"I was sceptical but it works" Ryder Cup captains have solution for pace of play
Former Ryder Cup captains Bjorn and Harrington believe golf rangefinders should be used in every tournament to "help pace of play".
Former European Ryder Cup captains Thomas Bjorn and Padraig Harrington are in agreement that using the best golf rangefinders can help improve the pace of play in "all tournaments".
Harrington, 51, took to Twitter after his near-miss at the Senior PGA Championship over the weekend to reveal his admiration for using a golf rangefinder on Tour the past two weeks.
The three-time major champion was able to use a golf rangefinder at both the US PGA Championship at Oak Hill two weeks ago and last week's Senior PGA Championship at Fields Ranch East.
This is because the PGA permits the use of a rangefinder during competition.
The PGA lifted the rangefinder ban in 2021, but others have yet to follow suit.
After using a range finder for the last 2 weeks @PGAChampionship and @seniorpgachamp, I’ve come round to believing that we should use them in all tournaments. They really help with pace of play when players are out of position with an awkward yardage. @DPWorldTour @PGATOUR pic.twitter.com/QNwYB0uMfJ
— Padraig Harrington (@padraig_h) May 29, 2023
Rangefinders are currently prohibited on the PGA Tour, DP World Tour, The Masters, The Open and US Open.
The world's best women golfers will also be allowed to use a rangefinder at the KPMG Women's PGA Championship from June 22 to 25.
In the eyes of Harrington, a golf laser rangefinder, or a distance-measuring device (DMD) as many call it, can help speed up pace of play especially when players are out of position on the golf course.
Harrington wants to see them used every week on Tour, not just in PGA events.
Bjorn, 52, is in agreement:
I agree with this
I was sceptical but it works…@DPWorldTour @PGATOUR @RandA @USGA https://t.co/t57nPPX73o— Thomas Bjørn (@thomasbjorngolf) May 30, 2023
Pace of play was a serious talking point at this year's Masters, in particular the group involving Patrick Cantlay and Viktor Hovland in the final round at Augusta National.
One thing that did not speed up pace of play at the Senior PGA Championship was Harrington smashing his tee shot into the head of a golf fan.
That resulted in the Irishman taking a wad of cash out of his wallet, and telling the spectator to take his wife to dinner.
Harrington also admitted to taking the "longest pee ever", which ultimately cost him two strokes.
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Should golf rangefinders be permitted in every golf tournament to help speed up pace of play?
— GolfMagic (@GolfMagic) May 30, 2023
