Maverick McNealy’s Smart Fix for Slow Play on the PGA Tour
Alright, let’s talk about slow play on the PGA Tour—a problem that’s been around forever and always seems to spark debate. Some say we need strict penalties, public shaming, or even a complete overhaul of the system. Others argue that slow play is just part of the game and impossible to fix. But Maverick McNealy? He’s coming at it with a fresh, analytical perspective, and honestly, his idea makes a lot of sense.
Now, McNealy isn’t just another golfer complaining about pace of play. He’s got a degree in management science and engineering from Stanford, and last year, he caught the Tour’s attention by pointing out flaws in the season-long points system—leading to an actual rule change. So, when a guy like that speaks up about slow play, it’s worth listening.
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His main argument? Twosomes. He believes that playing in pairs instead of threesomes could be a game-changer. During the Genesis Invitational, McNealy noted that when he played in a twosome, the pace was significantly faster—nearly an hour shorter than rounds on Thursday and Friday. But the real kicker? Twosomes force slow players to speed up. When you're in a larger group, slow players can "hide" in the flow of play. But in twosomes, if you’re lagging, it becomes obvious, and the pressure is on to keep up.
McNealy also touched on the impact of TV scheduling. Networks dictate finish times, making it tough to play twosomes because larger cuts mean bigger weekend fields. His solution? Reduce the cut line slightly—say, to the top 60 and ties instead of 65. That way, fewer players make it to the weekend, and the pace picks up when it matters most—Saturday and Sunday, when the most people are watching.
Of course, not everyone thinks speeding up play is a big deal. Rory McIlroy recently said shaving 15 minutes off a round won’t change much. But an hour? That’s a different story.
McNealy isn’t claiming he’s got a magic fix. He acknowledges that sometimes long rounds are unavoidable, especially in tough weather conditions like at Torrey Pines earlier in the week. But when conditions are good? Faster rounds make the game more enjoyable for players and fans alike.
So, is this the solution golf needs? Maybe. At the very least, McNealy’s approach is logical, numbers-driven, and, most importantly, realistic. And if the PGA Tour is serious about tackling slow play, ideas like his deserve real consideration.
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