David Howell, the former Ryder Cup player who chairs the European Tour Tournament Committee, warned that "miracle shots" could become a "thing of the past if top golfers are forced to adhere to strict time limits," according to Alasdair Reid of the LONDON TIMES. The Tour is set to trial a "shot clock" system at the Austrian Open next June. With a referee following every group, players will be allowed 40 seconds to play each shot, "with any breach of that limit attracting an immediate one-stroke penalty." Howell is in favor of the experiment, but "rejected suggestions that it could become standard practice." To allow the trial to take place, he said that the Austrian event will have a reduced field, but added that "scaling up to larger tournaments would be impractical." Howell added, "We've discussed it and agreed it should take place. Among the committee, we think it's worthwhile trialing that week in those specific circumstances." However, three-time major champion Padraig Harrington gave the innovation a "cautious welcome." Harrington: "I approve of it. It's actually pretty lenient. Forty seconds is a long time to hit a golf shot, so it's a good idea" (LONDON TIMES, 10/6).
