Michael Kim can’t understand ‘head scratching’ PGA Tour decision made during the final round of The American Express

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The final round of The American Express at the Pete Dye Stadium Course hit the headlines – and not for the right reasons.

Much of the talk should have centred around Sepp Straka’s third and arguably most significant PGA Tour victory. Instead, the slow play issue was once again thrust into the spotlight.

It took the final group three-and-a-half hours to complete 11 holes, and on one occasion, the three-ball were stuck on a hole for over 30 minutes. Clearly, it’s a problem that needs to be rectified to ensure viewers don’t lose patience with the product.

There was also another problem with the final round, which one-time PGA Tour winner Michael Kim highlighted in his post-tournament debrief on X.

Michael Kim highlights ‘bad’ PGA Tour decision at The Amex

Taking to X, Kim wasn’t particularly happy with the set-up of the Pete Dye design during the final round.

“I hope the USGA or someone can figure out how to consistently create firm greens with a spray or something,” Kim said.

“It just completely changes the golf course. The new greens at the stadium weren’t that much different, but because they were new, they were firm, and it was cool to play the stadium that way.”

Kim continued: “That being said, the set-up Sunday with certain shots was a bit head-scratching. Tee boxes up on holes like 6 and 17 was a bad decision, imo. 17, the tee box at 165, would have been a great spot, but it was moved up to 140 middle. (Rarely) I agree with golf Twitter; courses should be harder when given that chance. Hitting a PW compared to 8i is obviously a big difference.”

• READ MORE: Justin Thomas had illegal club in his golf bag before The American Express tournament which he had to change

What Michael Kim said about slow play at The Amex

Kim, who is always active on social media, was then questioned on the pace of play in La Quinta. “Mike, pace of play at AMEX. Tough scene, eh? Agree with you on set-up, but it could have been a 7-hour round if they played the tips,” asked Smylie Kaufman.

Kim replied, “As you know when you tee off at 10, the pace of play is much better. My group played in 4:55 or something, so I didn’t notice a tonne.

“I find it funny how every amateur equates their normal rounds in a golf cart at their home course with PGA Tour rounds. Split tees, water all over, and traffic jams will occur; it’s inevitable. If all of you were that fast, Wednesday pro-ams wouldn’t take over 6 hrs, lol. Of course, many pros are slow, and it only takes a few slow ones to slow down the entire course. But the circumstances don’t help out either.”

What is next on the PGA Tour?

The Farmers Insurance at Torrey Pines is next on the PGA Tour schedule, although some high-profile withdrawals have already occurred.

Xander Schauffele is out through injury, and Collin Morikawa has also pulled out in the wake of the news that the Genesis Invitational will likely be played at the San Diego venue. Currently, only two of the world’s top ten are still in the Farmers Insurance field.

After the Los Angeles wildfires, the PGA Tour confirmed Riviera would not be hosting the prestigious Signature Event and that other venues were under consideration.

Next week’s AT&T Pro-Am at Pebble Beach will host a stacked field, however. Scottie Scheffler and Rory McIlroy are both set for their first PGA Tour start in 2025.