Faldo accuses Sabbatini of losing it

According to Nick Faldo, US Tour number one Rory Sabbatini “completely lost his head” in another slow play row this week.

Sabbatini protested to officials about being timed as he and playing partner Faldo both missed the halfway cut in the Players Championship at Sawgrass.

“We were put on the clock, but were back in place in one hole,” commented Faldo. “I don’t know what the problem was, but he completely lost his head. He lost the plot. He has to do it his way.”

That appeared to be a reference to the South African’s behaviour last June when he also objected to the pace American Ben Crane played at and stormed off ahead of him.

Sabbatini’s American wife Amy wore a T-shirt with the words “Keep Up!” on it yesterday.

Her husband thought that was “very creative”, but Faldo joked: “It’s very embarrassing for them to bring their sexual problems to the course.”

Sabbatini, who only last month said he was not going to let slow play affect him any more, is unhappy that officials are still timing whole groups rather than targeting individuals.

He wants stroke penalties to be imposed rather than fines handed out because “monetary fines don’t do anything” and added: “It’s a matter of respect for your playing partners.

“I was shocked I was put on the clock and it’s something that needs to be addressed. I don’t think it’s my job to enforce the rules – I believe officials should officiate.”

Amy Sabbatini has been in the news before. When Paul Casey made anti-Americans comments after the last Ryder Cup she confronted him with a T-shirt on which was written “Stoopid Amerikan”.