News

USGA says Justin Thomas did not, in fact, avoid or cancel any meetings with the organization

Published

7 years ago

Mar 6, 2019

On Tuesday afternoon, the USGA issued a statement in which the organization admitted that, contrary to its previous claim, Justin Thomas had not cancelled or avoided any discussions with the governing body in the past.

As well as conceding that the 25-year-old had not avoided talking to them, the USGA also echoed Tour chief Jay Monahan’s sentiment in the memo he issued to all Tour players this week, stating

“We value his and all players’ opinions and are committed to a productive dialogue as the golf world adjusts to the modernized rules.”

After further and more direct conversations with @JustinThomas34, we realize he did not avoid a discussion with the USGA nor cancel any meetings. We value his and all players’ opinions and are committed to a productive dialogue as the golf world adjusts to the modernized rules.

— USGA PR (@USGA_PR) March 5, 2019

The statement comes after the organization had claimed over the weekend that Thomas had “cancelled every meeting we’ve planned with you.” It was a charge which caught Thomas by surprise on Sunday evening, who while speaking following his final round of the Honda Classic, said the claims were inaccurate and that he was “hurt” by the accusation.

Thomas retweeted yesterday’s statement from the USGA without further comment, while fellow professional Lee Westwood responded to the USGA’s tweet, calling it “one of the worst apologies I’ve ever seen.”

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Gianni Magliocco

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

13 Comments

Tom

Mar 7, 2019 at 1:55 pm

PGA Tour conducts play at the highest level on earth. The PGA Tour in conjunction with the R&A should establish their own ruling body and split from the ‘ship of fools’ better known as the USGA.

Reply Report comment
geohogan

Mar 7, 2019 at 1:54 pm

USGA and pga should have respect for golf and growth of the game ahead of ego and
grandstanding. Leave governing by tweet to POTUS.

Reply Report comment
Eddie

Mar 7, 2019 at 10:15 am

Lie to create a discrediting narrative. Get caught lying. CYA statement. Yep, the status quo is corrupt throughout. That’s what happens to overpayed armwaving BSers who produce nothing.

Reply Report comment
Tom

Mar 6, 2019 at 6:21 pm

USGA’s John Boneheader got it wrong about Thomas cancelling…..what a tool!

Reply Report comment
- Eddie
  
  Mar 7, 2019 at 10:19 am
  
  It’s OK to call a liar a liar.
  
  Reply Report comment
Tom

Mar 6, 2019 at 2:19 pm

USGA is incompetent….that says it all!

Reply Report comment
Lee W

Mar 6, 2019 at 12:15 pm

The USGA has blown it yet again! How stupid can a large organization’s people be and still be respected? Answer: Very STUPID!!!

Reply Report comment
- joro
  
  Mar 6, 2019 at 7:18 pm
  
  It is like I told a USGA guy one day when Callaway had a meeting with the USGA and R&A about the CER “illegal” Driver because it hit the ball 3 yds farther than the Big Berths by tests done by the R&A. He said I don”t agree with the rule on the Driver. I said why should I expect to believe a group that is composed of a bunch of Bozos that wear white shirts and Black armbands at their Championship in 100 degree temps and Thunder storms and lightning that have killed people. Booooo USGA, get real.
  
  Reply Report comment
Hildebrandt

Mar 6, 2019 at 10:08 am

The players need to fire the USGA.

Reply Report comment
CrashTestDummy

Mar 6, 2019 at 9:32 am

So their previous comment that Thomas avoided and cancelled meetings was fake news. Lol. USGA is losing their respect even more now.

Reply Report comment
- Mower
  
  Mar 6, 2019 at 10:06 am
  
  They’re like a multi-headed hydra!
  
  Reply Report comment
youraway

Mar 6, 2019 at 8:46 am

Now the USGA is losing all integrity and credibility.

But the players, if they really care, will provide constructive comments to their players board and the USGA, that’s the way to make changes, not whinny on social media or making an unprofessional picture of a drop technique.

