‘Pissed Off’ Justin Thomas Admits Emotional Truth About Oakmont Aftermath at Travelers Championship

Justin Thomas arrived at TPC River Highlands still carrying emotional baggage from Oakmont. Just one week earlier, the two-time PGA Championship winner endured a bruising U.S. Open campaign, posting consecutive rounds of 76 to miss the cut at +12. The performance was marred by a disastrous four-putt double bogey on the par-5 12th in Round 2 and multiple missed opportunities that kept him well outside the cut line. Thomas, a former FedExCup champion and now ranked No. 5 in the world, had entered Oakmont as one of the tournament favorites following a hot 2025 season. But by Friday afternoon, he was packing his bags early from a course that had crushed many.

Now at the 2025 Travelers Championship in Connecticut—a tournament he’s historically played well—Thomas appears to be rebounding. Through two rounds at TPC River Highlands, he’s fired rounds of 67 and 64 to sit at −9, tied for the lead heading into the weekend. A stretch of five consecutive birdies in Friday’s round highlighted his renewed form and confidence. Still, in the media tent post-round, it was clear the scars from Oakmont hadn’t fully faded.

When asked at the Travelers Championship press conference whether he’s learned to move on quickly from poor weeks like Oakmont, Thomas was candid about the emotional toll. “It unfortunately hasn’t become any easier. I still get pretty pissed off about it and I still — it weighs on me more than it should,” he admitted. He further explained that despite being aware of the pitfalls of letting golf define his identity, separating the two is easier said than done. “I would like to change that, but it’s just the reality; it means a lot to me. You could say it’s good or bad.”

Thomas’s honesty tracks with his broader 2025 campaign. While he’s found success—including a win at the RBC Heritage and multiple runner-up finishes—he’s remained emotionally invested in every result. His Oakmont frustrations weren’t just about a missed cut; they were about feeling like he’d let himself down at one of the year’s biggest stages. He admitted that being at a course he enjoys like TPC River Highlands helps the healing process. Thomas’s reaction, though deeply personal, was far from isolated. Oakmont’s punishing setup and high-stakes atmosphere pushed several top players to their breaking points.

2025 U.S. Open boiled over: Outbursts from Oakmont

Justin Thomas wasn’t the only elite player to lose his composure at the 2025 U.S. Open. In fact, his self-admitted internalized frustration paled in comparison to what others did, and didn’t, keep behind closed doors. Wyndham Clark, the 2023 U.S. Open champion, made headlines for all the wrong reasons after missing the cut by a single stroke with back-to-back rounds of 74. The real drama, however, unfolded off the course. Reports of damaged locker doors and splintered panels in the Oakmont player facility went viral, with multiple sources alleging Clark had taken out his frustration in a destructive outburst. After nearly a week of silence, Clark finally spoke at the Travelers Championship: “I made a mistake that I deeply regret. I’m very sorry for what happened.”

Rory McIlroy, meanwhile, showed his anger more publicly. After carding a 74 in Round 1, McIlroy misfired on Oakmont’s brutal 647-yard 12th in Round 2, tossing his club in frustration. Just two holes later, after a poor drive on 17, he smashed a tee marker with his club in another visible outburst. McIlroy managed to make the cut, but not without letting his emotions boil over. And the tension didn’t stop there. Sam Burns, who contended in the final round, was caught on camera muttering, “That’s ridiculous,” after being denied relief from standing water on the 15th hole. He later explained that every practice swing splashed water, yet officials still refused a drop.

Adam Scott, who played in the final pairing and shot a disappointing 79, described the conditions post-storm as “borderline unplayable.” He said soaked fairways made it “very hard controlling the golf ball,” comparing the turf to “aquaplaning on the ground.” Scott even admitted he considered asking for a casual-water ruling himself. Tyrrell Hatton, who finished T4, didn’t hold back either, publicly questioning Oakmont’s design after his ball plugged in a bunker’s steep slope. “I don’t see the need to have so much rough in the side slopes of the bunkers,” he said, echoing a sentiment shared by several in the field. In a year defined by mounting pressure, Oakmont proved a powder keg.