Two-time major champion Justin Thomas isn’t afraid to admit that he’s one of the slower players on the PGA Tour — and he’s even open to the idea of being publicly called out for it.
Slow play has been a long-standing issue in professional golf, frustrating players, fans, and officials alike. Rounds lasting over six hours and the lack of consistent enforcement have made it a hot topic for years. Now, Thomas is stepping up and owning his role in the problem.
“I’m the first to admit — I’m on the slower side,” Thomas said. “It bothers me.”
It’s not often that a top player acknowledges their pace of play so openly. But Thomas isn’t just accepting it — he’s supporting the PGA Tour’s proposed plan to hold players more accountable for slow play, including the possibility of publicly naming those who consistently take too long.
PGA Tour’s Plan to Tackle Slow Play
The PGA Tour is exploring new measures to speed up play, including posting the names of slow players in locker rooms — or even making the information public. Commissioner Jay Monahan recently announced that these changes are aimed at encouraging faster play.
Thomas believes that the potential for public exposure could motivate players to pick up the pace.
“If we put it in the locker room or out there for everyone to see — which it obviously would be — nobody wants to be known as that player,” Thomas explained.
Public accountability isn’t a new concept in golf. The DP World Tour experimented with publicly tracking player pace back in 2020, which sparked plenty of debate. However, the PGA Tour has been more reserved about addressing slow play, typically opting for warnings and fines over more serious penalties.
Thomas Wants to Improve His Pace
While some players might resist being labeled as slow, Thomas seems willing to make adjustments. He’s even reached out to Tour officials for guidance on how to improve his pace of play.
“I don’t think I’m overly slow,” he said. “But I’ve asked them, ‘Hey, am I? And if so, what’s causing it? What do I need to change?’”
This level of self-awareness is refreshing, especially in a sport where routines and habits are deeply ingrained. Thomas isn’t planning to rush through his shots, but his willingness to address the issue sets him apart from other players who may be less receptive to change.
Will Public Shaming Fix Slow Play?
Despite the ongoing complaints about slow play, enforcement has been inconsistent. Penalties are rare, with most slow players receiving warnings or small fines that don’t seem to make much of an impact.
There have been a few notable exceptions — Guan Tianlang famously received a penalty for slow play at the 2013 Masters at just 14 years old. More recently, John Catlin faced similar penalties on the DP World Tour. But these cases are few and far between.
Would naming and shaming actually work? That’s hard to predict. Fans and players already know who the slowest players are, but public exposure might create more pressure to change.
However, Thomas believes real change might require more than just accountability — he suggests that penalty strokes could be the real motivator. A penalty stroke could mean the difference between winning and finishing fifth, which could affect world rankings, eligibility for major events, and even Ryder Cup selections.
For now, Thomas is ready to take responsibility, even if that means being one of the names listed for slow play. The big question is whether other players will follow his lead — and whether the Tour’s new approach will finally speed up the game.
