The group of players, including Justin Thomas, Keegan Bradley and Cameron Young, received a warning from 2026 PGA Championship officials for slow play during Friday’s second round at Aronimink Golf Club.
Tensions arose when the referee objected to the pace of play during the second round of the championship. During the match, heated arguments were even exchanged between the authorities and judges Thomas and Keegan Bradley.
While playing the fourth hole, the duo were again warned to pick up the pace, leading to an escalating tension marked by finger pointing and gestures. The trio was reportedly ‘put on the clock’ early in the round, sparking animated discussions with a rules official that was captured on television cameras.
Later, Thomas claimed they had no idea why they were being singled out. The players did not keep the pace slow on purpose, in fact some difficult conditions, such as challenging pin placements and strong winds, made the pace of play quite unrealistic and intimidating.
In a post-match interview, Thomas said: “We didn’t just agree. It’s a matter of whole time. How can the time be the same in this game when the wind is blowing 25 and the pins are heavy.”
“We were behind. That wasn’t our problem… It’s just the fact that we didn’t stop the group behind us,” he added.
Thomas said: “I even backed out on my first shot on the clock. It’s just so hard here, and the last thing I’m going to do is make a mistake because I feel like I’m rushing.”
“If, for some reason, we got into a position where I hit bad times and we kept going, I would have had more conversations with the rules officials to plead my case a little bit.”
The incident fueled growing frustration over pacing issues during the championship, where several rounds last longer than 5 hours.
The PGA Championship features a robust field of 156 golfers, with some groups starting their rounds on the back nine.
