Jordan Spieth eager to get his legs out for the fans

Abu Dhabi: Jordan Spieth, the world number one, thinks it would be “awesome” for golf fans to see his legs while he is in action.

The American is one of many leading golfers to have endorsed the European Tour’s decision this week to allow players to wear shorts in practice rounds and pro-ams.

The Tour’s tournament committee unanimously voted in favour of the proposal in a bid to shed the sport’s stuffy image ahead of this weekend’s Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship.

Chief executive Keith Pelley approved a request from European captain Darren Clarke to allow his team to wear shorts in the oppressive heat and humidity ahead of last week’s EurAsia Cup in Kuala Lumpur.

“The players have embraced it,” Pelley said. “Shorts are a natural evolution to help modernise the game. It puts our players first and our fans first as well. The fashion of golf is something that the youth adopt.

“We will have strong rules, but there will be some fashion statements, and it’s a great start.”

Clarke and Lee Westwood also wore shorts in practice ahead of the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship on Tuesday, before the issue was debated that evening by the committee.

Speaking at a pre-tournament press conference at the Abu Dhabi Golf Club event, which began on Thursday, Spieth said: “I did not get the memo today or I would not be wearing pants right now. I think it’s awesome.

“I think it will be something that I would love to see on the PGA Tour as well. Guys seem to all love it over here. I’ve not heard one person, one Tour player complain about it.

“And most of the guys that are really talking highly of it are the older guys, oddly enough.”

The world number three, Rory McIlroy, was equally enthusiastic about the move.

“I think it’s a good idea, I just need a couple more weeks in the sun to get my legs out in public,” he said. “Sort of pale Irish skin doesn’t go so well.

“I don’t think it should be too big a deal. You look at every other sport and people are allowed to expose their legs, so I don’t see why we’re not allowed to do that either.

“I don’t think it takes anything away from the tradition of the game or etiquette or how guys look on the course. Obviously we are not going to go out in shorts at the Open Championship if it’s 10 degrees and raining. “But at the same time, if we’re playing in a hot country and it’s more comfortable for guys to wear shorts, then there’s no reason why they shouldn’t be able to.”

Tournament officials will hence consult with local promoters to ensure players wearing shorts will not cause offence and if there are any objections, they will not be allowed that week.