Golf requires the players to have the utmost focus throughout the game while making their shots. But the golfer shouldn’t take too long to engross themselves in the same. The legend of the game, Tiger Woods, is of exactly the same opinion, as he decided to bring in a few rules to enhance the gameplay of his new tech-infused league.
However, the 47-year-old did not always have the same stance that he currently preaches. While he has gone ahead to adopt a certain point of view with regard to the pace of play in TGL, it has come to light that the golfer himself had been caught up in an unfavorable situation a decade ago—in a shocking slow-play controversy no less!
Tiger Woods’ TGL shot clock and slow play controversy
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TGL has been making a lot of waves in the golfing world since its inception. And now, in a bid to make the Hall of Famer’s new venture more efficient, Woods has gone ahead to introduce a shot clock in the upcoming league that is set to hit the community by January 2024.
As per the new “shot clock,” the players would need to hit their shots in 40 seconds, after which the team would “incur a one-stroke penalty.” The same would be enforced by a referee, along with a booth official. The clock would be stopped and reset whenever a golfer finishes their turn, receives a penalty, “calls a timeout”, incurs a penalty through “Rules of Golf”, or for a special circumstance as decided by the officials.
However, what’s surprising is that the 82-time PGA Tour winner himself was embroiled in a similar situation involving the pace of play. During the 2009 WGC-Bridgestone Invitational, Woods had gone ahead to blow up against European Tour official John Paramor, all the while accusing him of rushing his opponent Padraig Harrington to move along because of their slow speed. The 15-time major champ blamed Paramor for the Irishman’s meltdown on the 16th, where he hit a triple bogey.
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Woods won the event with a score of 12-under 268, while Harrington finished T2 at 272 (-8). Although the 47-year-old had criticized the office bearer for laying waste to what would have been an amazing match, the golfer did go ahead and change his stance on the same.
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Woods’ changed opinion on slow play
During the third round of the 2012 Players Championship, Kevin Na was spotted engaging in a lot of pre-shot routines involving countless waggles, swings, and back-offs. Following this, Mr. T was quick to point out how one should get a penalty if they are warned.
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The 1997 Masters Tournament Champ was expressive of the importance of a single shot, as he mentioned how valuable the same is. However, as per the current rules, a stroke punishment can only be given when the second “bad time” ruling is made by the officials.
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