Skip to content

Miller on Thomas' 63: 'Erin Hills isn't exactly Oakmont'

Michael Madrid-USA TODAY Sports

Golf fans received a brief response from Johnny Miller on Saturday afternoon, after Justin Thomas broke his U.S. Open single-round scoring record with a 9-under-par 63.

Miller, who famously shot a final-round 63 en route to the 1973 U.S. Open at Oakmont, applauded Thomas' round, but also pointed out that this year's venue can't be compared to Oakmont, a place that has held nine Opens.

"It looks like a PGA Tour event course setup,” Miller told the Golf Channel. “There are 50-yard fairways. I’m not sure where the days of the 24- to 29-yard-wide fairways that we played every time went. It’s interesting to see where the USGA has gone with the U.S. Open, being a little more friendly than in years past. And secondly, Erin Hills isn't exactly Oakmont."

The 24-year-old Thomas became the 31st golfer to post a round of 63 in a major championship, but Miller's 63 has always been considered one of the greatest rounds in golf because of the course setup.

"It was never that way in the U.S. Open. It was always about really tight fairways and having to be a great driver," said the NBC analyst. "This went totally against the tradition of the U.S. Open.”

Daily Newsletter

Get the latest trending sports news daily in your inbox