CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Eight years in the past, a 24-year-old Justin Thomas celebrated his first main victory at Quail Hole throughout the 2017 PGA Championship. This week, he returns to the acquainted website as a unique particular person and golfer, however nonetheless looking out for a similar outcome.
“I used to be very lucky to have success at a younger age,” Thomas stated Tuesday. “However if you’re 23, 24 years previous, it is similar to you do not have the rest to consider or to have to fret about. You have no scar tissue. You have no expertise.”
What appeared like a harbinger of successes to return again then has advanced: Thomas now seems to be again at the moment with a mix of nostalgia and envy.
Thomas has 16 PGA Tour wins and added one other PGA Championship title to his main tally in 2022, however by way of the ups and downs of his profession, he stated he wants a reminder of his final purpose. He discovered that reminder as he watched Rory McIlroy have a good time his career Grand Slam at Augusta Nationwide’s 18th inexperienced final month.
“After watching the Masters, it was like, in fact — clearly I knew I at all times wished to win the Grand Slam, I wished to win all of the majors,” Thomas stated. “However for some cause, watching anyone do it firsthand, it jogged my memory virtually of, ‘Rattling, I forgot, I actually do wish to try this.’ It is bizarre. It is one thing I believe all of us — some sure individuals possibly hit us in numerous methods by way of jealousy or drive or no matter you wish to name it.”
When Thomas burst onto the scene, he famous it was his shut good friend Jordan Spieth who had extra of a spot within the limelight. Thomas has by no means lacked for aggressive fireplace, however he acknowledged that watching gamers similar to Scottie Scheffler and McIlroy stand atop the sport sparks one thing inside. When requested how a lot he is fueled by the need to remind those that he is among the finest gamers of his era, Thomas didn’t hesitate.
“Loads,” he stated. “Anytime somebody wins that is not me, if it is a good friend, I am clearly completely happy for them, however there’s at all times going to be part of me that is jealous and desires it was me. I believe you would be loopy to say in any other case.”
Thomas’ highway hasn’t been clean. He hit all-time low in 2023, when he missed the reduce at three of the 4 majors. However his sport has been slowly trending in the best course since. This season, Thomas has six top-10 finishes and a win on the RBC Heritage, a signature occasion. His placing has vastly improved — he is gaining simply over half a stroke on the greens this season after dropping a 3rd of a stroke final 12 months — and Knowledge Golf ranks him because the fifth-best participant on the earth proper now.
“I want to suppose and hope I am a extra mature particular person and golfer. However I do not suppose it is honest to play the comparability sport,” Thomas stated. “I hope however firmly consider that a few of my greatest continues to be forward of me, and I do know that I’ve that in there. I simply should form of go discover it and show it.”
