Lehman blasts 'crazy' slow play rules

Former champion Tom Lehman had his own word for the Open slow play regulations today - "crazy".

Lehman and playing partner Brian Davis were in the second group of the day and they were followed by European Tour chief referee John Paramor for the last four holes.

Coming off the 18th tee, Lehman signalled Paramor to him and asked to know what was happening.

“Rounds with three-balls the first two days were taking up to five hours 15 [minutes] and we were round in three hours 42 today,” said the American, who was told that the maximum time allowed was three hours and 32 minutes.

“I don’t think it’s right. How can it be nearly two hours less when you’re playing as a two instead of a three? It’s crazy.

“I reckon we were getting timed half the day and early on it was a distraction. We played the first nine holes in one hour 45 and the guys behind [Nick Faldo and Ian Poulter] were a a hole behind. We never held them up.”

Lehman twice came perilously close to being officially warned by Paramor that he was one “bad time” away from being penalised a stroke.

Paramor’s stopwatch had the 1996 champion taking 44 seconds over both his last two drives – and he would have approached Lehman had it been a second more.