Justin Thomas Says Major Practice Rounds Are 'Terrible' and Nobody's Talking About It

Alright, sports fans, you guys gotta hear about this because it's wild. Our man Justin Thomas just dropped a bomb about the U.S. Open, and honestly, it sounds like a nightmare. He's out there in Southampton, New York, gearing up for the third major of the year, and he just straight up said practice rounds have "gotten terrible." Yeah, *terrible*.

Three Hours for Nine Holes? Are You Kidding Me?

Seriously, JT isn't mincing words. He's talking about the U.S. Open and the British Open, where you gotta sign up for tee times, and then people just pack in for foursomes. His complaint? "You can't play nine holes in less than three hours." Can you even believe that? We're talking about the best golfers in the world, trying to prep for one of the toughest tests, and they're stuck in what sounds like a Sunday morning scramble at your local muni. That's just insane, especially when you're facing a beast like Shinnecock. You'd think these guys would have a smooth path to dial in their game, not an endless wait.

The Jack Nicklaus Playbook Is the Only Way Out

So, what's a pro to do when the practice rounds are basically a traffic jam? They're going old school, channeling the GOAT, Jack Nicklaus himself. The trick is to see the course super early, before it's swamped with players. Scottie Scheffler and Rory McIlroy actually took a detour to Shinnecock Hills a couple of weeks back, Scheffler seeing it for the first time, and McIlroy getting a refresher. Jon Rahm was out there last Friday. And get this: Patrick Reed, who hasn't even played since the PGA Championship last month, reportedly knows Shinnecock better than some of its own members because he's been there so much. Nicklaus used to hate the early-week chaos. He said he got his practice in the week before so he knew what he wanted to do, avoiding those six-hour slogs. McIlroy had limited practice time at the PGA Championship because of a blister, but he'd already hit up Aronimink two weeks prior for serious prep. It's like, if you're not planning ahead, you're just gonna get bogged down. McIlroy also pointed to "too many people inside the ropes" as a problem, with TV crews and equipment staff tagging along. He thinks guys are "resigned to the fact that they're going to play nine holes, so it's OK to be out there for three hours." Nobody plays 18-hole practice rounds anymore the week of a major, which just gives everyone an excuse to play slow and hit a million balls. Even Tiger Woods used to have his caddie, Steve Williams, adjust the clock on the first tee to make sure he got out early and had nine holes to himself. It's that bad.

What's Next for Shinnecock?

This whole situation makes you wonder what kind of mental toll this is taking before the tournament even starts. This U.S. Open week is already one of the most draining of the year, just from the sheer mental stress that a course like Shinnecock demands. Now add this practice round mayhem to the mix. These guys are basically spending their pre-tournament energy just trying to get a decent look at the course. You gotta wonder if this chaos is just gonna drain these guys before they even hit the first official tee shot. What kind of show are we gonna get this week at Shinnecock? It's gonna be a grind, that's for sure.

This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.