Six of the world’s best golfers today predicted how the game of golf could change dramatically over the next 10 years including an increase in the speed of play, as the European Tour season kicks into gear at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship.
In the past the tournament has innovated with players seen wearing shorts during their practice rounds, testing new motorised ‘Golf Boards’ to reduce slow play and having music on the range.
The bank sponsor took world number 1 Brooks Koepka, defending champion Shane Lowry, two-time Abu Dhabi winner Tommy Fleetwood, 2017 Masters winner Sergio Garcia, five-time PGA Tour winner Bryson DeChambeau and two-time PGA Tour winner Patrick Cantlay to the home of innovation in Abu Dhabi - Masdar City. Standing in front of the Knowledge Centre, the players discussed the changes that could help golf thrive in the long-term.
The players made some striking predictions on topics including the pace of play. According to the six, a round of golf should take no longer than 3hours 20 minutes, with Bryson DeChambeau stating tournament rounds should take 3hours 30 minutes maximum.
Five of the players also stated that beyond their own personal success, they believe Rory McIlroy will win more majors this decade than any other player. Only Tommy Fleetwood had a different forecast, believing the fit again Tiger Woods would win more majors than anyone else on tour during the next decade.
