'Treat fans better': Golf star lets rip over 'ridiculous' PGA farce

Golf star Justin Thomas has joined fans in calling out the PGA Championship tournament in Oklahoma for charging fans an exorbitant amount for a beer.

The Championship is set to start this week and Thomas is looking to secure his first Tour win after a rather up-and-down 2022.

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However, Thomas has joined the chorus of outrage at the Championships' price tag on a beer this week.

Photos on social media have suggested a beer of Michelob Ultra at the Southern Hills Country Club will go for $18 ($AUD 25).

Stella Artois will fetch $19 ($AUD 27).

This is compared to $13 for a glass of wine and $15 for a cocktail.

Thomas weighed-in on the controversy and called for the tournament to treat the fans better.

"$18(!!!!!!) for a beer… uhhhh what. Gotta treat the fans better than that!" he said.

One fan then asked Thomas if he was playing for the $9 million and questioned where that money was coming from.

And the American couldn't help but take a dig at the tournament in a cheeky reply.

"Tv deals, ticket sales, corporate sponsors, etc. from the looks of it if the concession stands were factored into our purse we would be playing for $15 million," he joked.

In an interview, Thomas doubled down on his call out.

“I just saw it and I was blown away. It’s just a bummer. You want people to come to the tournament," he said.

“If I’m on the fence and I’m looking at the concession stand, that’s not the greatest thing. But at the same time, people aren’t coming to a tournament like, oh, I’m going to go buy a Michelob Ultra, you know what I’m saying.

“I was just blown away because I’ve never seen a beer $US18 or $US19 in my life. Guys have been talking about it, so I, you know, had to stand up for the fans. Felt like it was right.”

Brooks Koepka takes a different tune to beer price

Meanwhile, Brooks Koepka took a different view on the price of beer.

When he was asked by reporters what his thoughts on the expensive price tag, he said: "If you drink enough, you'll be fine."

Fans could point to The Masters as an example on how to treat fans with the prestigious tournament charging $5 for a beer.

Many took to social media to express their shock at what it would cost for admission and few beers at the Southern Hills Country Club this week.

The PGA Championship defended its decision and said the prices were 'sort of comparable to stadium events'.

At the Super Bowl earlier this year, the price tag on beer was $19 for craft beer and $17 for local.

Thomas will be looking to add a second PGA Championship to his trophy collection.

The American finished fifth at the AT&T Byron Nelson and placed tied 8th at The Masters in April.

Thomas last won the event in 2017, which also saw him win the Tour Player of the Year honour.

This year's PGA Championship will mark just the third time in 50 years a player won't defend the title.

Mickelson became the oldest champion in history at the age of 50 in 2021 with his victory accompanied with some incredible images of all his fans cheering him on.

The six-time major winner officially registered for the US PGA and next month's US Open on April 25, but also requested a release from the PGA Tour to play the first LIV Golf Invitational Series event from June 9-11.

And since his request was denied, the defending champion has withdrawn from the major.

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