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Wayne Riley hits out at Webb Simpson for slow play at Honda Classic

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Wayne Riley is not impressed with Webb Simpson's pace of play during the final round of the Honda Classic, and Radar labelled the American 'selfish'.

Wayne Riley described Webb Simpson as "selfish" as the issue of slow play in golf was again a big talking point on the final day of the Honda Classic.

Radar was following the penultimate group at PGA National which paired Simpson with Tommy Fleetwood, who led the tournament early on the back nine despite being held up by the deliberate American.

Webb Simpson came under fire from Radar over his pace of play at PGA National
Image: Webb Simpson came under fire from Radar over his pace of play at PGA National

Simpson was the main cause of the pair being a hole behind the group in front, while the final pairing of Justin Thomas and Luke List were also kept waiting several times, particularly around the turn.

But Sky's on-course commentator aired his views in no uncertain terms on the 13th fairway, when Fleetwood knocked his second into the fringe and had to wait before starting his stroll towards the green as Simpson took extra time weighing up his options for his third shot.

Slow play: Viewers' views
Slow play: Viewers' views

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Simpson was in no hurry as he discussed club selection with his caddie and, when finally over the ball, he backed off when the group behind lost patience and teed off.

The former US Open champion backed off yet again moments later as he did not feel comfortable with the shot, and he changed clubs before finally sending his short-iron to the back of the green.

Tommy Fleetwood during the final round of the 2018 Honda Classic on The Champions Course at PGA National
Image: Tommy Fleetwood was frequently held up by his playing partner

"Watch Webb Simpson? I'd rather stick needles in my eyes," said an unimpressed Radar, who insisted that Simpson had been playing far too slowly for the previous six holes.

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A PGA Tour official belatedly arrived on the 14th, presumably to warn Simpson to speed up his game, and that was the hole where Fleetwood's challenge for the title took a big hit when he three-putted for bogey.

SAN DIEGO, CA - JANUARY 28:  J.B. Holmes plays his shot from the fifth tee during the final round of the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines South  on J
Image: JB Holmes took over four minutes to play a shot at Torrey Pines last month

Radar's criticism of Simpson was well-received on the Sky Sports Golf social media platforms, and it is the latest in a series of slow-play incidents that have prompted widespread criticism in recent weeks.

JB Holmes was in the firing line at Torrey Pines last month when his threeball took over six hours to complete their final 18 holes, with Holmes taking over four minutes to play his second shot to the 72nd hole.

PGA Tour Golf

The issue was again a hot topic during the Genesis Open at Riviera, where the pace of play over the first two rounds was too slow to beat daylight, while the likes of Kevin Na and Patrick Cantlay were accused of pushing the boundaries for acceptable pace of play.

Was Radar right to criticise Simpson? Let us know by tweeting us @SkySportsGolf

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