Patrick Cantlay responds to Brooks Koepka’s ‘brutally slow’ comment during final round at The Masters

Patrick Cantlay counters Brooks Koepka's slow pace comment during The Masters final round.

Patrick Cantlay responds to Brooks Koepka’s ‘brutally slow’ comment during final round at The Masters

Patrick Cantlay ( Image via Golf Digest )

The 2023 Masters Tournament has come and gone, with plenty of excitement and drama over the four-day competition. Among the top storylines from the event was the criticism of Patrick Cantlay’s slow play during the final round. The former FedEx Cup champion was called out by Brooks Koepka who suggested that Cantlay’s pace of play negatively impacted the overall experience for players and fans alike.

Despite the criticism, Cantlay has since defended himself against Koepka’s claims. Speaking out about the issue, Cantlay stated that he was not solely responsible for the slow pace of play during the final round and that he was waiting just as much as everyone else on the course.

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While the debate over slow play in golf is nothing new, this latest incident has certainly sparked a lot of discussion within the golf community. As such, it’s worth taking a closer look at both sides of the argument and considering what, if anything, can be done to improve the pace of play in professional golf.

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Related: Brooks Koepka’s caddie penalty at The Masters sparks rule controversy – Did Augusta National get it wrong?

Patrick Cantlay addresses the issue of slow play in professional golf

Patrick Cantlay
Patrick Cantlay ( Image via Golf Digest )

Patrick Cantlay’s response to Brooks Koepka’s criticism was measured and reasonable. According to Cantlay, he and his playing partner, Viktor Hovland, were not the only ones contributing to the slow pace of play during the final round. In fact, Cantlay claimed that the group in front of them was also taking a long time to complete their shots, which caused delays for the rest of the field.

While it’s certainly possible that Cantlay was not solely responsible for the slow pace of play, there is still a larger issue at play here. Slow play has long been a problem in professional golf, and it can have a negative impact on both the players and the fans.

According to Mirror, For players, slow play can lead to mental fatigue and loss of focus, which can ultimately impact their performance on the course. For fans, slow play can be frustrating and boring, and it can detract from the overall excitement of the event.

Given the negative impact of slow play, it’s important for players and golf organizations to take steps to address the issue. This could include implementing stricter rules and penalties for slow play, encouraging players to pick up the pace, and finding ways to speed up the game without sacrificing the integrity of the sport.

Patrick Cantlay’s slow play during the final round of the 2021 Masters Tournament has sparked a debate about the larger issue of slow play in professional golf. While Cantlay has defended himself against criticism from Brooks Koepka, there is still a need for players and golf organizations to take steps to address this ongoing problem.

By finding ways to speed up the game without sacrificing the integrity of the sport, we can ensure that golf remains an exciting and enjoyable experience for both players and fans alike.

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