August 7th, 2018
St. Louis, Missouri, United States
Arriving at Bellerive Country Club for the 100th PGA Championship, Justin Thomas is on the cusp of history. He recorded his second PGA Tour victory this season after winning by four strokes at the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational at Firestone in Akron, Ohio. After winning his first PGA Championship last year at Quail Hollow, Thomas is trying to be the fifth golfer to win back to back PGA’s this week, the last being Tiger Woods in 2006 and 2007. The talented golf star is attempting to join Rory McIlroy and Tiger Woods as the only golfers to have won the week before at Firestone and the PGA Championship.
When he sank his final putt on the 18th hole, Thomas instantly became emotional when he saw his grandparents, Paul and Phyllis Thomas, close to the green, witnessing live their grandson win a golf tournament for the first time.
“I just got a huge knot in my throat and I just had to put my head down,” Thomas said after closing with a 1-under 69 for his first World Golf Championship title. “I’ve never gotten like that on the golf course before. You just don’t know if they’re ever going to see me win if I don’t win here. So it was pretty cool to get it done.”
Thomas Steady in Comfortable WGC-Bridgestone Victory
Justin Thomas hardly broke any sweat on Sunday en route to the last PGA Tour victory at Firestone. He was in the final group, playing with Rory McIlroy, who sat three shots off the lead. Thomas only needed two birdies on the card and his competition faded under the final round pressure to propel him to victory. McIlroy, his playing partner, shot a three-over 73. Ian Poulter, who was also three back of Thomas, had five bogeys and a double bogey on the card to a final round 74. And Jason Day, who had an opportunity to chase Thomas, shot a final round 73.
Generating a 75% greens in regulation and 59% driving accuracy, it is clear that Thomas’ steady play was critical to winning at Firestone. On a course that became tougher over the weekend, Thomas needed to play in a methodical manner, using his accurate shotmaking to generate success.
“I was in a great spot because it’s hard to attack and make birdies out here when it’s like this,” said Thomas, who completed 72 holes in 15-under 265. “The first two days it would have been a lot harder to hold a three-shot lead than it was today. We were just kind of playing smart and trying to make as many pars as we could and sprinkle in a couple of birdies.”
Thomas Relying on Previous PGA Championship Experience for Bellerive
Last year, Justin Thomas finally broke into the major championship winner’s circle, capturing the Wanamaker Trophy by two strokes with a final round 68. A chip in on the 10th hole and a brilliant birdie putt on the par-3 17th at Quail Hollow sealed the deal for the rising star to win his first PGA Championship.
But it all could have been for nothing if it weren’t for a great finish in his opening round.
“I was five over for the round and I hit it to a horrible spot on the 8th. I made one of my best up and downs of the year last year for par,” recounts Thomas. “Making par and birdieing my last hole of the day propelled me to believe that I can still win this tournament.”
Even sitting two strokes behind Kevin Kisner and Hideki Matsuyama, Thomas was never worried. Emulating routines of when he won on the PGA Tour was evidently helpful for the young star, who overcame final round pressure to finish the tournament on top.
“The long hours of working on my short game and putting paid off for me. I played the final round like any other normal round. I will have to adopt similar traits this week if I want to defend.”
Bellerive is a course that rewards golfers that are accurate and can hit the ball straight in the fairway. With Thomas ranked 3rd in total strokes gained, 9th in driving distance and 33rd greens in regulation on the PGA Tour, he is in terrific shape to etch himself into PGA Championship history by capturing the impressive back to back feat.
