U.S. Open: Golf fans criticise Justin Thomas over 'smug' reaction to rollback announcement

Justin Thomas was criticised by some golf fans after the American shared his joy over the decision to delay the rollback.

Golf's rule makers announced on the eve of the 2026 U.S. Open that plans to limit how far balls will fly in the professional game have been put on hold. 

The USGA and R&A announced in December 2023 that a golf ball rollback would be introduced in the elite game in 2028, with amateurs to follow two years later.

But now it has been confirmed that no change in the elite and amateur game will occur before 2030, with alternative options including bifurcation back on the table. 

Thomas appeared joyful when he was asked about the situation by Golf Channel ahead of the third men's major of the year at Shinnecock Hills. 

"It's great, man," Thomas told Todd Lewis. 

"I was very excited when I heard, I think all the players were, and I think that the players in USGA have had their differences over the years. 

"But I just think they'd be crazy to think differently after coming into the meeting and talking to us and just realising what was going on and just understanding that the thought of things potentially needing to be done isn't incorrect, but just how they were going about it wasn't fixing it. 

"It wasn't solving any problems."

Thomas queried whether there was a problem in the first place. 

"And I think in their eyes, it's just the problem of people hitting it too far," he said. 

"And it wasn't fixing that. I mean, I don't know about you, but if I hit it so-called eight to 10 yards shorter overnight, I promise you the first thing I'm going to do when I come out here is and hit three wood off the first hole when I'm hitting driver.

"I'm actually going to try to hit it further because I'm hitting it shorter. So if anything, in my opinion, it was making the problem worse. 

"It was bringing more drivers in people's hands. And that's just how the game is now and how we are. We're trained to get the best and most out of what we have.

"So telling guys are going to hit it shorter, we're just going to figure out how to hit it further. 

"So if anything, give us something that goes way too far or in a different way. So I think once they were kind of hearing us say that, you know, maybe open their eyes a little bit."

Some golf fans on X accused Thomas not engaging properly with the issue. 

"His full comments here are contradictory and nonsensical, for the record," one said. "It is clear that very few players have taken the time to understand the distance issue."

Another added: "There are other golfers out there. Can we get some other perspectives other than JT's ridiculousness."

Watch the interview here:

Thomas wasn't the only PGA Tour member to offer his thoughts. 

Michael Kim, who has become a popular figure on X, said he believes that bifurcation is now the only option. 

Kim also suggested only allowing the professionals to have 10 clubs instead of 14 in their bags. 

"Bifurcation is the only way to create the effect the USGA and the roll back crowd wants, Kim said..

"The line is way too thin for them to try and get the best of both worlds."

Kim added: "If they truly want 'shotmaking' to be more important, then going to 10 clubs will make that happen instantly.

"I think the USGA want less bomb and gouge, yet the rollback will only make driver and distance even more important."

Keep checking GolfMagic for regular updates of the 2026 U.S. Open.