Ahead of the new 2020 season, the European Tour have decided to act over the issue of slow play which has become a hot button topic in golf recently.

Bryson DeChambeau received criticism for the time he took over certain shots at the Northern Trust tournament on the US PGA Tour, but the dam was going to burst at some stage.

The European Tour will impose a one-shot penalty on players that breach the time allowances twice in one round.

There will be a significant increase in fines for players who are regularly 'on the clock' during the season, alongside reduced times for players to take their shots. There's also the intention to reduce field sizes from 156 to 144 in certain cases.

The new season starts in Hong Kong at the end of November.

Tour CEO Keith Pelley said:

“We are already at the forefront of pace of play management in the professional game, but after being mandated by our Tournament Committee to be even firmer in dealing with this issue, the time was right to take these additional steps.

“I believe the plan we are implementing for the 2020 season will bring about meaningful change that will make golf even more enjoyable for the players and our fans, whether they are at the course in person or watching on television.”