The golf world was rocked today by the “heartbreaking” news that Talor Gooch will not be participating in the 2025 U.S. Open — a moment some are calling the greatest tragedy in modern sports. Cue the violins, because according to Gooch’s supporters, the entire integrity of the tournament is now in question.
Never mind the facts: Gooch carded a +1 through 15 holes during his qualifier, finishing 52nd out of 76 players. He was bested not just by seasoned professionals but by 15 amateurs. And yet, in the eyes of his most loyal defenders, the U.S. Open may as well be declared null and void.
This isn’t satire — this is the actual narrative that’s taken hold in some corners of golf Twitter, where calls for a giant metaphorical asterisk next to this year’s champion are growing louder by the hour. Because apparently, a major championship featuring the world’s top-ranked players, including multiple past champions, up-and-coming stars, and international talents… somehow means less without Talor Gooch.
Let’s be clear: Gooch has had his moments, particularly on the LIV Golf circuit, where his game has found consistency and a loyal fanbase. But to suggest that his failure to qualify — by his own performance — is a loss for the tournament, rather than a reflection of his play on the day, is not just misguided, it’s disrespectful to the players who did earn their way in.
The U.S. Open is famously unforgiving. It doesn’t hand out participation trophies or invite players based on social media sentiment. It’s a meritocratic gauntlet — and this year, Gooch simply didn’t make the cut. That’s golf. That’s sport. That’s life.
Yet, the post-qualifying narrative has morphed into near-comedy: a parade of tweets lamenting that without Gooch, the eventual winner of the U.S. Open will be a “paper champion,” their achievement forever tainted by the ghost of Talor’s +1.
The irony? This is exactly what makes the U.S. Open special. It doesn’t care about reputations, branding, or narratives. It’s a tournament where amateurs can outplay pros. Where past winners can miss the cut. And where, yes, even a player with a solid LIV résumé can fall short.
So while Gooch watches from home, likely already plotting his comeback, the rest of the golf world will press on — as it always has. And when someone hoists the trophy this June, they’ll have done it by walking through fire — not by being handed an exemption based on Twitter vibes.
Sorry, Talor. The real tragedy isn’t that the world won’t see greatness. It’s that somehow, finishing 52nd in a qualifier has become the stuff of legend.
We wish him better luck next year. Maybe start by beating the amateurs.
