PGA Tour pro Justin Lower is knocking on the door of his first win. He’s been so close, you can almost taste it! The 35-year-old has been grinding away for years, showing real consistency on tour this season. While he hasn’t yet lifted a trophy, he’s managed to notch up three top-10 finishes in 2024 and is currently inside the top 100 in the FedExCup standings. This year, Lower’s game has really started to click. He’s been working hard on his putting and other aspects, which have paid off—evident from his third-place finish at the Mexico Open earlier this season.

Now, with the season winding down, Lower is putting his skills to the test at the $6.9 million event, the Butterfield Bermuda Championship. He is currently sitting at No.3 on the leaderboard. Indeed a strong position, yet far from a guarantee in a sport where the winds—both figuratively and literally—can change everything, especially in Bermuda. And speaking of winds, they’ve been a thorn for Lower this week.

After round three, Justin Lower didn’t hold back during his post-round interview. When asked about his day, he candidly said, “Ball-striking was pretty good till the wind started picking up. Felt like I had a chance on every hole on the front, just wish the putter would have cooperated a little more.”

The winds have certainly affected the play. Both the first and second rounds were forced to halt due to darkness, and by the time round three rolled around, AccuWeather had already warned that wind gusts would pick up. The PGA Tour even hinted at possibly suspending the round, noting “a threat of severe weather starting around 12 noon, specifically dangerously high winds.”

But the round went on anyway, despite the challenging weather conditions. Sharing his frustrations with the situation, he admitted to some misreads on the greens, but it was the wind-swept back nine that really had him fired up. “I think if a top-10 or top-15 player in the world was here and they wanted to stop, I think the rules officials would have said, “Yeah, we’ll stop….,” he added.

When NUCLRGOLF shared his comments on their X handle, fans were quick to weigh in—and let’s just say, it didn’t go over well. Many felt JT was whining about something that’s just part of the game, especially on a course like this.

Fans call out Justin Lower for too much whining

Honesty doesn’t always pay off well—just ask Justin Lower. His candid post-round comments about the brutal Bermuda winds earned him some tough love from fans online. Many were quick to remind him that challenging weather is just part of the deal, especially on a course like this. One user didn’t hold back, saying, “When you show up at the Bermuda Championship, probably expect this could happen.”

Another chimed in with a solid counterpoint, pointing out Wesley Bryan’s outstanding performance, who tied the course record with a 10-under 61 in the same conditions. “Wesley Bryan tied the course record in those conditions. Stop whining,” the user wrote.

Then there was a sharp jab referencing Rory McIlroy: “Play better. – Rory.” While that might sting, McIlroy has never directly commented on Lower’s performance. However, he has frequently discussed the importance of mental toughness and the need to improve one’s game, particularly in challenging conditions. For example, during the 2024 season, McIlroy emphasized how golf demands adaptability, noting that it’s essential to have a game that can thrive in a variety of conditions, per PGA Tour. 

Many took a more critical tone, accusing Lower of lacking mental toughness. One fan fired back, saying, “This Lower guy, who always finds something to whine about, has ZERO mental toughness. This clown needs to also develop a golf game that “travels”. That can adapt to tough weather. Hit the ball low, work it right to left! Golf is not played in a dome! Toughen up!!!!!!”

Some even questioned his sense of entitlement, writing, “Why does he feel entitled to enjoy the perks of the best players? Why is he at war against the hierarchy of reality?”

So, what’s your take on Justin Lower’s attitude? Was he justified in his frustration, or are fans right to call him out for not adapting to the conditions?