Reply Report comment
- JD
  
  Mar 6, 2019 at 9:58 am
  
  Na I’m good with the public shaming. This stuff is ridiculous. USGA should use Twitter as well, just don’t lie lol… not sure why that isn’t understood…
  
  Reply Report comment

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Tour Photo Galleries

Photos from the 2026 U.S. Women’s Open

Published

9 hours ago

Jun 3, 2026

GolfWRX Staff

GolfWRX Tour Photographer made the trip from the Memorial Tournament across the country to the U.S. Women’s Open at Riviera. Check out links to all the photos below!

General Albums

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Pullout Albums

Tour Photo Galleries

Photos from the 2026 Memorial Tournament

Published

2 days ago

Jun 1, 2026

GolfWRX Staff

GolfWRX is on site this week at the Memorial Tournament, with both Alistair Cameron and Tour Photographer Greg Moore on the ground in Dublin, Ohio, where a strong field is assembled to pay homage to the Golden Bear.

In addition to WITB galleries, we’ve already been treated to an in-hand look at Tommy Fleetwood’s new TaylorMade Spider putters.

Check out links to all our photos below.

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News

Tour Tech Rundown: Heroic Henley

Published

3 days ago

Jun 1, 2026

Ronald Montesano

Around the world, the golf wheel spun this final week in May of 2026. From New Jersey to Austria, with stops in Korea, Texas, and North Carolina (don’t let me route your next trip) the world’s finest put their golf games on display. There were three playoffs, some known commodities and some new talent. It was the sort of week that we hope to have at this point in the seasons. June and July afford double-digit major events, and perhaps, one of this week’s champions will use this success as a springboard to new heights. Time to run it all down, tech style, in this week’s Tour Tech Rundown.

Thanks to WITBHub, Today’s Golfer, GolfWRX, and Inside Tour Golf for initial research into equipment.

PGA Tour @ Charles Schwab Challenge: Heroic Henley denies Cole

Eric Cole did nearly everything that a fellow can do, to secure a first PGA Tour title. He stayed one shot clear of Ryder Cup player Ben Griffin. He kept US Open champion Gary Woodland and wunderkind Michael Brennan two shots distant. He posted 70 on day four to reach twelve under par. And then, Russell Henley revealed his Dr. Strange cloak. Henley made 47 feet of birdie putts on holes 16, 17, and 18, to jump from minus-nine to twelve-deep, and secured a spot in a playoff with Cole. The duo returned to the final tee, and put on a stripe show.

Both golfers found the fairway off the tee, and Henley improved on his regulation play with an approach to four feet. Cole did himself proud, tucking an iron to a dozen feet, but he was unable to convert the putt for three. Henley is one of the best putters on tour, and he proved it once more by draining a putt for a fourth consecutive birdie, and a sixth PGA Tour title. For Eric Cole, that first victory should come, and soon. He has done everything necessary to earn the chalice lift.

Henley’s Suitcase

Driver: Titleist TSi3 at 10 degrees. Shaft: Project X HZRDUS Smoke Black 70g 6.5 TX
Metal: Titleist TS3 at 16.5 degrees. Shaft: Project X HZRDUS Smoke Black 80 TX
Hybrid: Titleist TSi2 at 21 degrees. Shaft: Mitsubishi MMT hybrid 100 TX
Iron: Titleist T250 4-iron. Shaft: True Temper Dynamic Golf AMT Tour White X100
Irons: Titleist T100 5-6 irons. Shaft: True Temper Dynamic Golf AMT Tour White X100
Irons: Titleist T100 7-9 irons. Shaft: True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue X100
Wedges: Titleist Vokey Design SM11 at 48 and 50 degrees. Shaft: True Temper Dynamic Golf Tour Issue X100
Wedges: Titleist Vokey Design SM11 at 54 and 60 degrees. Shaft: rue Temper Dynamic Golf Tour Issue S400
Putter: Titleist Scotty Cameron T5 Tour Prototype

LPGA @ Shoprite LPGA: Welcome back, Celine!

Soo Bin Joo had her eyes on a maiden LPGA title. She held the lead after two rounds, then hit a red light at the intersection of can-I and how-To. Joo posted plus-two on day three in New Jersey, and dropped to a T4 finish, which was still a career-best for the young Korean golfer. Instead of a new face, a familiar face returned to the top of the podium.

