'It's Just Got To Get Better' - CBS Announcer Calls Out Slow Play At Farmers Insurance Open
On the grounds at Torrey Pines, CBS' Dottie Pepper criticised the pace of play during the final round of the Farmers Insurance Open, as the final group took three hours to complete their front nine


Slow play has been a big talking point in professional golf over the past few years and, at the Farmers Insurance Open, it reared its ugly head once again.
At Torrey Pines, the wind was up during the final round and, in terms of pace of play, it took the final group of Harris English, Andrew Novak and Aldrich Potgieter three hours to play their front nine, something that CBS' Dottie Pepper called out on broadcast.
.@Dottie_pepper PREACH 🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻 pic.twitter.com/BebcTDyHP7January 25, 2025
Following the final group, who waited 15 minutes on the par 3 third hole on Saturday, Pepper stated on broadcast: "You know Frank (Nobilo), we're starting to need a new word to talk about this pace of play issue and its respect for your fellow competitors, for the fans, for broadcasting. It's just got to get better."
After the statement, Nobilo could be heard saying "well said," with the majority of social media seemingly agreeing with Pepper's comments, as many took to X/Twitter to voice their appreciation of Pepper's call-out.
Amongst the comments, one user wrote: "The pace of play needs to change on a go forward basis," whilst another stated: "Pace of play is insanely slow. Wish the tour would enforce it more than they do."
The final group of the Farmers Insurance Open took four hours to play 13 holes on Saturday
At last week's The American Express, groups took a near 5.5 hours to complete their final rounds and, with the rise of TGL, some players like Matt Fitzpatrick and Rickie Fowler have encouraged the element of a shot clock to help speed up proceedings.
However, speaking after his TGL side's victory against New York GC, Justin Thomas addressed the problem of slow play, stating: "You know, it's tough. Look, this is my 10th year on tour. I've been on the PAC a lot of years. We've talked about pace of play all 10 years...
Get the Golf Monthly Newsletter
Subscribe to the Golf Monthly newsletter to stay up to date with all the latest tour news, equipment news, reviews, head-to-heads and buyer’s guides from our team of experienced experts.
"Look, there definitely could be some things here and there that are done, but it's also -- I think there's, like, a Fan Forward survey that the Tour does with fans. They like harder golf courses, they like watching us play difficult places, but they want us to play faster, so those two don't go together. You've kind of got to pick and choose your battles."

Matt joined Golf Monthly in February 2021 covering weekend news, before also transitioning to equipment and testing. After freelancing for Golf Monthly and The PGA for 18 months, he was offered a full-time position at the company in October 2022 and continues to cover news and social media.
Taking up the game when he was just seven years of age, Matt made it into his county squad just a year later and continues to play the game at a high standard, with a handicap of around 2-4. To date, his best round came in 2016, where he shot a six-under-par 66 having been seven-under through nine holes. His favorite player is Rory McIlroy, despite nearly being struck by his second shot at the 17th during the 2015 BMW PGA Championship.
Matt’s current What’s In The Bag?
Driver: Honma TW747, 8.75°
Fairway Wood: Ping G430 LST 15°, 19°
Irons: TaylorMade P.7CB
Wedges: Cleveland 588 RTX 2.0 Tour Satin, 50°, 56°, 60°
Putter: Cleveland TFI 2135 Satin Cero
Ball: Titleist Pro V1
-
US Open Betting Tips And Odds: Final Round Picks
Who are we picking to win the 2025 US Open?
-
LIV Golf Carlos Ortiz Said He ‘Deserved’ To Be At US Open… A Year On And He’s Contending To Win It
A year ago, Carlos Ortiz claimed he warranted a place in the US Open field - now, he's in the mix to take the title at Oakmont
-
PGA Tour Set To Unveil NFL Executive As New CEO
It has been confirmed that NFL Executive Brian Rolapp is leaving the organization, with ESPN’s Adam Schefter reporting he will become the PGA Tour’s new CEO
-
NBC Sports Chief’s ‘Total Sideshow’ LIV Golf Comments Raise Two Key Questions - How Will Saudi-Backed Tour Respond?
After NBC Sports chief Sam Flood called it a "total sideshow" we look at how LIV Golf could respond, with another huge cash injection or a change in strategy
-
Joaquin Niemann Leapfrogs Scottie Scheffler And Rory McIlroy As Golf's Top Earner In 2025 After LIV Golf Virginia Victory
The Chilean's fourth win of the year secured another $4 million and consequently catapulted Niemann to the top of the on-course earnings across all tours
-
Ryan Fox Wins The RBC Canadian Open Via Playoff After 'Shot Of His Life'
The New Zealander defeated Sam Burns at the fourth playoff hole, with Fox producing the shot of his life via a 260-yard fairway wood
-
RBC Canadian Open 2025 Round Four Tee Times
Matteo Manassero and Ryan Fox lead a tightly-bunched leaderboard at TPC Toronto with both looking for the biggest win of their careers so far...
-
'Of Course It Concerns Me. You Don't Want To Shoot High Scores Like The One I Did Today' - Rory McIlroy Endures Torrid Eight-Over-Par Round To Miss RBC Canadian Open Cut
After his eight-over 78 at TPC Toronto, McIlroy revealed he will be 'testing quite a few drivers over the weekend' as his attention turns to Oakmont and the US Open
-
Rory McIlroy Among 10 Big Names Who Missed The Cut At RBC Canadian Open
McIlroy's struggles off the tee continued at TPC Toronto, with the five-time Major winner among the big names who missed the cut at the RBC Canadian Open
-
Rory McIlroy Makes Key Gear Changes Ahead Of RBC Canadian Open (And US Open)
The World No.2 has a new driver, 3-wood and 3-iron in the bag this week in Canada