• Ballantine's Championship, Round Three

Lawrie attacks 'joke' pace of play

ESPN staff
April 27, 2013
Paul Lawrie has waded into the slow play debate © Getty Images
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Former Open champion Paul Lawrie has brought the slow play debate back into the spotlight by launching a withering attack on the pace of play at the Ballantine's Champioship.

Lawrie was firmly in contention heading into the back nine in South Korea, but he dropped four shots in his final six holes and was clearly still smarting when coming off the course.

He turned on his mobile to vent his frustration on Twitter at the time it took to play 18 holes.

"5 hours 16 mins to play today, absolute joke as ever," Lawrie wrote. "How many players penalised or fined? Zero £unacceptablepaceofplay."

The authorities have been vocal in their claims that they are attempting to clamp down on slow play. Teenager Guan Tianlang was controversially docked a shot at the Masters for slow play, being the only player to incur a penalty despite the pace of play being slow.

It is believed that many players are frustrated by the pace of play, but Lawrie has gone public to put it in focus.

On the course at the Blackstone Golf Club, Alexander Noren will take a one-shot lead into the final round.

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