Justin Thomas reverses puzzling trend at PGA

NEWTOWN SQUARE, Pa. — In some methods, it ought to come as zero shock that Justin Thomas is within the combine at the PGA Championship.

Thomas is a two-time winner at this occasion, in spite of everything; he received the 2017 PGA at Quail Hollow and the 2022 edition at Southern Hills. He’s amongst this era’s perfect golfers. Of course, he is inside the highest 10 at Aronimink’s midway mark.

But here is what’s unusual: in 15 majors since that 2022 win, Thomas has logged precisely one end inside the highest 30. He’s missed seven cuts in that span. It defies logic that the 16-time PGA Tour winner can be an also-ran within the recreation’s greatest occasions, however that is been his irritating actuality.

“Just got to get back to work and try to get better,” Thomas mentioned at the conclusion of final yr’s Open Championship, the place he completed T34.

And that is why Thomas’ back-to-back rounds of one-under 69 to start out this week’s PGA meant somewhat one thing additional.

“A lot of satisfaction for sure,” Thomas mentioned after Friday’s spherical. “I felt like — I was very comfortable getting there. I think that’s what I’m probably more proud of or happy about than the scores themselves were I didn’t put any extra pressure on myself these first couple days. I didn’t feel like I made this moment bigger than it was.”

That was a window into Thomas’ thoughts; it is clear that he is been attempting to unravel the riddle, and generally attempting too arduous, after which attempting to not strive too arduous. So he was proud to remain the course even after two bogeys in his first three holes on Friday.

“It’s just, I really have felt like I’m doing a lot of things well and swinging well and playing well and been putting it well. So, just go out and play,” he mentioned. “It sounds really easy if you say it, however it’s one of many hardest issues to do on this sport, for my part.

“So I’m very, very pleased and proud of myself for doing that these first couple days and, yeah, just kind of playing what the course kind of gives me. So just try to do more of that weekend.”