News

Justin Thomas “hurt” after “unfortunate” Twitter spat with the USGA over the rules of golf; meeting pending

Published

5 years ago

Mar 4, 2019

Justin Thomas has not been shy this year when it comes to criticizing the new rules of golf and how the USGA has implemented those rules, and over the weekend while Thomas was in action at the Honda Classic, the relationship between the two appeared to come to breaking point.

Before the event at PGA National began, Thomas described the rule changes made from the USGA and R&A which came into effect on January 1st as “terrible” in a pre-tournament presser. While after he was unable to replace a club mid-round on Thursday which he bent after playing a shot from behind a tree, the 25-year-old stated that “You can just add that one to the list of rules that don’t make any sense.”

Thomas’ mood didn’t improve after finding out that fellow pro Adam Schenk was assessed a two-stroke penalty on Friday for violation of Rule 10.2b after Schenk’s caddie was judged to have been standing directly behind Schenk as he took his stance on the par-3 17th hole.

Clearly dismayed with the ruling, Thomas took to Twitter to re-ignite his feud with the USGA with a series of tweets criticizing the decision.

#growthegame @USGA https://t.co/jc5E0Y7TjP

— Justin Thomas (@JustinThomas34) March 2, 2019

Exactly. A lot of times caddies just stand back there and talk. Whether it’s the yardage we have, etc. or maybe I ask him to assess my lie and that’s the most sensible place to look at it, from behind. I agree lining somebody up.. but if the caddie clearly isn’t, unnecessary

— Justin Thomas (@JustinThomas34) March 2, 2019

What happened next is unprecedented, with the USGA’s Twitter PR account directly tweeting Thomas and asserting that the two need to talk, while claiming that Thomas had “cancelled every meeting we’ve planned with you.”

Justin, we need to talk. You’ve cancelled every meeting we’ve planned with you, but we are reaching out again. We were at the first 5 events, and tournaments last year, and your tour has had a seat at the table for 7 years. We’d love nothing more than to give you a seat. Call us.

— USGA PR (@USGA_PR) March 2, 2019

It’s unknown who exactly was behind the USGA’s tweet to Thomas, but after Sunday’s round at PGA National, Thomas described the incident as “unfortunate” and how he felt hurt, particularly with the organizations claim that he had cancelled every meeting with them, a claim which he stated was false, per Golf Channel.

“It really hurt me; it was upsetting to me because the information they put out there wasn’t accurate in terms of me cancelling meetings and that doesn’t make me look good.

That’s just when I got a little upset and we had communication with them (the USGA) because I know those guys, I’ve talked to them about the rules this year. We’re trying to communicate and get better relationships with them. All we’re looking (to do) is better the sport.”

A follow-up tweet from the USGA PR account confirmed that Thomas had been in contact offline and that a meeting between the two is in the offing. According to Thomas, however, no date has yet been set.

“We’ve tried to get on a couple calls, and I was in the middle of this three-week stretch, so I was like, look, I’m sorry, this time isn’t very good. But we’re definitely going to talk at some point, but we’ve had conversations this year multiple times with a couple different people.

“It’s not like it hasn’t happened. It’s just, it hasn’t the last three weeks because I’ve been at a tournament, and that’s my main focus.”

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Gianni Magliocco

Gianni is the Managing Editor at GolfWRX. He can be contacted at [email protected].

23 Comments

Tiger Noods

Mar 4, 2019 at 3:33 pm

OK, so let’s say JT didn’t make some meetings. Does that change anything? No, it doesn’t. The rule is still ambiguous.

If the USGA says, “We are still ready to meet with you; just find a time and we’re there,” Ok, no big deal. What was tweeted was a call out. It was “the boss” embarrassing that crap-talking employee. And under what circumstance now does anyone think this will be in good faith?

The USGA was wrong. They continue to be wrong. They have botched the rollout monumentally. And now they are tired of hearing how badly they’ve screwed this up. Of course, it’s not going to stop, and this needs to cost people their jobs at the USGA.

Reply Report comment
Im A Unicorn

Mar 4, 2019 at 2:27 pm

seems like he can dish out the smack… but can’t take it when it comes back round his way

Reply Report comment
Early Extender

Mar 4, 2019 at 2:25 pm

I don’t know many fans or players, if any, who would argue that the new rules are an improvement. And I’m a JT fan. That being said, saying you were “hurt” after being confronted by a body you’ve repeatedly criticized lately is a total millennial snowflake move. Man up, set them straight if need be. But don’t act like a victim, even if what they said wasn’t accurate.

