At the 2025 U.S. Open held at Oakmont, a highly disputed moment unfolded when Sam Burns was denied relief despite his ball resting in clearly wet and soggy conditions on the 15th hole. The rules official ruled that Burns was not entitled to relief under the USGA’s Temporary Water rule (Rule 16.1c), even as visible water splashed with each swing amid persistent rainfall delays. The decision sparked widespread debate over the application of the USGA’s rules, highlighting the tension between regulations and fairness in major tournaments.
Burns described the conditions clearly, stating,
“I walked into it, and clearly you could see water coming up,”
and added,
“Took practice swings and it’s just water splashing every single time.”
Unable to take relief, he played the shot from the wet lie and recorded a bogey, a costly setback during a challenging event where he had been holding the 54-hole lead. Ultimately, Burns finished tied for seventh place at +8, but the ruling overshadowed his otherwise strong performance.
Justin Thomas Calls for USGA Rule Revision Following Incident
Justin Thomas, a close friend and fellow PGA Tour professional, was among the most vocal critics of the USGA’s decision. The pair’s longtime friendship dates back to their early professional years and includes many playful college football rivalries, with Thomas supporting Alabama and Burns representing LSU. Their rapport was spotlighted in 2024 when Burns humorously lost a bet and had “RTR” shaved into his hair, a moment Thomas celebrated on social media.
Thomas expressed his frustration in a candid YouTube interview with Micah Morris, part of the series
“I Challenged the PGA Tour’s Best Players.”
He criticized the ruling, suggesting it was out of touch with common sense:
“Ten times out of ten, we take a drop out of there without getting a rules official involved.”
He further emphasized the confusion and unfairness of the situation, saying,
“It’s either we don’t understand the rule, or they need to change the rule, because there’s no scenario he should’ve had to play that shot.”
Thomas also praised Burns’ composure, noting,
“He handled it better than I would have, that’s for sure.”
The episode signals a need for the USGA to reconsider its rules or their enforcement, especially when even top players find the regulations unclear or illogical under obvious course conditions.
Performance and Prospects After the U.S. Open Incident
Following the U.S. Open controversy, both Justin Thomas and Sam Burns competed at the 2025 Rocket Mortgage Classic in Detroit, where their performances varied significantly. Thomas struggled throughout the event, shooting +1 over two rounds and missing the cut, a surprising setback after a successful season that included a victory at the RBC Heritage and multiple second-place finishes.
In contrast, Burns showed resilience, holding steady at tied for 30th place at 12 over par after two rounds. Although far from the lead, he remained in contention, hoping to climb the leaderboard with a strong third round. Notably, Burns’ week here was free of any rules-related issues, pointing to a return to focusing on his game rather than controversy.
The contrasting fortunes underscore the ramifications of the earlier debate, with Thomas continuing to press for change while Burns channels his energy into his performance.
Ongoing Debate Over Rules Rigidity and USGA’s Role
The incident involving Burns highlights broader questions about the flexibility and clarity of golf’s rules, particularly those administered by the USGA during major championships. Under challenging conditions like Oakmont’s soggy turf after repeated rain delays, the rigidity of rules around temporary water relief is drawing criticism from players, fans, and analysts alike.
Justin Thomas’ call for the USGA to reconsider its stance reflects growing unease that current regulations may be outdated or overly technical, potentially impacting fairness and player experience. The fact that top players themselves are confused or disagree with rulings suggests that a comprehensive review might be necessary to ensure that rules support equitable competition rather than unintended penalties.
As this conversation continues, the USGA’s response could determine how future events are managed under adverse weather and whether players will have clearer guidelines or more lenient interpretations when encountering similar conditions.
Implications for Future USGA Policies and Tournament Play
This controversy over the application of the Temporary Water rule at the 2025 U.S. Open has already sparked significant discussion within the golf community. With Justin Thomas leading the call, the pressure on the USGA to revisit the rulebook is intensifying.
The outcome of this debate may influence not only how rules are written but also how they are enforced by officials in high-stakes tournaments. Changes could allow players to receive relief from obviously unplayable lies without needing to challenge or confront officials, thereby avoiding disruptions and controversy during rounds.
For Sam Burns, the episode serves as a reminder of the challenges professionals face beyond pure play, while for Justin Thomas, it underlines a growing responsibility to advocate for fairness and clarity in golf’s regulations. Moving forward, all eyes remain on the USGA’s next steps to address these concerns and prevent similar situations from undermining the competition’s integrity.