Justin Thomas is eighteen holes away from his first victory in additional than two years.
Kevin C. Cox/Getty Photos
Heading into the ultimate spherical of the Hero World Problem, Justin Thomas is unexpectedly on the precipice of a comeback win. However there may be one issue complicating his feelings with simply 18 holes to go.
Thomas fired a six-under 66 in Saturday’s third spherical at Albany to go World No.1 Scottie Scheffler and take the lead. If he holds on to win, it will be his first victory in over two years, relationship again to the 2022 PGA Championship.
Though the Hero isn’t an official PGA Tour occasion, the win would symbolize a significant comeback for the star who has struggled on the course for years, and it will be an excellent signal of issues to come back in 2025.
The ‘new aspect’ of Tiger Woods? Justin Thomas has witnessed it up shut
However just a few weeks in the past, one thing even greater occurred in Thomas’ life: he turned a father for the primary time.
Thomas and spouse Jillian welcomed their daughter Molly into the world in mid-November, making this the primary time Thomas has performed a match as a dad. It’s additionally the primary time he’s been away from his spouse and daughter for a major period of time for the reason that beginning.
On condition that actuality, he has some combined emotions spinning inside his head this week, describing the push-and-pull between lacking his household and making an attempt to win a match as a “bizarre mixture” in his press convention Saturday night.
“There’s been loads of issues that crossed my thoughts, however making an attempt to play in addition to I can and miss my women at house, yeah, it’s a bizarre — it’s a bizarre mixture,” Thomas defined. “Clearly by no means skilled it earlier than, however I’m excited to have an opportunity to win tomorrow and in addition get house to see them tomorrow.”
Thomas additionally revealed that ought to he win on Sunday, it will mark a shocking career-first for the Tour veteran: the primary time his buddy Tiger Woods has handed him a trophy.
Because of this membership, Justin Thomas says he’s hitting tee photographs 15 yards longer
“That may be nice,” Thomas stated of the prospect Tiger will current him with the Hero {hardware}. “I’ve had a pair alternatives prior to now, nevertheless it’s undoubtedly one thing I’d like to examine off my field in my profession sooner or later.”
This week Thomas has proven plain enchancment from earlier this season. He switched to an extended 46-inch driver shaft and claims to have gained 15 yards off the tee because of this. Win or lose, he acknowledged Saturday that the progress he’s been working arduous to see is lastly coming to fruition.
“I’ve been progressing properly, been engaged on all the appropriate issues. Really feel like I’ve been seeing indicators of enchancment, which is what you need and that’s all I can do,” Thomas stated. “I can’t management all people else or what’s happening, I’ve simply acquired to maintain enjoying nearly as good as I presumably can and hope that it’s sufficient come Sunday.”