Reply Report comment
- James
  
  Mar 4, 2019 at 2:45 pm
  
  Agreed that “hurt” was a pretty b*tchy word to use. However, it doesn’t mean his argument is unfounded. Personally, I like RF’s approach: mock the insanity.
  
  Reply Report comment
- Belacyrf
  
  Mar 5, 2019 at 7:38 am
  
  I say the rules are an improvement and think these PGA children need to learn to adapt to CHANGE like the rest of us do in the real world. Stop whining and taking to the internet like spoiled children and reach out to have an adult conversation with adults who are trying to do what they can to make the rules simpler.
  
  I’ve found most of the people out in social media don’t even know the reasoning behind the rules. It’s insane to think that brand new rules might not need some tweaking, but to cry as if their lives are wreck because they need to adapt to change… typical spoiled brat behavior.
  
  Reply Report comment
Dennis

Mar 4, 2019 at 2:10 pm

I don’t care. Which shirt is he wearing in the picture?

Reply Report comment
Mower

Mar 4, 2019 at 1:29 pm

Just like in the movies when you’re not expected to show up in a closed meeting. “Sir! You’re not allowed in here!” Exclaims the secretary.

Justin swings open the door to the great room. “I’m here bi**hes!”

Reply Report comment
Travis

Mar 4, 2019 at 12:23 pm

Don’t poke the dog and get upset when it bites you. The USGA rules have been controversial, but JT’s conduct in addressing the USGA has been confrontational and childish.

Reply Report comment
- James
  
  Mar 4, 2019 at 2:41 pm
  
  Calling a spade a spade is not confrontational, except to parasites. Brutal honesty is necessary in a free and just society and the USGA is nothing. Who appointed these armwaving children as the gods of golf?
  
  Reply Report comment
- Tiger Noods
  
  Mar 4, 2019 at 3:28 pm
  
  Has it? Before you reconsider, think presidentially…
  
  Reply Report comment
Terry Dixon

Mar 4, 2019 at 12:10 pm

What we need is USGA-A, United States Golf Association for Amateurs and our own set of simple rules

Reply Report comment
Jack

Mar 4, 2019 at 11:50 am

The USGA is hurting themselves once (how ’bout many dozen times) again. The USGA needs a lesson in communications themselves. It is the USGA that will be damaged by their tactics, not the tour pros.

Reply Report comment
EA

Mar 4, 2019 at 11:40 am

JT – if your schedule was so busy and your main focus was on golf, why setup multiple meetings or calls in the first place? You state that golf is your main focus but you have no problem with scheduling and then cancelling calls due to “golf tourney just popped up” had to cancel. You have plenty of time to tweet and bitch but when someone says let’s talk, all of the sudden you’re busy.

Reply Report comment
dat

Mar 4, 2019 at 10:41 am

More corporate decision making to keep those fat cats in a job when it actually harms the game. Pathetic.

Reply Report comment
James

Mar 4, 2019 at 10:33 am

CYA USGA! Nice ring. There were no meetings scheduled and you lied about them to discredit Justin. “Call us” does not mean a meeting is scheduled. Just because you write them down doesn’t mean they are mutually agreed to. Now get a job instead of being a bunch of overpaid blueblood talkers and armwavers.

Reply Report comment
Brian McGranahan

Mar 4, 2019 at 10:24 am

What a snowflake. Boooohoooo, I don’t like a rule and want it changed.

Reply Report comment
Dave

Mar 4, 2019 at 10:14 am

I’m tired of the USGA always being the story. Some of these changes have missed the mark. Why is an Ob ball penalized different from a ball hit into a water hazard? Isn’t the water hazard ball by definition ob? The drop rule is bad. Why penalize a player if he/she drops from higher than knee height? I get what the USGA is trying to do, but I think some if these changes have missed.

Reply Report comment
Eastpointe CC

Mar 4, 2019 at 9:36 am

All of the rule changes this year and ridiculous FOR THE PROS. For us hacks they are beneficial. There needs to be 2 sets of rules. Also if they really want to speed up play all they need to do is allow range finders. There is so much guess work that it doesn’t really change anything except speed up play.

I may be i the minority but I LOVE the fact that the USGA called him out. AND I fully believe that he canceled these meetings with them.

Reply Report comment
iutodd

Mar 4, 2019 at 8:20 am

What BS from the USGA. Calling a professional golfer out on Twitter like that makes your PR department look like they don’t know what they’re doing and that the USGA has a bad relationship with the players.

