PGA Tour pro SLAMS late tee times at US Open as golf fans jump in to the debate!

Golf fans around the world have been debating the later than usual final-round tee times at the US Open on Sunday, with those in the UK forced to stay up until after 3am on Monday if they want to watch the completion of the tournament. 

With the famous championship being staged on the west coast in California, the final group of the 123rd US Open will tee off at 2.30pm local time, which is 5.30pm eastern time and 10.30pm for those in the UK. 

Even Wyndham Clark, who shares the 54-hole lead with Rickie Fowler, admits the tee times were much too late on Saturday as darkness descended with three holes to play at Los Angeles Country Club.

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Rickie Fowler and Wyndham Clark share the lead heading into the final round of the US Open



Rory McIlroy is just one behind with World No.1 Scottie Scheffler three back in fourth



Who wins the US Open tonight?!

— GolfMagic (@GolfMagic) June 18, 2023

Clark told the New York Post:

Clark and Fowler are both going in search of their maiden major titles.

Rory McIlroy is also in the hunt for a fifth career major title and his first in nine years.

McIlroy trails by just one stroke heading into the final round.

World No.1 Scottie Scheffler is also lurking at just three strokes off the pace as he bids to capture his second major title. 

Watch: McIlroy brags 'I'm kind of a big deal' to Koepka

What are your plans then? #USOpen

— GolfMagic (@GolfMagic) June 18, 2023

US Open Final Round Tee Times (UK): 

• 2108 Patrick Cantlay, Padraig Harrington 
• 2119 Viktor Hovland, Min Woo Lee
• 2135 Hideki Matsuyama, Cameron Smith
• 2146 Bryson DeChambeau, Tom Kim
• 2157 Ryutaro Nagano, Xander Schauffele
• 2208 Harris English, Dustin Johnson
• 2219 Rory McIlroy, Scottie Scheffler
• 2230 Rickie Fowler, Wyndham Clark

What happens if the 2023 US Open goes to a playoff?

Should the US Open go further than the 72nd due to a tie, there will be a 2-hole aggregate playoff to decide the winner. 

If the scores are still tied, it will then be sudden death from there.

In 2018, the USGA announced that a two-hole aggregate playoff would replace an 18-hole playoff.

A playoff in the US Open has not happened since Tiger Woods memorably defeated Rocco Mediate (on one leg) back at Torrey Pines in 2008. 

Woods and Mediate were locked at level-par in the 18-hole playoff before Woods went on to lock up his third US Open title with a par at the first sudden-death hole. 

Anyone else annoyed the golf is on so late?!



Have the US Open had a mare on the tee times? pic.twitter.com/8z8WKKSspy

— GolfMagic (@GolfMagic) June 18, 2023

GolfMagic threw the topic of later than usual tee times onto our social media channels, and the responses were pretty much split down the middle.

Some golf fans were strongly in favour, especially with it allowing greater time to spend with the family on Father's Day.

Others, however, especially those on the other side of the pond in the UK, were fuming due to an early start for work on Monday. 

Let's take a look at some of the responses on our Facebook and Twitter channels: 

"I know my wife is happy!"

"Shockingly late, unbelievable Jeff!"

"Unreal, nobody in the UK can watch unless they've taken the day off work or staying up until after 3am."

"Fell asleep before Fowler was even on the 1st tee last night."

"They will all be using yellow balls on the back nine."

"Here in South Africa, the last group tees off past midnight. First time I remember it being on so late."

"It is what it is, no complaints."

"Not a fan of the course, not a fan of the tee times. Just an awful US Open."

"Even worse if it goes to a playoff."

"What are US Open officials thinking?!"

"I love it, it's Father's Day weekend and you get 8-10 hours of major golf to watch."

"I like it, am retired."

"Been waiting nine years to watch Rory win another major and not even going to be able to watch him do it."

"Such a good leaderboard too and nobody can watch it in Europe. Pathetic."

"Absolutely ridiculous viewing times in the UK, such a shame and a complete mess by the US Open. Learn the lesson from this for the future."

"I think it's fantastic, I can play golf, go out for an early dinner and then come home and watch the leaders tee off."

"Absolutely livid by it."

"It's pathetic."

"They're going to finish at around 5am in Europe. What a way to help grow the game!"

"Completely to the contrary, I love golf from the west coast. That means we get it in prime time on the east coast. Nothing better than that!"

"It’s a nightmare for us but it’s not all about Europe. They have to satisfy other markets such as Asia and the Far East over the course of the season."

"I actually prefer it. That way I can enjoy the day with family or whatever else and relax in the evening watching golf."

"Perfect Sunday, especially Father's Day."

"Dire as far as I'm concerned in the UK. Too late for me to watch and be able to work tomorrow."

"I feel sorry for people who have to get up early to go to work."

"It's brutal, not a fan."

"Are they wheeling out the floodlights for the closing stages?"

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