Golf fans were disappointed with the pace of play on day one at The Open, with rounds taking six hours over the Old Course at St Andrews.
Drivable par-4s, double greens and a steady wind may have contributed, but players and fans were unimpressed with how long the rounds were taking. Tiger Woods' group went out at 2.59pm local time and were approaching the final green six hours later, by which point the grandstands featured plenty of empty seats.
Collin Morikawa played with Rory McIlroy and Xander Schauffele on day one and said he didn't know that the pace of play would be this slow.
"I figured it would be slow, but I didn't know it would be this slow," the defending champion said after his opening 72. "We were waiting on groups at tees, waiting on fairways. Xander and I talked about it, we're watching more golf than we ever have.
"You stay in the fairway, and you're watching two other groups play golf. That's part of it this week of just staying patient and make sure you're not rushing your shots."
Richard Bland looking unimpressed with the pace of play
How social media viewed the slow play:
Tiger etc heading for six hour rounds. Unacceptable. Including for so many of the paying punters who have long since departed.July 14, 2022
Matt Fitzpatrick on the 6:09 round: “It’s sad, really. Should never happen in golf.”July 14, 2022
6+ hour pace of play here?That’s slower than a charity scramble where 80% of the golfers play once a year. This is silly. DQ the entire field. 😁July 14, 2022
⏰ 💤 🥱 6 HOUR ROUNDS — Pace of play during round 1 has been incredibly frustrating at St Andrews. #TheOpen pic.twitter.com/oeIrXDaIdhJuly 14, 2022
Going to be over 6 hours for a three ball, music to Greg Norman’s ears. What happened to penalising slow play?July 14, 2022
The group to just finish took 6 hours and 5 minutes to complete 18 holes at #TheOpen. And it’s not slow play. It’s not the players’ fault. Figure it out, R&A. Ridiculous.July 14, 2022
6 hours to get around is nothing short of disgraceful.#TheOpen #SecretTourProJuly 14, 2022
This is absolutely brutal pace of play.July 14, 2022
Who on planet earth is allowing a 3 ball to take 6 hours @TheOpen Get a grip!! #TheOpenJuly 14, 2022
It's been 4 hours and 20 minutes and Tiger's group is on the 13th fairway. Just *painfully* slow out there.July 14, 2022
VIDEO: Perks of winning The Open
-
-
Who is Belen Mozo? 15 Things You Didn't Know About The Solheim Cup Opening Ceremony Host
Get to know talented amateur Belen Mozo better
-
‘It Was Devastating’ - Bradley Reveals Netflix Filmed Ryder Cup Phone Call
Keegan Bradley says a Netflix film crew rushed around to his house to film him as he was told he didn't make the Ryder Cup team
-
WATCH: McIlroy Makes Remarkable Birdie To Take Share Of The Lead At BMW Championship
Rory McIlroy barely hit a fairway on day one at Olympia Fields but that didn't stop him opening up with a 65
-
Rory McIlroy Needs His Absolute 'A' Game To Win Majors - Harrington
Padraig Harrington explained that Rory McIlroy will need to have his overall game in place if he is to break his Major duck
-
McIlroy Battles Back For Level-Par Start At Royal Liverpool
Rory McIlroy's spectacular par save at the last meant that he would finish day one just five off the lead at The Open
-
'It's A Good First Step' - McIlroy Gives Update On Garcia Friendship
McIlroy and Garcia's relationship completely broke down following the inception of LIV Golf
-
MacIntyre Left 'Absolutely Gutted' But Near Miss In Scotland Boosts Ryder Cup Hopes
Robert MacIntyre was "gutted" to miss out on the Scottish Open, but his performance was a big boost to his Open and Ryder Cup chances
-
'Best Shot I've Hit All Year' - McIlroy On Epic Scottish Open 2-Iron
McIlroy sealed his first win in the Home of Golf in style with one of the best shots of his career
-
Open Championship TV Coverage 2023
Here are all the broadcast and television details for the final men's Major of 2023.
-
'You Need Something That Bubbles Over The Top' - What Hollywood Actress Kathryn Newton Would Put In The Claret Jug
Hollywood Actress Kathryn Newton answers Golf Monthly's Quick 9 questions from her dream fourball to her favourite club in the bag
