Andrew Novak Accuses Justin Thomas of Cheating With Illegal Devices During RBC Heritage Final Round

In a stunning twist at the 2025 RBC Heritage, Andrew Novak has accused fellow PGA Tour pro Justin Thomas of using illegal devices during the final round — a claim that has sent shockwaves through the golf world just hours after Thomas secured victory in a sudden-death playoff.

According to Novak, the alleged incident occurred on the par-4 13th hole, where he says Thomas was seen consulting a device “that didn’t appear to be a standard rangefinder” while preparing for his shot out of a sandy waste area. Novak also claims Thomas may have had “undisclosed equipment” aiding in ball tracking or club calibration — both violations of PGA Tour regulations.

“I wasn’t going to say anything at first,” Novak said in a tense post-round interview. “But when you’re competing at this level, and there’s the suspicion of any kind of outside assistance, especially electronic or otherwise — you have to speak up. This is the integrity of the game we’re talking about.”

The PGA Tour has yet to issue an official comment on the accusation, though officials were reportedly made aware of Novak’s concerns late Sunday evening. Tour policy strictly prohibits the use of performance-enhancing technology during competition rounds, and any proven violation could result in disqualification and further disciplinary action.

Thomas, clearly blindsided by the accusation, denied any wrongdoing. “I have never, and would never, use anything illegal during a round. That’s not who I am,” he said. “I don’t know what Andrew thinks he saw, but I play this game honestly — always have.”

Notably, Thomas had received praise just a day earlier for calling a one-stroke penalty on himself after his ball moved slightly in a waste area, an act seen as a model of sportsmanship.
“This just doesn’t add up,” Novak said. “You can’t self-police one day and play fast and loose the next. I’m not accusing anyone lightly — but I saw what I saw.”

Whether Novak’s claim holds merit or is simply a heat-of-the-moment misinterpretation remains to be seen. The PGA Tour is expected to review broadcast footage and player equipment logs to determine if any rules were breached.

Regardless of the outcome, the accusation has cast a shadow over what should have been a triumphant moment for Justin Thomas — and could open a broader conversation about transparency, trust, and the evolving role of technology in golf.

Leave a Reply
Follow us for more recent updates
Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *
Comment *
Name *
Email *
Website
Save my name, email, and website in this
browser for the next time I comment