After the PGA Championship at Aronimink Golf Club in Newtown Square, Justin Thomas made a comment that he loves the Philadelphia-area golf courses and wants to see more golf events there. Little did he know that a sports writer would take his comments and extend them for comedic effect. Unusual or funny stories often gain traction, even if they aren’t true.
How did the rumor start?
Matt Schultz, a comedy and sports writer from Philadelphia, started the rumor that Thomas wants the U.S. Open to be hosted at Bensalem Township Country Club. He wrote a post on the Crossing Broad site that playfully stretched the golfer’s post-tournament comments. Others then re-posted, which resulted in the rumor spreading on social media.
The sports writer joked that Thomas wants to experience Bensalem himself and bring the entire golf world with him. He sees him having a drink and unwinding after a round at Parx Casino in Bensalem. It is the largest casino in Pennsylvania and owns the betPARX online casino.
Matt Schultz writes tongue-in-cheek about Thomas staying at Red Roof Inn, strolling in Benjamin Rush Park, catching a basketball game at Saint Charles, or checking out the Neshaminy Mall. None of this came from Thomas himself but is written from the perspective of the writer. The Bensalem angle was just the writer having fun and pretending to ‘read between the lines’ of the golfer’s comments.
Why is it a rumor?
The U.S. Open may be open to professional and amateur players, but it isn’t credible that it would be held in Bensalem. It only takes place at prestigious venues with the amount of space and infrastructure the championships require. The courses must prove that the golfers can handle some of the most difficult conditions golf has to offer.
The public golf course in Bucks County made headlines due to playful coverage by the sports writer. However, it doesn’t have the historical pedigree or infrastructure the USGA requires. The U.S. Open needs world-class, heavily tested venues. This club doesn’t have a course layout to challenge the elite golf professionals to their limits. It doesn’t have the space for corporate hospitality tents, huge grandstands, or enough parking.
It may not have major championship status, but the Bensalem Country Club still hosts local and regional amateur qualifiers. Located just outside Philadelphia, its golf course is well-maintained, and the clubhouse is elegant. The Bensalem Golf Association offers tournaments and league play throughout the golf season.
Who is Justin Thomas?
Unverified information can gain traction when people lack the facts and believe the source is reliable. People will often share what they want to believe, and when they think Justin Thomas is saying it, it reinforces the information.
When looking at his player profile, Thomas had 15 victories in his first eight seasons on the PGA Tour. He was born in Louisville, Kentucky, and his grandfather and father were both golf professionals. When he was at the University of Alabama, he earned the title of top collegiate golfer in the state.
In 2017, he was named PGA Player of the Year at the age of 24. He won the PGA Championship again in 2022, but since then his career has fluctuated. A serious back injury continues to set limits for him, and he is being careful after having a back operation in November 2025.
Thomas started at Aronimink with high expectations but had a disappointing two-over 72 on Saturday. He practiced long after most of the other players had left on Saturday afternoon, and on Sunday, he bounced back and eventually finished with a tie for second place. In 42 career major starts, this was only the fourth time he managed a round of 65 or better.
Outlandish rumors, such as that the U.S. Open will take place in Bensalem, are likely to fade once they are starved of attention and the facts are stated. Some rumors raise more concerns than others, and this one isn’t going to do any harm. Philadelphia residents who buy into the rumor may experience a momentary thrill, but that excitement is likely to vanish as soon as they discover it’s false.
