In a dramatic twist of events, the 2025 PLAYERS Championship has seen golfing heavyweight, Justin Thomas, grapple with his game, descending to an unexpected low in his illustrious career. The championship, known for its fierce competition, saw the likes of Viktor Hovland and Max Homa also struggle to gain momentum.
Justin Thomas, the victor of the 2021 edition of this esteemed championship, commenced the game with the hope of building on his previous positive results. But the golfing gods seemed to have other plans. The initial part of Thomas’s round at TPC Sawgrass was promising. He was sailing smoothly with two birdies in the first seven holes, starting from the 10th tee.
But the iconic 17th hole proved to be his undoing. A stroke of bad luck saw his ball find the water, culminating in a double bogey. His misfortune didn’t end there. The intimidating 18th hole saw him repeat the same mistake, leading to another double bogey. An unfortunate streak of bogey-double-bogey-bogey at the 3rd, 4th, and 5th holes cost him five shots.
Rick Gehman, a renowned golf analyst, revealed the shocking statistics. He noted that Thomas lost 9.09 strokes ball-striking (OTT & APP) in the first round of the fifth major. This round was not just the worst of Thomas’s career, but it also ranked as the third-worst round for any golfer in 2025.
The golf world has seen its fair share of disappointing rounds. The fourth U.S. Open, held at the challenging nine-hole Myopia Hunt Club in Massachusetts, witnessed 49 players posting scores over 100 in the opening round. John Dunn Tucker’s score of 157 remains one of the worst in golf tournament history. Regrettably, Thomas now finds himself joining the ranks of infamous rounds, a place no golfer wants to be.
Despite the setbacks, Thomas has always been known for his mental strength and ability to move on from missed shots. However, his recent game sparked questions about his mindset. After coming close to victory in the past, including an 18 under par at the Hero World Challenge, and just a stroke behind the winner at the Zozo Championship, his recent performance has left fans puzzled.
Thomas, a former University of Alabama standout, remains confident in his abilities, even after more than two years since his last win. He had set his sights on emulating the success of world number one, Scottie Scheffler, who clinched seven wins in 2024. However, his recent performance has invoked criticism and mockery, with fans questioning his ability to match up to Scheffler’s record.
Despite the odds, Thomas rallied in the face of adversity during the championship. He finished the round with birdies on the eighth and ninth holes, giving fans a glimmer of hope for a strong second round. While some fans admired his resilience, others were quick to highlight his initial struggle.
It remains to be seen whether the 31-year-old will bounce back from this setback. As fans eagerly await the outcome, the golf world is reminded once again of the unpredictable nature of the sport.
