Justin Thomas’ comments expose a problem which keeps happening in modern day golf events

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Justin Thomas enjoyed a positive start to day one of the PGA Championship, but his post-round comments expose an ongoing problem in golf.

Chasing his third career major championship win, Thomas carded a one-over 69 on Thursday at Aronimink.

Again joined by fellow Americans Cameron Young and Keegan Bradley, he starts his second round two shots off the lead.

There, he will be hoping for more consistency, having shot three-under on the front nine but two-over on the back nine in his first round of the PGA Championship.

But when explaining that disparity, Thomas did somewhat shed light on the slow play issue that has plagued modern golf for some time.

Justin Thomas’ comments at the PGA Championship expose slow play problem

Speaking at Aronimink, Thomas said of his contrasting front and back nine on day one: “The front nine is definitely more gettable than the back, so that’s a start. I played, I felt like, flawless in there for probably 13 holes.

“Yeah, honestly, I just had a very hard time staying focused. It’s a long, long day out there. It’s so, so tough, very, very windy, some tough pins.

“Really proud of the way I played and the way I hung in there. Solid first round.”

Such was the physical and mental toll that day one of the PGA Championship had on Thomas, he had no energy left to practice afterwards.

Sharing how satisfied he was that the round didn’t get away from him despite moments of frustration, he said: “For sure. I really only hit a couple bad shots today.

“I played really, really solidly and drove the ball well until kind of the last four holes. Hit a lot of great putts, a lot of quality iron shots.

“If I had any energy left, I would go to the range and hit some, but I’m absolutely not doing that.”