Brian Harman is not everyone’s favourite golfer to watch but with the introduction of range finders to the field at the RBC Heritage, he seems to be moving along quite nicely.
Harman is just three back of the leaders going into the final day and is looking for a second win this month after winning in Texas.
However, while Harman might be pushing for a win, a lot of the focus when it comes to him remains around his pace of play.
Harman has been called the slowest player on TOUR, and while Harman himself insisted he likes to play quick, the narrative remains that he is one of the slower players.
Now though, with range finders in use for the first time, the pace seems to have picked up across the board and Harman has given his verdict on allowing the use of tech.
Brian Harman shares verdict on using range finders at the RBC Heritage
As seems to be the norm with Brian Harman and any interview he does, the conversation turns towards the pace of play.
This time, though, it was more centred around the impact of the range finders and according to Harman, it is very much speeding things along.
“I think it was smart to start it this week. This is probably the fastest, as far as place that we play all year. We’re in pairs all week, hasn’t been super windy. Course has been fantastic,” Harman said.
“When you put us in twosomes, we’re going to play in under four hours. I think we had several rounds at Torrey this year that were under four hours in twosomes. So the more that we can do that, I think the better product that we have for sure. It moves along a lot better.
“I mentioned yesterday, I got asked almost the same question yesterday, it’s hard for slow players to hide in twosomes. You have to keep up, or somebody’s right on you getting warned, getting timed. Our rules officials have done a good job of keeping everybody moving.
“But this place, with it being so flat, wind’s down, we’re going to play fast out here.”
Why the PGA Tour are allowing range finders to be used
With slow play being a constant thorn in the side of the game, the ides behind the introduction of range finders to events is to simply see if it leads to improved speed of play.
After passing the motion to allow their use last year, PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan claimed this was a way of the TOUR listening to fan feedback.
“We’re listening to our fans, and we’re responding,” Monahan said. “I think there’s a real commitment from players across the board to make certain that we’re doing everything that we possibly can to improve. And these three steps are just a start.”
With the RBC Heritage ticking along nicely, it will be interesting to see any data come out of the event in terms of pace of play.
If it’s improved it, then don’t be surprised to see the use of tech in more events down the line.
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