And it’s hugely unprofessional on the part of whoever runs that Twitter account. Grow the game?

Reply Report comment
JD

Mar 4, 2019 at 8:13 am

This is turning into the NFL, ambiguous rules that make no sense. All it is going to take to ascend into full chaos is someone with a one stroke lead in a major being assessed a two stroke penalty that costs him a trophy.

Like NFL refs, they are going to put these rules officials in the position of making judgement calls dependent on the circumstance. Imagine having to give Tiger a penalty after failing to drop the ball correctly after hitting one in the water on 12 at Augusta. That guy would be clubbed in the parking lot.

Reply Report comment
- scooter
  
  Mar 4, 2019 at 3:17 pm
  
  Funny you mention Tiger and Augusta … but the incorrect drop after hitting the flagstick and going in the water already happened years ago and the hole was #15 … and he was penalized without any bloodshed (although a lot of hand wringing about dis-qualification). Lets face it, guys have lost majors for rules infractions … see DJ.
  
  Reply Report comment
Ryan Barry

Mar 4, 2019 at 7:58 am

He’s a child and has acted like one for years. If the average golfer breaks a club he doesn’t leave his buddies and go home to get a replacement, etc. Play without it, you’re a pro. If the rule is your Caddie can’t be behind you in stance, then make sure your Caddie isn’t there. What’s the big deal? If they warn him and two guys make less money for his strokes, how is that fair to those players losing purse?

Reply Report comment
Erik Morden

Mar 4, 2019 at 7:47 am

Why do they want to talk to him are they upset that he is actually calling them out for being stupid. I also want to know why the USGA is so focused on this one rule. Why dont they talk to players that are playing slow instead of having what seems like solo focus on the caddy issue.

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News

Morning 9: Rory: I’m not joining LIV | Masters ratings | Nelly: We just need a stage

Published

2 days ago

Apr 17, 2024

Ben Alberstadt

By Ben Alberstadt with Gianni Magliocco.

For comments: [email protected]

Good Wednesday morning, golf fans, as we gear up to this week’s RBC Heritage.

1. Rory: I’m not going to LIV

ESPN’s Mark Schlabach…McIlroy said neither he nor his agents have ever discussed a potential deal to lure him to the LIV Golf League, which is being financed by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF).

“I honestly don’t know how these things get started,” McIlroy told Golf Channel while on the practice range at Harbour Town Golf Links in Hilton Head, South Carolina, the site of this week’s RBC Heritage. “I’ve never been offered a number from LIV, and I’ve never contemplated going to LIV. Again, I think I’ve made it clear over the past two years that I don’t think it’s something for me.

“It doesn’t mean that I judge people who have went and played over there. I think one of the things that I have realized over the past two years is that people can make their own decisions for whatever they think is best for themselves, and who are we to judge them for that? But personally, for me, my future is here on the PGA Tour, and it’s never been any different.”

Full piece.

2. Masters ratings down

Yahoo’s Jay Busbee…”Ratings for the full Masters week are now out, and 2024’s version ranks as the lowest since the COVID-impacted years of 2020 and 2021. There was a brief moment when four players shared the lead at the 2024 Masters, but Scottie Scheffler took care of business quickly enough and strolled to what qualifies as an “easy” Masters victory — a four-stroke triumph that wasn’t in doubt for most of the second nine.”

“Perhaps as a result, Sunday’s final round averaged 9.59 million viewers on CBS, according to Sports Media Watch, a 22.8% decline from last year’s 12.06 million. Scheffler’s win two years ago averaged 10.17 million viewers. Worth noting: Sunday’s final round was down 20 percent against last year’s victory by Jon Rahm, but last year’s final round fell on Easter Sunday, which created a significantly higher out-of-home percentage of viewers — 21 percent in 2023, as opposed to 9 percent this year.”

Full piece.

3. Chevron gets purse boost

Golfweek’s Beth Ann Nichols…“Chevron’s commitment to the LPGA went a step higher on Tuesday with the announcement of a purse increase to $7.9 million in 2024. The move brings the tour’s first major in line with the purses of other championships. The U.S. Women’s Open purse of $12 million paces the tour, with the KPMG Women’s PGA second at $10 million. The AIG Women’s British Open purse checks in at $9 million while Amundi Evian is $6.5 million.”

“Chevron, which moved the event away from Mission Hills Country Club in Rancho Mirage, California, to Texas, last year, has increased the purse by $4.8 million since assuming title sponsorship in 2022. The company has committed to title sponsor the event through 2029.”

