Spieth baffled by slow-play penalty

Jordan Spieth was baffled by the Abu Dhabi Golf Championship organisers' decision to hand him a "monitoring penalty" for slow play during Thursday's first round.
The world number one, playing alongside rival Rory McIlroy and his American compatriot Rickie Fowler, received a warning for taking too long to take a putt on the eighth green, even though the following group of players were still some why from starting the hole.
"It didn't make any sense to me," Spieth told reporters after carding a four-under-par 68 on Thursday.
"The guys behind us hadn't even reached the fairway on a par five."
The rules for this week's event in Abu Dhabi dictate that players must play a shot within 40-50 seconds after they have been told that they are being monitored. A second warning will result in small fine.
Spieth was told on the ninth tee he had received a warning.
"I just made sure it didn't affect my round," Spieth said.
Meanwhile, Spieth was quick to praise McIlroy, after the four-time major winner carded a 66 in his first round.
"That’s the Rory I have seen win majors," the world number one continued.
"It was spectacular. He didn't miss many shots. If he keeps striking like that, I'm going to have to make it up somewhere else. I'm not capable of hitting it as far as he does. I hit it short and crooked."
Latest
-
News
Harry Hall opens three-stroke halfway lead at Charles Schwab Challenge
The Cornish rookie is chasing his first PGA Tour win after opening round of 62.
-
PGA Tour
England’s Harry Hall takes three-shot lead in Texas with career-best outing
He picked up eight birdies without dropping a shot and managed to save par from 15 and 30 feet.
-
Ryder Cup
Victor Perez to defend KLM Open title in race for Ryder Cup place
Perez has moved into the automatic qualifying places for the European Ryder Cup team.
-
PGA Championship
Michael Block in no rush to return to reality any time soon after US PGA heroics
Block almost stole the show from winner Brooks Koepka at Oak Hill, making a hole-in-one during the final round.
-
US Open
Tiger Woods withdraws from next month’s US Open
Woods pulled out of the Masters during the third round in April, saying at the time it was due to plantar fasciitis.
-
Ryder Cup
Brooks Koepka makes Ryder Cup statement with US PGA Championship success
LIV Golf’s Koepka moved up to second in the US Ryder cup rankings.
-
PGA Championship
Rory McIlroy proud of gritty effort at US PGA Championship
The 34-year-old followed an opening 71 with three straight 69s to finish two under par, seven shots behind winner Brooks Koepka.
-
PGA Championship
Club professional Michael Block relishing life-changing week at Oak Hill
The 46-year-old’s display captured the imagination of the spectators.
-
PGA Championship
Fifth major is the most meaningful, says US PGA champion Brooks Koepka
Koepka held off the challenge of Viktor Hovland and Scottie Scheffler to claim a third US PGA title.
-
PGA Championship
Brooks Koepka ‘at a loss for words’ at third US PGA crown
Fifth major success labelled ‘coolest thing’ after Koepka fought back from injuries and loss of form.