Retief Goosen today labelled Padraig Harrington, his rival for the European Order of Merit title, "definitely the slowest player on tour".
And Harrington responded by calling the South African "no boy racer himself".
Goosen is less than stg£30,000 ahead of Harrington entering the last three events, but the importance of being in front takes on a different meaning in the Telefonica Madrid Open starting tomorrow.
While Goosen tees off at 1.20pm with Lee Westwood and Soren Hansen, Harrington is at 1.30pm with Seve Ballesteros and Andrew Coltart.
"Luckily he is playing just behind me so I can finish," said defending champion Goosen in a rare moment of out-spokenness.
"He is on the limit every time. If you are allowed 40 seconds he will take 39.
"He is not getting fined, so he is fast enough. But he is definitely the slowest player on tour."
When that was put to Harrington, however, the Ryder Cup star said: "When did Retief last play with me? That's definitely the pot calling the kettle black and I hope he does not hold me up.
"I am not a candidate for the quickest, but I've changed my routine. I'm going to have to live with people saying things, though - even if I sprinted around somebody still would."
Goosen added: "In general most of the players have learnt to play quicker, but I think something's got to be done about the situation.
"I don't have a problem with slow play. As long as he's behind me that's fine.