McIlroy admits he’s fed up talking about slow play

Rory McIlroy admits he’s had his fill of slow play chat this season.

This was the reaction from the four-time Major winner when asked to comment on the European Tour’s 4-point plan to help eradicate Tour tortoises ahead of this week’s PGA Tour season-ending Tour Championship at East Lake in Atlanta

McIlroy has long been an outspoken player when it comes to pace of play on the PGA Tour, and he’s made this point well known as a member of the Tour’s Player Advisory Committee.

“I saw the European Tour released a four-point plan, but I only read the headline,” he said when asked about the European Tour move.

“I didn’t go deeper into it. I’ve had enough of the slow play stuff. I had two hours of it last week at the player advisory council meeting, and that came to nothing.”

The European Tour’s 4-point plan differs in that it will include increased timing of players and more proactive targeting of slower players. Players will also be penalized a stroke after just two bad times. There will also be education for new members of the Tour.

McIlroy was not aware of fuller details but he did put forward his own solution even though there should not be a concern this week in suburban Atlanta with only 30 players in the field

“Seriously, it’s like traffic, right? You get 156 in the field, and it’s hard to get those guys around quickly,” he said.

“Even last week, 70, there was no mention of pace of play.

“I’m in a privileged position that I can say that because I’m going to get into a field of 30 or 70. Obviously, guys that are not quite in my position would disagree with that but if you want to speed up play, cut the field sizes.”

One in favour of the European Tour initiative to commence on January 1st next year is current World No. 1 Brooks Koepka.

“Perfect and we should adopt it,” said Koepka.

“I’d love to see how many bad times guys get. I think you’ll see some urgency to play.”

McIlroy gets his Tour Championship bid underway at 18.45 Irish time this evening.

The Tour Championship starting grid:

1. Justin Thomas -10
2. Patrick Cantlay -8
3. Brooks Koepka -7
4. Patrick Reed -6
5. Rory McIlroy -5
6. Jon Rahm -4
7. Matt Kuchar -4
8. Xander Schauffele -4
9. Webb Simpson -4
10. Abraham Ancer -4
11. Gary Woodland -3
12. Tony Finau -3
13. Adam Scott -3
14. Dustin Johnson -3
15. Hideki Matsuyama -3
16. Paul Casey -2
17. Justin Rose -2
18. Brandt Snedeker -2
19. Rickie Fowler -2
20. Kevin Kisner -2
21. Marc Leishman -1
22. Tommy Fleetwood -1
23. Corey Connors -1
24. Sungjae Im -1
25. Chez Reavie -1
26. Bryson DeChambeau E
27. Louis Oosthuizen E
28. Charles Howell III E
29. Lucas Glover E
30. Jason Kokrak E