Justin Thomas set to ‘embrace the challenge’ at Oakmont as he aims for his third Major victory

Justin Thomas is looking to add a U.S. Open title to his major record this week at Oakmont Country Club. The World No. 5 already holds two PGA Championship wins (2017, 2022) and will now aim for his first U.S. Open victory at one of golf’s toughest venues.

Oakmont is known for its challenging layout especially its thick rough, which has already caused trouble for several players during practice rounds. Thomas acknowledged the difficulty of the course in an Instagram post, writing:

The U.S. Open is back at Oakmont for the third time. In 2007, Ángel Cabrera won at 5-over, while the field averaged +5.6 per round. Notably, that is the toughest scoring average at any U.S. Open since 2000. In 2016, Dustin Johnson won at 4-under in slightly easier conditions.

According to PGA Tour writer Paul Hodowanic, this year’s U.S. Open could lean more towards the 2007 difficulty, depending on weather conditions. In 2007, 60 rounds were recorded at 80 or higher. In 2016, there were only 18 such rounds.

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Justin Thomas made a request to the United States Golf Association (USGA)

Justin Thomas has requested the USGA to test how amateur golfers would perform at Oakmont under U.S. Open conditions. Ahead of the 2025 U.S. Open, Thomas posted on X, asking the USGA to let golfers with handicaps like 5, 10, or 18 play at the course after the tournament ends.

"So much talk about “what would X handicap shoot at Oakmont”… Why don’t we find a way to make it happen? Have a 5, 10, 18 whatever handicap play Monday after the @usopengolf. Back tees full rules of golf, and see what happens? May have to let a few groups thru and allow for 6-7 hours but I think we’re all here for it, no??," he wrote.

Thomas has 16 PGA Tour wins and recently ended a nearly three-year drought by winning the RBC Heritage in April. He shot 61, 69, 69, and 68 to finish at 17-under (267 strokes).

He also has six top-10 finishes in 13 starts this season. Justin Thomas will tee off at 1:03 p.m. ET on Thursday, alongside Min Woo Lee and Brooks Koepka.