Justin Thomas, currently ranked No. 5 in the Official World Golf Ranking, missed the cut at the 125th U.S. Open held at Oakmont Country Club in western Pennsylvania, continuing his recent struggles in major championships. Despite strong performances on the PGA Tour this season, Thomas posted consecutive rounds of 76, finishing 12-over par and well outside the anticipated cut line.

Unsteady Start at Oakmont Hampers Thomas’s U.S. Open Campaign

Thomas arrived at Oakmont with considerable momentum after a solid PGA Tour season, sitting fourth in the FedExCup standings. However, his performance during the U.S. Open rounds was hindered by difficulties navigating Oakmont’s notoriously thick rough and challenging layout. Over two rounds, Thomas drove only 12 of 28 fairways, which severely restricted his scoring chances on a course demanding precision.

The former winner of two major titles struggled to keep pace with the cut line, projected around 6 to 7 over par as of Friday afternoon. His back-to-back scores of 76 in the first two rounds placed him outside the top 60 and ties, the threshold to advance. Two double bogeys on holes 12 and 16 during his second round further damaged his chances of making the weekend.

Thomas Reflects on His Frustrations and Challenges at the U.S. Open

After completing the second round, Thomas expressed his frustration with his performance and his inability to translate PGA Tour form into major success this year.

“I’m frustrated because I feel like I should be playing way better in majors, but I haven’t, so clearly I need to do something differently,”

he said.

“It’s easy to be bummed or not too positive at the moment, but I’ve had a really solid year and played really well.”

Commenting on the difficulties he experienced at Oakmont, Thomas added,

“I felt like I really didn’t play that bad yesterday; I had four tee balls that were 50-50 in the air of being in the fairway or not, and all four of them were not, and played those holes 5-over, so that can happen out there. I was very far from sharp and just didn’t play well … (Oakmont is) right in front of you. You kind of know what you’re getting here. It’s tough, and you can’t fake it around here and not play well and expect good things to happen.”

Patterns of Struggle in Majors Contrast with High Tour Performance

Despite his current season form, Thomas’s difficulties in majors have persisted. This year, he finished tied for 36th at the Masters, missed the cut at the PGA Championship at Quail Hollow, where he previously won in 2017, and now missed the cut again at the U.S. Open for the third consecutive year. Across his last 13 major starts, Thomas has secured just one top-25 finish, a worrying trend for a golfer with 16 PGA Tour victories and a reputation as one of the finest shot makers in modern golf.

His inability to capitalize on his birdie-making ability at Oakmont was noticeable. Although ranked second on the Tour in birdie average, Thomas managed only two birdies in his first 27 holes at Oakmont. While he improved by making three birdies on the front nine during Friday’s second round, three bogeys negated those gains.

Oakmont’s Tough Conditions Continue to Challenge Competitors

The U.S. Open at Oakmont remained a demanding test for the field, with the cut line uncertain as the day progressed. Par-70 Oakmont recorded a second-round scoring average of 74.6 as of mid-afternoon, reflecting the course’s relentless difficulty. Several notable players, including Min Woo Lee, Dustin Johnson, Sepp Straka, and Nick Dunlap, all faced similar fates, likely missing the cut with scores ranging from 9 to 11 over par.

Dustin Johnson, who won the U.S. Open at Oakmont in 2016, posted a 10-over total, emphasizing how challenging the course remains even for past champions. Meanwhile, other players like Spaun and Perez drew attention for standout moments, including a rare ace by Perez, the first of the tournament.

What Lies Ahead for Justin Thomas and the U.S. Open Field

Justin Thomas’s third consecutive missed cut at the U.S. Open highlights an ongoing disconnect between his excellent PGA Tour form and his major championship performances. With the U.S. Open continuing over the weekend amid weather challenges, including rain forecasted at Oakmont, players who advanced will need to maintain focus in these tough conditions.

For Thomas, the task now is to analyze his approach to major championships and identify changes to bridge the gap between his proven Tour success and major contention. His struggle at Oakmont in 2025 adds to a growing narrative of frustration, and fans will anticipate how he responds in the remaining majors this season.