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US Open: Johnny Miller not too excited about Justin Thomas breaking record

By Colin Mieczkowski

Jun 17, 2017; Erin, WI, USA; Justin Thomas walks up to the applause of the crowd on the 18th green during the third round of the U.S. Open golf tournament at Erin Hills. Mandatory Credit: Michael Madrid-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 17, 2017; Erin, WI, USA; Justin Thomas walks up to the applause of the crowd on the 18th green during the third round of the U.S. Open golf tournament at Erin Hills. Mandatory Credit: Michael Madrid-USA TODAY Sports /
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Justin Thomas broke the long-standing U.S. Open scoring record once held by Johnny Miller, but the former golfer turned broadcaster was not exactly applauding Thomas.

U.S. Open storylines abound and Justin Thomas joined the crowd Saturday. Thomas has had an amazing golf season which included a 59 at the Sony Open. Now, the former Alabama Crimson Tide golfer has broken the U.S. Open scoring record, with a scorching  9-under 63 at Erin Hills.

Thomas’ third-round 63 eclipsed the famed 8-under record set by Johnny Miller in 1973 at Oakmont that has been a major point of pride for the golfer turned broadcaster since. That may be why Miller didn’t seem all that pleased about it, pointing out why his 1973 score was still better.

"Taking nothing away from 9-under par, 9-under is incredible with U.S. Open pressure. But it isn’t a U.S. Open course that I’m familiar with the way it was set up.”"

Although he did tip his hat ever so quickly to Thomas, Miller certainly didn’t gush about it. Not only that, he gave Erin Hills a piece of his mind, basically stating that the course is a reason why Thomas’ score wasn’t as significant.

"“It looks like a PGA TOUR event course setup.”"

He also said Erin Hills “isn’t exactly Oakmont”.  Erin Hills is a very versatile course, and yes, it could host a PGA TOUR event, but I also feel it is a worthy major host course.

The course that’s being played shouldn’t determine the greatness of a round of golf.

Just because golfers are shooting low scores in the U.S. Open,  it doesn’t mean Erin Hills isn’t a fabulous course. It changes a lot as you play through, and it makes it an exciting track.

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Oakmont is one of the most famous courses in the world and has been around for ages so it’s an unfair comparison. Furthermore, Erin Hills is still growing, but it will be a monster down the road, and it will undoubtedly host another major.

The way the course changes on you makes it tough. No two holes are the same, so the preparation for that has to be mind-boggling. Plus, if it was such an easy course, the top three players in the world wouldn’t have missed the cut.

Thomas still earned the record. Miller’s run at Oakmont is still legendary, but it’s tough to take away from what Thomas did. Not to mention that he hit a jaw dropping shot to break the record.

Keep in mind, Thomas was also battling it out on one of the most insane leaderboards you’ll ever see. The pressure of gaining that boost of confidence going into Sunday played a huge role during the third round.

Thomas delivered, and now he has a shot at capturing his first major championship, as he’s only a shot behind leader Brian Harman. Not only that, if he keeps putting his clubs in the microwave to heat up, he may catch Rory McIlroy’s record in 2011 of 16-under.

To make a long story short. Thomas was awesome, and Erin Hills will host more majors down the road. I see a PGA Championship in its future.

Next: Erin Hills caddie reveals secrets about the track

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