Celine Boutier was the It Girl in 2023. She collected four victories, including a major title at Evian. Boutier reached world number one status, then simply faded into the background. No wins came her way over the next 30 months. On Sunday, she collected LPGA victory number seven, at the same trace as LPGA victory number two.

Day three saw Boutier manage the windswept Seaview Bay course with six birdies and a bogey. She was challenged in the end by Thailand’s Arpichaya Yubol, who signed for a 66 of her own. Yubol came up one shot shy of the top ladder rung. Finishing in third place at -7, two back of the winner, was Ireland’s Lauren Walsh.

Celine’s Suitcase

Driver: PXG 0311 Black Ops Tour-1 at 9 degrees. Shaft: Graphite Design AD IZ-5
Hybrid: PXG 0311 Black Ops at 19 and 22 degrees. Shaft: KBS Hybrid Prototype
Hybrid: PXG 0311 Gen5.
Iron: PXG 0311 P Gen 4 5-9 irons
Wedge: PXG 0311 T Gen 4 PW
Wedges: PXG 0311 Sugar Daddy II at 50, 54, 58 degrees
Putter: Bettinardi Studio Stock 3 DASS

DP World Tour @ Austrian Alpine: KK? KK!

Kota Kaneko has a rhythmic name. It has strong vowels and a run of voiceless stops in its crunchy K sounds. On Sunday in Austria, Kaneko put a stop to a challenge from Portugal’s Ricardo Gouveia and everyone else, and claimed a first-ever title on the DP World Tour. Gouveia did well to reach 16-under par over four days, but Kaneko held firm, two shots in the clear.

Davis Bryant of the USA also forged a strong challenge for the win. He ended in a tie with Gouveia for second place. Kaneko began and finished his final round in a bit of a malaise, but he caught fire midway through. Birdies at 10, 12, and 13 provided the necessary cushion to cruise to the finish line without breaking a serious sweat.

Kaneko’s Suitcase

Driver: Ping Max G440
Metals: TaylorMade Qi4D at 15, 16.5, 21, and 24 degrees
Irons: TaylorMade P760 5 and 6 irons
Irons: TaylorMade P7TW 7-9 irons
Wedges: Titleist Vokey Design at 46, 52, 56, and 60 degrees
Putter: Odyssey Ai-One Cruiser Arm Lock #7

Korn Ferry Tour @ UNC Health Championship: Improbably Alvaro

Alvaro Ortiz may have had a bit of scare on the outward nine on Sunday, but he came through in clutch fashion in the end. Ortiz began the day bogey-double, and added another double bogey at the 11th hole. He was mired in a downward trend, spiraling away from the top of the leader’s board. Ortiz found hope at the 14th, where his first birdie of the day tumbled home. Inspired, he closed with birdies and 17 and 18 to catch Ross Steelman at 10-under par, and the duo returned to the 18th deck for overtime.

The extra session concluded in brief time. Ortiz, buoyed by his newly-retrieved confidence, hit the fairway with driver, then approached to six feet and drained the putt. Gobsmacked, Steelman could do little more than smile and applaud, as his run at the top came to a close. The victory was the first for Ortiz on the KFT, and will implant him squarely in the chase for a PGA Tour promotion.

Alvaro’s Suitcase

Driver: Ping G430 MAX driver at 9 degrees loft
Metal: Ping G430 MAX 3W
Iron: Ping iDi Driving Iron
Irons: Ping Blueprint S irons
Wedges
Putter: Scottsdale TR Piper C

A party on the green!

Alvaro’s time comes in Raleigh with his first win @UNCHealthChamp ? pic.twitter.com/2dmtZdbSzk

— Korn Ferry Tour (@KornFerryTour) May 31, 2026

LIV @ Korea: Me llamo Joaquin

Chile’s Joaquin Niemann had been away from the LIV winner’s circle throughout all of 2026. This week in Korea, he reminded us that he is still a force to consider. Niemann chased down Taylor Gooch over the closing holes at Asiad Country Club, then claimed victory with a hole-one birdie in extra time. Bryson DeChambeau claimed solo third, one shot in arrears at minus-eleven. Dustin Johnson finished on fourth, one putt farther back.

Niemann’s Suitcase