Brian Harman nudged himself into contention at the RBC Heritage after a healthy second round of two under par left him just five shy of the lead.
With Justin Thomas leading the way at the top, Harman plotted his way around Harbour Town Links with minimal fuss to put himself in the mix for a second win in a month.
Harman won the Valero Texas Open a few weeks back and after struggling to build on his win at The Open in 2023, he’s looking to get back to consistently contending.
But, while Harman is a fine golfer, he’s also known for being one of the main culprits contributing to the slow play culture out on the PGA Tour.
Golf fans hammered Harman at the Valero for his slowness, while experienced caddie Billy Foster has named Harman among the slowest players on TOUR.
However, in an interview that will raise eyebrows after round two of the RBC Heritage, Harman has actually claimed he prefers playing quick.
Brian Harman makes comment on pace of play after being accused of being one of the slowest on the PGA Tour
Speaking to the media after his second round 69 put him in a tie for 8th, Harman had it put to him that he’d got round quicker than normal.
However, he suggested that history would suggest he’s always around the same time.
“I think, if you went back and looked at historically what our Saturdays and Sundays here were in twosomes, they would be right around the same.
“100 percent [the benefit of having a signature event]. In threesomes with split tees, there’s nowhere to go. You just can’t play. We would be probably 4:45 to 5 in threesomes here off of two tees.”
“Yeah, it’s one of those things. That’s what the TOUR is trying to figure out how we’re going to balance it. I don’t think the TOUR really wants to shrink fields, but we can’t finish in daylight. The courses get harder every year. Guys take longer because the courses are harder, and we can’t finish.”
Continuing the interview, Harman was asked if he prefers playing quickly and in an answer that will confuse many a golf fan, he suggested he’s always preferred to play quicker since being a child.
“In a twosome, if you are a slow player, you can’t really hide. I would bet you everyone in a twosome plays faster than they do in a threesome anyway.
“It certainly helps [playing quicker] to get in a rhythm. If you’re standing around watching the group in front of you all day, it’s hard to — you have to find things to occupy your mind. I’ve played fine in threesomes, but I would prefer it, especially on the weekend, to be in twosomes.”
How the PGA Tour are trying to solve slow play
The PGA Tour have been trying to get to grips with slow play for decades now. It’s an ongoing issue which ,over the years, everyone has had a say on.
In more recent times, there’s been suggestions that a ‘name and shame’ system could come into play, where players actively see where they are on the slow list.
Indeed, that is something Collin Morikawa called to come into force, as he offered up his brutal suggestion for combating the issue.
“I think it should be released, I don’t know why you wouldn’t want it released, and I think after talking with some guys, I think you just have to start stroking guys and giving guys actual penalties, whether it be strokes or FedEx Cup. What I’ve learned is that monetary fines are useless,” Morikawa said.
Quite whether the PGA Tour will get to that stage, remains to be seen but Harman’s comment on him actually wanting to be quick, is a bit baffling.
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