There comes a point when seeing an entity’s name in controversy becomes the norm rather than shocking. The same applies to LIV Golf. With its inception, it gave rise to debates. And while tons of changes may seem to be afoot following the billion-dollar merger, one thing remains constant: the controversies.

Recently again, similar trouble brewed surrounding the league at none other than the venue of their first ever European International Tournament: LIV Golf Valderrama. The reason? An unfavorable ruling for a 50-year-old LIV star.

LIV Golf Valderrama Drama enValderrama

The second round of LIV Golf Valderrama at the Real Golf Club seemed to go off without a hitch. Until the group of Dean Burmester, Sergio Garcia, and Richard Bland hit their fourth hole of the day (hole 8). That’s when one of the teammates was served a one-stroke penalty. But why you? Well, all thanks to golf’s ongoing crisis: slow pace!

According to the LIV Golf League Pace of Play Rule, every player gets a limited amount of time to play a stroke. This time is 40 seconds. If it is the first stroke of the group, then an additional 10 seconds are added to the time. Making it a total of 50 seconds. Richard Bland took 84 seconds to hit his tee shot. The group was already out of position and falling behind on par time.

Naturally, this broke the rules, leading to the officials warning the team and Bland receiving the one-stroke penalty. The one-stroke penalty unfortunately changed Bland’s bogey score of four on the par-3 15th hole to five. He eventually finished round 1 over par, dropping 14 places to T21.

Read More: 2023 LIV Golf Valderrama Power Rankings, Prize Money and Other Major Details

Bland has been with LIV Golf since 2022. He was there right from the inception of the league. He’s played in 16 events but never won as a single player. To date, his best performance for the league came during the LIV Golf Bangkok 2022 event, where he finished T3.

The issue of slow play plagues the PGA Tour as well

This is not the first time in 2023 that a slow-play incident has taken place. Patrick Cantlay of the PGA Tour did the same at the Masters earlier this year. His play ignited the massive ongoing controversy in the game. Since then, multiple people have been called out for their pace while playing events.

While the slow pace plagues the PGA Tour side too, unlike the Saudi side, the Tour has similar consequences for the action. This has triggered many, including the likes of golf legend Lee Trevino, who has made some strong statements and suggestions to get rid of the slow play problem. However, whether the Tour takes action on the issue remains to be seen.

Do you think the PGA Tour should replicate LIV and impose a seconds based penalty? Let us know in the comments below.

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