Full piece.

4. Shipley on “notegate”

Alex Myers for Golf Digest…”So what was up with “notegate”? During his hilarious spot with McAfee, Shipley reiterated there was no note from Woods, and that he was only looking at the moderator because he was so confused where the question was coming from:

“I looked over at the moderator like ‘Who the hell is this guy?'” Shipley says in the clip. “Because it just didn’t happen. I was so confused and so shocked in the moment.”

Full piece.

5. Nelly: We just need a stage

Iain Carter for the BBC…”Korda is the first American to win four consecutive tournaments on the LPGA since Lopez won five straight 46 years ago. This astonishing streak made the then rookie front page material for Sports Illustrated.

“Korda’s feats have yet to transcend the golfing village, and perhaps that suits her as she “tries to stay in my bubble”. But the American Solheim Cup player does recognise that more could be done to tell the increasingly compelling story of women’s golf.”

“I feel like we just need a stage,” she told reporters here at Carlton Woods just north of Houston. “We need to be put on TV.

“I feel like when it’s tape delay, or anything like that, that hurts our game. Women’s sports just needs a stage. If we have a stage we can show up and perform and show people what we’re all about.”

Full piece.

6. Photos from the 2024 RBC Heritage

Check out all of our galleries from this week’s event!

Full piece.

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Tour Photo Galleries

Photos from the 2024 RBC Heritage

Published

3 days ago

Apr 16, 2024

GolfWRX Staff

GolfWRX is on site this week at Harbour Town Golf Links on Hilton Head Island for the RBC Heritage. Plenty of golfers who competed in the Masters last week will be making the quick turnaround in the Lowcountry of South Carolina as the Heritage is again one of the Tour’s Signature Events.

We have general albums for you to check out, as well as plenty of WITBs — including Justin Thomas and Justin Rose.

We’ll continue to update as more photos flow in from SC.

Check out links to all our photos, below.

General Albums

WITB Albums

Pullout Albums

See what GolfWRXers are saying and join the discussion in the forums.

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News

Morning 9: Aberg: I want to be No. 1 | Rory’s management blasts ‘fake news’ reports

Published

3 days ago

Apr 16, 2024

Ben Alberstadt

By Ben Alberstadt with Gianni Magliocco.

For comments: [email protected]

Good Tuesday morning, golf fans, as we look back at the Masters while looking ahead to this week’s RBC Heritage.

1. Shane Ryan: Appreciate Scottie’s greatness

Golf Digest’s Shane Ryan…”This is what’s called generational talent, and we haven’t seen it in almost 20 years. Steve Stricker read the tea leaves when he picked Scheffler for the 2021 Ryder Cup—a decision that was richly rewarded—and starting in 2022, he was off to the races. The only hiccup was a few putting woes last year, but even that only served to highlight how remarkable his ball-striking had become—instead of winning, he was finishing third. When he fixed the putting, with help from a new coach and a bit of equipment advice from Rory McIlroy, he soared yet again to the top of the game, but this time he seemed more indomitable, more inevitable, more brilliant.”

“The sustained success of the last three years has officially made him the best professional golfer since Tiger Woods, a conclusion supported by analytics, the eye test, and every other metric you could dream up. With fewer majors, he has nevertheless leaped past Spieth, McIlroy, and Koepka in terms of pure ability. He doesn’t have their legacy, yet, but if we’re talking about peak performance, he’s already surpassed them.”

“He’s so much better than everyone else, which is a sentiment that is both commonplace—I saw it on Twitter over and over again—and revelatory. It’s the thing you say because there is nothing else to say. You’re left with the wild truth, which words can describe but never capture.”

Full piece.

2. Aberg: I want to be No. 1

The AFP’s Simon Evans…”The 24-year-old finished second, four strokes behind winner Scottie Scheffler, after carding a final round 69 but he certainly won many admirers among the patrons at Augusta National and beyond.”

“And his performance has filled Aberg with self-belief.”

“Everyone in my position, they are going to want to be major champions. They are going to want to be world number one, and it’s the same for me, that’s nothing different,” he said.

“It has been that way ever since I picked up a golf club, and that hasn’t changed. So I think this week solidifies a lot of those things are there, and we just need to keep doing those things and put ourselves in positions to win tournaments, ” he said.

Full piece.

3. Homa’s honest answer on double bogey

Golf Channel staff report…”But Homa’s tee shot at No. 12 bounded off the putting surface and into a bush. After a healthy search, Homa found his ball and had to take an unplayable lie. He made double bogey, effectively ending his bid at a maiden major title.”

