This year Justin Thomas has graduated from being a very good player to becoming a dominant force in world golf , thereby shaking off the tag of ‘Jordan Spieth’s good friend’.
Having watched on as childhood friend Spieth enjoyed a meteoric rise in the game, winning his maiden title as a 19-year-old in 2013 before capturing two majors in 2015, many knew Thomas only for his friendship with the Texan rather than for his own golf game.
Nevertheless, Thomas has remained patient and trusted that his time in the spotlight was just around the corner.
Thomas got the monkey off his back by capturing his maiden PGA Tour title at the 2015 CIMB Classic. Since then Thomas has not looked back and has taken his game to the next level.
He began the current season in red-hot fashion by defending his CIMB Classic title before sweeping to consecutive victories in the Hawaiian swing.
What’s extremely impressive about Thomas is his appetite for low scores. During the first round of the Sony Open, he inked his name into the record books by becoming the youngest player to shoot 59 on the PGA Tour.
His round, which included eight birdies, two eagles and a lone bogey guarenteed him another piece of PGA Tour history — his 27-under par winning total setting a new 72-hole scoring record.
More was to come at the 117th US Open at Erin Hills. In round three, Thomas shot 63 to record the lowest score relative to par in US Open history.
When Thomas won the PGA Championship for his maiden major title, it confirmed to us all that he had indeed announced himself as a force on the world stage.
Tremendous consistency in all departments of Thomas’ game has helped him rise to fourth in the world at the time of writing. At only 145 lbs, Thomas’s average driving distance this season of 309 yards is truly phenomenal.
Not only does Thomas hit the ball miles but has also been dialled in with his wedges too, ranking first on the Tour this season in proximity to the hole with approaches from within 125 yards.
When he does miss the green though, he can rely on a terrific ability to scramble to keep momentum on his side. During his most recent win at the Dell Technologies Championship for example, Thomas got up-and-down a mind-boggling 21/22 times en route to his fifth victory of the season.
To date, Thomas has six PGA Tour victories to his name with two events of his third full season remaining. To put into perspective how impressive that is, Justin Rose has been on Tour for 18 years and only amassed seven.
The only items missing from Thomas’ outstanding resume are appearances in the Presidents and Ryder Cups. Having finished third on the qualification standings for the Presidents Cup to be held at Liberty National at the end of September, he is set to to make his first appearance for the red, white and blue as a professional.
Whomever comes up against Thomas at Liberty National will have their hands full!
Photo: Golf Digest
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