PGA Tour Innovates: NBC’s New Graphic Aids Pace of Play
In a bid to enhance spectators’ experience, NBC Sports debuts a real-time graphic revealing slow players during the BMW Championship, with Patrick Cantlay and Shane Lowry under the spotlight.
NBC Sports’ Transparent Approach
On Saturday, during the third round of the BMW Championship, NBC Sports made a significant stride in addressing the contentious issue of slow play on the PGA Tour. For the first time, the network displayed a graphic inlay that highlighted the real-time cumulative delay of each playing group relative to the ‘time par’ of each hole.
During the broadcast, Patrick Cantlay and Shane Lowry’s group found themselves under official surveillance for their pace, with the inlay showing a seven-minute delay by the 11th hole. Referees and viewers could now see the issue unfold live, as Golf Channel‘s Mark Dusbabek confirmed.
Cantlay in the Spotlight Again
This public approach contrasts with the PGA Tour’s previous reserved tackling of slow play, often associated with Patrick Cantlay, who has been at the center of controversies in recent seasons. While Cantlay’s partner publicly advocated for harsher penalties against late players, the PGA Tour has promised increased transparency on the matter throughout the 2025 season.
Public Scrutiny: A Tool to Speed Up Professional Golf?
By displaying playing times publicly, the PGA Tour aims to subject players to more social pressure, fostering faster play. Although Cantlay and Lowry didn’t receive formal penalties during this tournament, the warning was publicly aired, potentially influencing future behavior.
It remains to be seen whether this new approach, pioneered by NBC Sports, will successfully accelerate play on American fairways.