Rory McIlroy suggests shrinking field sizes to improve pace of play ahead of AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am

Rory McIlroy has offered his solution to improve the pace of play; the 35-year-old will be aiming to secure career Grand Slam in 2025 at The Masters and win elusive fifth major; watch McIlroy feature in AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am, live on Sky Sports Golf from Thursday

Rory McIlroy has offered his solution to improve the pace of play by shrinking field sizes.

McIlroy will be making his first start on the PGA Tour this season as part of a star-studded field at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am – live on Sky Sports Golf.

The Northern Irish star believes shrinking field sizes will contribute to improving the pace of play after the the final round groups at the American Express and Farmers Insurance Open took in the region of five-and-half hours to get round.

This isn’t a new problem, this has been around forever, but slow play was also around when people seemingly loved golf. I don’t know what the answer is,” said McIlroy.

“There’s a lot of different answers but not every answer is going to make everyone happy.

“I could say smaller fields. Smaller fields would help pace of play but that takes away playing opportunities from people and that’s going to **** some people off.

“The other thing is, when we play in this time of the year, the tee times have to be a little bit tighter together so that they can get everyone through with daylight.