“Homa tied for third, seven shots back of Scheffler. Asked about what happened on the fateful 9-iron, Homa offered two replies.”

“The honest answer is, it didn’t feel fair. I hit a really good golf shot, and it didn’t feel fair. I’ve seen far worse just roll back down the hill,” he said.

“The professional answer is, these things happen.”

Full piece.

4. Harbour Town ahead

RBC Heritage field notes, via Adam Stanley of PGATour.com…”Scottie Scheffler is, for now, set to tee it up at the RBC Heritage. He was clear to say that if his wife, Meredith, would go into labor during the Masters, he would head home to be with her, so it’s safe to assume that same rule will stand at Harbour Town. Scheffler has not shot an over-par round all season and has three victories (and one runner-up). He made his debut at Harbour Town last year and finished T11… Matt Fitzpatrick looks to become the first golfer to go back-to-back at the RBC Heritage since Boo Weekley in 2007-08. Fitzpatrick, a playoff victor last year, has two top-10 finishes this season. He has just one missed cut at Harbour Town over the last six years and he finished fourth in 2021 to go along with two more top-15 results in a three-year span (T14 in 2018 and 2020)…”

“Jordan Spieth is hoping to continue his run of fine play at Harbour Town after a playoff loss last season and a playoff win the season prior. Spieth has five top-25 finishes at the RBC Heritage in seven starts… Justin Thomas earned a spot in the field after remaining in the top 30 (he’s No. 30) in the Official World Golf Ranking despite a missed cut at the Masters. Thomas, who finished T25 last season at Harbour Town, has two top 10s on the season… Ludvig Åberg, who is tops in the Aon Next 10, will head to Hilton Head for the first time. Åberg has had a fabulous 2024 campaign thus far with four top 10s (including two runner-up results) and is knocking on the door for a victory… Hideki Matsuyama was the only eligible player who did not commit to the RBC Heritage, while Viktor Hovland – after a missed cut at the Masters – withdrew from the field on Saturday.”

Full piece.

5. Reed’s caddie’s needle

Our Matt Vincenzi…”After a particularly bad drive during his third round on Saturday, Reed’s caddie, Kessler Karain, also his brother-in-law, made a snide but factual comment to Patrick.”

“Your driving has cost us a lot this week,” Karain remarked.

“Reed didn’t disagree and told reporters after the round that there was nothing good about his round…

“A reporter then asked: “It’s a good thing he’s a family member, right?”

“Yeah, exactly. I’d probably be dragging him up that last hole,” Reed said. “I swear.Just what you want to hear as you’re looking at the ball in the tree, and he goes, ‘You need to drive it better.’ Thanks, Kessler. I appreciate it. Great words of wisdom. Drive it better.”

“This may be the last major for Reed for a while, as the 33-year-old has not been invited nor qualified for next month’s PGA Championship.”

Full piece.

6. LIV wants Hovland next?

Ewan Murray for the Guardian…”Rising speculation that Viktor Hovland will be the next high-profile golfer to be coaxed to the LIV tour will increase the need for Ryder Cup Europe to apply a simple qualification process for golfers on the Saudi Arabian-backed circuit.”

“LIV is forging ahead with plans for 2025, which include new events and the recruitment of more players from the PGA and DP World Tours. The rate of turnover is likely to be increased by the number of golfers who had three-year contracts when joining LIV, which will expire at the end of 2024.”

“Chatter on the range at the LIV event in Miami this month and again at the Masters largely surrounded Hovland, the world No 6 who starred for Europe in the defeat of the United States in Rome last year. Jon Rahm and Tyrrell Hatton, who also played in that team, have subsequently joined LIV. Hovland missed the cut at the Masters and promptly withdrew from the PGA Tour’s $20m stop in Hilton Head this week.”

Full piece.

7. Rory’s management: LIV reports are ‘fake news’

Brian Keogh for the Irish Independent…”A report that Rory McIlroy was on the verge of an $850million move to LIV Golf has been slammed as “fake news” by his management.

“Fake news. Zero truth,” McIlroy’s manager Sean O’Flaherty said in an email.

London financial paper “City AM” reported today that sources have told them that McIlroy “could” join LIV Golf

The paper reported that “two separate sources have told City AM that they believe a deal is close. It is claimed that LIV Golf chiefs have offered world No2 McIlroy an eye-watering $850m to join, plus around two per cent equity in the competition.”

Full piece.