their opinions. Is this the new beginning? Let’s dive into this in greater detail.

Insiders push Jay Monahan’s PGA tour to ‘force’ play pace

In the most recent episode of the No Laying Up podcast, “Live from the Killhouse: ’25 Genesis Invitational Recap,” hosts Shane Bacon, Tron Carter, and Chris Solomon discussed the PGA Tour’s ongoing sluggish play issue. At the Genesis Invitational, with a smaller field and some strategic tee times, rounds were way faster, sparking serious conversations. The swiftness of the play on the final day was emphasized by Solomon, who said, “I think it was under four hours for Ludvig’s group or the final group to get through. When they go off the first tee, you can go off the first tee when you have a smaller field.” This change improved the viewing experience and accelerated play, making it more interesting for fans.

The PGA Tour has been urged to implement comparable policies more widely as a result of this strategy’s success. “I just think they need to double down on this kind of signature event model,” Solomon stated, calling for a dedication to this model. He further added, “They need to ‘force’ everybody to play it; they need to come up with different graphics for it; they need live from there; they need to actually elevate these events.” Against sluggish play issues, the tour might increase interest in the sport by requiring participation in these simplified tournaments and improving their presentation.

The benefits of having elite athletes compete alongside one another in these events were also covered by the panelists. In addition to increasing the sporting stakes, there’s a chance to witness the greatest performers compete regularly. The faster pace at the Genesis Invitational got people talking about applying these changes across the board. Insiders agree that action is needed to tackle slow play. To keep the game fresh and improve the fan experience, Jay Monahan should tighten participation rules and fine-tune event setups.

Even with the PGA Tour getting all this pressure to speed up play, it’s clear that fast-paced golf brings the hype. Just look at Ludvig Åberg’s finale. So, let’s delve into this!

Ludvig Åberg’s outstanding finish leads to his second PGA tour title

The Genesis Invitational at Torrey Pines came to an exciting end when Swedish golfer Ludvig Åberg won his second PGA Tour championship with remarkable skill and perseverance. Åberg’s play in the last round was brilliant, even though he had health issues earlier in the event. He made four birdies in the final six holes after overcoming early setbacks, including back-to-back bogeys, demonstrating his tenacity. Åberg finished at 12-under par, a one-stroke triumph against Maverick McNealy owing to this incredible comeback. In addition to his technical skill, his final round 66 showed his ability to remain composed under duress.

With his first PGA Tour victory in 15 months and five professional victories since going pro in June 2023, this triumph is particularly noteworthy for Åberg. His victory at Torrey Pines also brought him a large $4 million prize, highlighting the tournament’s significance and fierce competition. Notably, Åberg’s accomplishments spark a string of impressive PGA Tour performances by European players, underscoring the sport’s expanding global talent.

To sum up, the Genesis Invitational demonstrated the extraordinary skill and tenacity of players like Ludvig Åberg in addition to drawing attention to the urgent problem of sluggish play in professional golf. Performances like Åberg’s serve as a powerful reminder of the thrill and unpredictable nature that make golf such a popular sport, even while debates rage on how to improve the game’s speed and attractiveness.