Spieth perplexed by slow-play warning

Bryson Dechambeau of the Unites States aims on the 13th green during the round one of Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, Thursday, Jan. 21, 2016.

While eyes were on another American – the 22-year-old World No. one Jordan Spieth – DeChambeau fired a brilliant 64 to set the clubhouse target at eight under, one shot clear of Henrik Stenson. “Make it more fun everyone”, former world number five Ian Poulter said on his Twitter feed.

“There’s been times where it’s taken me at least four or five days to find the middle of the clubface, and there’s been times where it’s taken me a couple of hours and I’m right back into it”, McIlroy said.

The event’s marquee group, which included the world No. 1, Rory McIlroy, and Rickie Fowler, received a warning as they approached the fourth tee that Euro Tour chief rules official John Paramor was monitoring their time.

The 29-year-old began with a two-under-par 69 on the West Course at Royal Johannesburg & Kensington GC featuring three birdies and an eagle, but could only manage a two-over-par 74 on the East Course in round two despite three birdies. “It was the Rory that I have seen win major championships”, Spieth said.

The pack is still wide open with many in contention, with the likes of tournament back-to-back victor Martin Kaymer in tied 12th, along with the likes of Belgian Thomas Pieters and South Korea’s Byeong Hun An.

DeChambeau has two distinct swings with his driver – a “fairway finder” and “crank” swing for extra distance – but his irons have all been modified to be the length of a six iron. Rather than traditional numbering, they are differentiated by the degree of loft stamped on the sole. “That was one of the reasons why I took this step”. But he was left bemused after becoming the first high-profile player to receive a “monitoring penalty” for slow play.

“I probably just need a couple more weeks in the sun to get my legs out in public!” McIlroy shot 66. “The guys behind us hadn’t even reached the fairway”.

“But it doesn’t make a whole lot of sense when our group had caught up with the one in front, we were coming off the clock and it had no effect on the round”. Spieth apparently did not pull the trigger in time on the eighth green (17th hole of the day). I feel the refs have to use a bit of common sense’.

Defending the ruling, Paramor said he felt Spieth might have been confused because of a different interpretation on the PGA Tour.

“It (Abu Dhabi) has been a great way to start the year and I’ve always played well here, but I just haven’t been able to get the victories”.

McIlroy, who is paired with Spieth for the early round at Abu Dhabi, believes that could give him a better chance going to Augusta National in April.