Carlota Ciganda alleges she is facing unjust scrutiny for slow play while Nelly Korda defends adherence to rules

Golf’s Pace of Play Debate Continues

Carlota Ciganda Speaks Out Against Slow Play Penalty at Women’s Open

The controversy surrounding pace of play in golf shows no signs of dissipating. Just two weeks after being disqualified from the Evian Championship for refusing to accept a slow play penalty, Spanish golfer Carlota Ciganda has taken a stance on the issue during the Women’s Open.

Ciganda expressed her dissatisfaction with LPGA Tour rules officials following her early exit from the French major tournament. In an Instagram story, she criticized their understanding of professional golf and described their performance as “very poor.”

During a press conference after her opening round at Walton Heath Golf Club in Surrey, England, Ciganda acknowledged that she had increased her speed around the greens but questioned the subjective nature of slow play penalties.

“We are professional golfers playing for a living,” said Ciganda, who shot a commendable two-under par score of 70. “In challenging situations like hitting into rough terrain or encountering difficult lies, it naturally takes longer to complete a hole. I believe officials should consider this aspect more.”

The golfer further argued that the time at which a player’s turn to hit begins is subjective, making it difficult to enforce penalties consistently. Ciganda suggested that if a referee were present in every group, many players would be penalized and deemed it unfair.

Discrepancies in Penalty Enforcement

While acknowledging her own room for improvement in terms of pace of play, Ciganda pointed out what she perceives as inconsistencies in how slower players on the tour are treated.

“I’m here to play golf and always respect my fellow competitors,” Ciganda stated. “I admit I’m not the quickest player on the course, but there are others who are even slower than me. It seems they don’t receive the same level of scrutiny or penalties, which is unjust.”

CNN has reached out to LPGA Tour authorities for their response regarding Ciganda’s comments.

Nelly Korda Supports Enforcing Slow Play Penalties

Ahead of the tournament, world No. 1 Nelly Korda voiced her support for enforcing slow play penalties in golf.

Korda emphasized that adhering to The Rules of Golf guidelines set by R&A and USGA was necessary. These rules recommend completing each shot within 40 seconds.

“The Rules of Golf are The Rules of Golf,” said Korda during an interview with reporters.

“As a faster player myself,” she continued,

If I were watching as a spectator for five-and-a-half hours or longer,

I would find it frustrating if there was continuous stalling. Golf should be a sport that moves forward continuously. It’s important for officials to enforce the rules.”

Korda, who is known for her fast play style, opened the tournament with a one-over par round of 73, leaving her five shots behind compatriot and first-round leader Ally Ewing.

Conclusion

The debate surrounding pace of play in golf continues as Carlota Ciganda voices her dissatisfaction with slow play penalties at the Women’s Open. While some players argue that enforcement of these penalties disrupts their rhythm, others support stricter adherence to The Rules of Golf guidelines. As the conversation on this topic evolves, it remains to be seen how governing bodies will address concerns regarding consistency and fairness in penalizing slow play.