During the second round of the 2025 U.S. Open at Oakmont Country Club, Justin Thomas experienced a difficult moment that captured widespread attention. While Thomas battled mounting pressure on the course, suspended PGA Tour pro Wesley Bryan, watching from the sidelines due to his indefinite suspension for participating in LIV Golf Duels, delivered a memorable two-word reaction that ignited discussion across the golf world.
On Friday, Thomas entered play with a tough start, already 6-over after his first round. His struggles continued as he faced a pivotal moment on the 12th hole. After narrowly missing a long birdie putt, Thomas had a short chance to save par, but he missed not one, but two short putts in succession. The mishap culminated in a four-putt double bogey, pushing his tournament score to nine-over par and creating a rare and painful collapse during a major. Following a viral clip of this moment circulated by NUCLR GOLF, Wesley Bryan added a dry comment simply stating,
“I’ll tap.”
—Wesley Bryan, PGA Pro
Wesley Bryan’s Humorous Response Amid Personal Setbacks
Wesley Bryan’s sharp and concise comment came against the backdrop of his own recent disappointments. Alongside his brother, Bryan missed qualifying for the U.S. Open after a challenging final qualifying round. Although he will not play at Oakmont this year, his lighthearted jab at Thomas’s misfortune shows that his wit remains intact despite his current PGA Tour ban.
For Justin Thomas, however, this blunder adds to a growing list of struggles in major championships. Entering this tournament, Thomas faced the possibility of missing the cut for the seventh time in his last 11 majors. The cut line hovered around four-over-par during the second round, making every stroke critical for Thomas’s hopes of advancing. The consequences of continued missed cuts stretch beyond single tournaments, as they threaten his reputation and momentum among golf’s elite.
Reflecting on Justin Thomas’s Best Moments at Oakmont
While Thomas’s current run at Oakmont is challenging, he carries with him fond memories from previous appearances, especially from the 2016 U.S. Open at the same venue. During a practice round earlier in the week, Thomas reminisced about one of the best rounds he has ever played during that tournament.
Thomas stated,
“One of the best rounds of golf I’ve probably ever played in my career [was] in 2016 here on Friday.”
—Justin Thomas, Professional Golfer
He detailed that round, recalling shooting a 69 while only hitting four fairways and seven greens, boosted by three fortunate chip-ins. He further explained,
“I think I hit four fairways, but I remember I hit seven greens, and I shot 69.”
—Justin Thomas, Professional Golfer
The exertion of that day left him exhausted, but he noted the company kept him motivated. Playing alongside Brooks Koepka, who also shot a 69, led to Thomas saying with a touch of humor,
“I shoot 69 every day, I’ll take four fairways and seven greens right now.”
—Justin Thomas, Professional Golfer
This round remains a highlight given Oakmont’s notorious reputation as one of the most demanding courses in the U.S. Open rotation, known for its dense rough and intricate design. Thomas’s performance in 2016 earned him a tie for 21st place with a four-under-par final score.
The Challenge of Maintaining Success at U.S. Open Majors
Though Justin Thomas has enjoyed moments of success at Oakmont and reached the top 10 in two previous U.S. Opens, recent years have proven more difficult. Missing the cut in the last two tournaments signals possible challenges in adapting to the course’s difficulty and the increasing pressure of major championships. In preparation for the 2025 event, Thomas emphasized precision, stating,
“To me, it just puts even more of a priority on hitting the ball straight.”
—Justin Thomas, Professional Golfer
Whether Thomas can stage a dramatic recovery this year remains uncertain, but Oakmont represents both a stage for his successes and a test of resilience. His performance will be watched closely as players and fans alike hope for moments of brilliance despite the pressure.
The Broader Context of Golf’s Shifting Landscape
Wesley Bryan’s absence due to his involvement with LIV Golf highlights ongoing shifts within professional golf’s landscape, where player commitments and tour affiliations create varied narratives beyond the play itself. Bryan’s witty interjection during Thomas’s U.S. Open difficulties underscores not only the competitive tension among players but also the engagement of those sidelined by circumstances.
As the tournament progresses at Oakmont, the reactions and performances of key figures such as Thomas and Bryan will continue to captivate the golfing community. The U.S. Open remains a demanding test of skill and mental strength, where even established stars can face unpredictable outcomes under the sport’s highest stakes.