Justin Thomas Takes Off Shoes, Steps into Water Hazard to Save His Round
Justin Thomas delivered one of the most talked-about moments of the opening day at the PGA Championship by choosing creativity over caution. Faced with a tricky lie on the 18th hole at Quail Hollow, Thomas removed his shoes and socks and stood ankle-deep in a water hazard to take a bold chip shot rather than accepting a drop.
The Shot That Turned Heads
After his approach shot bounced off a rock and settled near the creek, the two-time Major winner surprised fans and commentators alike with his decision to play it as it lay. Opening his stance, Thomas carefully measured his swing and executed a stunning chip to within 12 feet of the hole—drawing admiration from both fans and analysts.
ESPN analyst Curtis Strange initially urged him not to attempt the shot, saying, “Don’t do it.” But after seeing the result, even he had to admit, “It’s better than that,” when a colleague called it “incredible.”
Outcome: Bogey, But Brilliance
Although Thomas missed the par putt and carded a bogey five, the daring recovery likely saved him from a double bogey or worse. Fans quickly took to social media to express their amazement, with one commenting, “Amazing recovery—I wish he would’ve made the putt,” and another adding, “That’s an incredible save. He was doing it all day long.”
Tough Day on the Scorecard
Despite the highlight, Thomas finished his round with a two-over 73, nine shots behind first-round leader Jhonattan Vegas. Vegas birdied five of his last six holes to lead the field, with Ryan Gerard and Cam Davis sitting two strokes back.
McIlroy, Scheffler Also Struggling
Rory McIlroy, coming off his Masters triumph, also had a rough start. He trails Thomas by one shot and is ten behind the lead—making his hopes for back-to-back Major titles an uphill climb.
Scottie Scheffler was vocal about the soggy conditions on the course, criticizing the rule that prevented players from lifting embedded balls on the fairway. “I don’t believe hitting it in the middle of the fairway should result in a penalty,” he said, highlighting the challenges the wet turf posed for controlling the ball.
With round two underway, fans are eager to see if Thomas’s gutsy shot can inspire a stronger finish—or if Quail Hollow’s conditions will continue to separate the contenders from the crowd.