The 2025 KPMG Women’s PGA Championship, held at Fields Ranch East, has been marred by persistent slow play issues since the tournament began, much to the frustration of players and fans alike. With a record purse of $12 million, expectations were high, but prolonged delays—sometimes exceeding six hours per round—have disrupted the flow of the competition. Nelly Korda, one of the top contenders, expressed her growing irritation with the situation as it threatens to undermine the championship atmosphere.

Competing just weeks after a close runner-up finish at the U.S. Women’s Open, Korda aims to capture redemption and the coveted trophy. Currently tied for sixth, she faces not only tough course conditions but also the challenge of staying mentally resilient amidst the constant interruptions caused by slow play. Korda’s usual composed demeanor has been tested by the slow pace, prompting her to voice her feelings openly.

Nelly Korda on the Struggle to Maintain Focus amid Repeated Delays

In a press conference following the third round, Korda was asked how she manages to keep her focus and patience despite lengthy pauses in the game, intensified by extreme heat and challenging course layouts. She responded plainly, emphasizing,

“Well, there is nowhere to go, so just patience.”

—Nelly Korda, Golfer

She acknowledged that such delays are already a familiar nuisance on the LPGA Tour, reflecting on previous experiences like last year’s Annika Tournament where slow play extended rounds well into near darkness. Korda elaborated,

“I mean, I feel like I’ve—we’ve had lots of situations in the past, like a year, where, like, we’ve had to wait a long time, so unfortunately, we’re kind of used to it,”

—Nelly Korda, Golfer indicating how these interruptions are a chronic problem rather than an isolated occurrence.

Korda further stressed the impact of slow play on a player’s rhythm and momentum:

“You don’t want to be spending 20 minutes and getting up to the next tee, and then you’re 15 minutes and getting up to the next tee, and it’s another 15 minutes,”

—Nelly Korda, Golfer explaining there is no continuous flow in the game, which harms concentration and performance. The extreme heat, alongside a stringent course setup with tight pin positions and strategic designs, forces players into cautious strategies that lengthen the rounds and test endurance.

Despite the widespread frustration, Korda seeks to maintain composure, acknowledging shared hardships among players:

“You just kind of have to go with it. Everyone is going through it, everyone is dealing with it, and everyone is playing the same golf course,”

—Nelly Korda, Golfer she also remarked on the necessity for creativity and patience during these trying conditions, adding,

“You just kind of have to be really creative and really patient,”

—Nelly Korda, Golfer.

Lexi Thompson’s Experience Under Official Scrutiny for Slow Play

Lexi Thompson, currently tied for third place just above Korda on the leaderboard, has also faced considerable challenges due to the sluggish pace at Fields Ranch East. Her group was placed “on the clock,” a disciplinary measure where players are timed per shot to curb delays. Thompson shared,

“We were warned and then put on the clock for maybe two to three holes, two and a half holes,”

—Lexi Thompson, Golfer describing the added pressure this imposed on performance.

The front nine alone took Thompson and her group three hours to complete, exacerbated by erratic winds and difficult pin placements. She highlighted how tactical play influenced by environmental conditions slows progress:

“It’s super windy, and you have to back off shots because of gusts and everything like that,”

—Lexi Thompson, Golfer This cautionary approach to avoid risky shots prolongs each round and can disrupt players’ concentration and momentum.

Wide Impact and Growing Concern Over Slow Play in Women’s Golf

Slow play, far from being a sporadic inconvenience, has become a persistent obstacle on the LPGA Tour and particularly problematic at this year’s Women’s PGA Championship. Players like Korda and Thompson, despite their skill and competitive spirit, find their performance compromised by these extensive delays and conditions. The issue not only strains the players’ mental stamina but also diminishes the viewer experience and threatens to erode the tournament’s reputation.

Even veteran players such as Charley Hull and Stacy Lewis have voiced their frustrations, underscoring the tournament-wide nature of the problem. At Erin Hills and other recent events, similar complaints have surfaced, revealing that slow play is an endemic challenge with no quick solution. The ongoing tensions emphasize the urgent need for better pace-of-play management to preserve the sport’s integrity and excitement.

Looking Ahead: Can Nelly Korda Overcome Slow Play and Claim Victory?

As the 2025 KPMG Women’s PGA Championship progresses toward its final rounds, all eyes remain on Nelly Korda. Her ability to navigate the frustrating delays, oppressive heat, and challenging course conditions will be crucial if she intends to seize the tournament title. While slow play continues to disrupt the rhythm for everyone on the course, Korda’s composed yet candid response reflects the wider struggles faced by players in the modern game.

The persistent calls for improved tournament pacing and player discipline suggest that organizers may need to implement stricter measures going forward to maintain competitive fairness and viewer engagement. Until then, patience remains the only reliable strategy for those chasing victory amid this ongoing battle of endurance and focus.