Jordan Spieth Given “Monitoring Penalty” After Slow-Play in Abu Dhabi

As the European Tour crack down on slow play, Jordan Spieth became the first high profile player to receive a monitoring penalty for slow putting in Abu Dhabi.

Chief referee John Paramor was thought to believe that the world number one took too long on the par-five eighth hole – and issued him with warning on his way to the ninth tee.

 
The new timing regulations are now in full swing, which have only started being enforced at the Abu Dhabi Golf Championship, which according to Keith Pelley, Tour chief executive, can help trim around 15 minutes off normal tournament round of golf.

However, Spieth believed that the warning was a little excessive, considering that group behind were only teeing off when he was measuring up his 15-foot putt for birdie.

Talking to Sky Sports, he said: “It was a bit odd.  I understand the rule but it doesn’t make a whole lot of sense when our group had caught up.”

Playing partner Rory McIlroy backed up the American, as he has also claimed that “common sense” should have played a part, as the group were not out of position.

Paramor believes differently, and thinks his warning was an appropriate one.

He said: “Pace of play on the European Tour is measured by whether a group keeps to the starting interval between groups, rather than if they are on the same hole, as it is in America.”

 
Paramor went on to say, “Jordan was assessed a monitoring penalty after his putt on the eighth hole, which I advised him of as he walked to the ninth tee.”

Aside from the warning, Spieth’s round ended early as play was suspended due to darkness, which will continue tomorrow morning.

Cover Photo via Flickr