LIV Golf pro complains about pace of play at The Open: "Felt like we were on the course for 12 hours"

Marc Leishman has become the first player to hit out at pace of play at the 2025 Open Championship. 

Leishman carded a 2-over 73 in the first round of the final men's major of the year at Royal Portrush. 

The Australian used to ply his trade on the PGA Tour but decamped to LIV Golf in 2022. 

Leishman told reporters after his first 18 holes, which he played alongside former Open champion Stewart Cink and Italy's Matteo Manassero, that he felt as though his group were on the course for several hours. 

The threeball were playing behind Sadom Kaewkanjana, Riki Kawamoto and Sampson Zheng. 

"Felt like we were on the golf course for about 12 hours," Leishman said. 

"That was tough to deal with, especially coming from somewhere where we play in under four and a half every week."

Leishman stressed it was to be expected, particularly at an Open championship where the conditions change rapidly. 

"You got to deal with all that sort of stuff, and I felt like I dealt with it decently well," he said. "Just got a little frustrated there.

"I thought I was playing really good and not getting anything out of it, but the conditions were tough. Hopefully just get a good one going in the morning."

Leishman could not point to a reason when he was asked why rounds were taking so long. "Everyone [just] takes their time," he said. 

JJ Spaun given 'bad time'

The reigning US Open champion is playing in his first Open Championship this week. 

Spaun was out in the morning wave alongside Jon Rahm and Xander Schauffele and the group were put on the clock on the 18th hole, according to GOLF. 

The trio took five and a half hours to reach the 18th tee box and, according to bunkered, Spaun received a 'bad time' after taking more than 50 seconds to play his second shot. 

A second infraction will lead to a one-shot penalty for Spaun in round two. 

Justin Thomas' former caddie, Jim 'Bones' Mackay, also claimed on the US broadcast that Rahm's caddie Adam Hayes was involved in a 'tense exchange' with a rules official over what transpired.