Justin Thomas criticises Pebble Beach's removal of a tree on the 16th hole.

Pebble Beach removed a Monterey cypress about 90 yards short of the 16th green in early September. Justin Thomas criticised the change on social media and questioned golf courses' wider use of tree removal.

Pebble Beach and the USGA confirmed that the governing body had no involvement in removing the tree ahead of next year's U.S. Open.