It was 2023. Zach Johnson had just revealed his Ryder Cup wildcard picks. And much to the golf world’s surprise, Justin Thomas was part of it. But then what ensued from the community was anything but pretty for the PGA Tour Pro, for the fans and some pros took to lash out against the skipper for his choices. Fast forward a year later, and the golfer appears to be in a dilemma of sorts when it comes to the upcoming President’s Cup.
“Do you feel like you’re auditioning this week for Jim?” asked a reporter in an interview ahead of the 2024 TOUR Championship. Coming out candidly about the same, the golfer replied, “A little bit. I guess I would answer that, I don’t feel like I am for me.” However, he made sure to also point out how it wouldn’t be the case for Jim Furyk, the skipper of the U.S. team, who would be looking at him as a potential pick; “But if I was him, I would say I am, if that makes sense.”
USA Today via Reuters
May 13, 2024; Louisville, Kentucky, USA; Justin Thomas watched his bunker shot on the 2nd green during a practice round for the PGA Championship golf tournament at Valhalla Golf Club. Mandatory Credit: Sam Upshaw Jr.-USA TODAY Sports
The professional then alluded to the number of spots available before highlighting the reason behind his reply. He said, “With how many people have an opportunity, I think it would be — he’s definitely looking at guys that are potential picks and how they’re playing,” while referring to the six spots left for the team. Interestingly, the captain’s assistant Stewart Cink had recently hinted at how there are only around 1o potential candidates for the skipper’s wildcard picks that will be announced on September 3.
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“But most importantly, I am here and I know that some guys aren’t,” said the pro while calling attention to his spot on the 2024 FedEx Cup ranking (T30) ahead of the TOUR Championship. But JT also didn’t forget to recount how he had been selected for the Ryder Cup despite not even being in the Playoffs last season. “But then again, I was in that spot last year where there were guys that were trying to get picked and I wasn’t even in the Playoffs,” said the athlete. Back then, the golfer had been outside the top 70 (T78 on the FedEx Cup Fall standing) and was unable to tee off at the St. Jude Championship.
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Justin Thomas, meanwhile, also expressed how at ease he felt this year than in 2023 about getting picked for the biennial event. “It’s not from a lack of wanting to be on the team or feel like it’s not as important, Just my priorities are in a better place,” added the 31-year-old as he hinted at how earning a spot on the team would be a huge push; “It would be nice to play well for a lot of reasons this week, but that would definitely be one.” Nevertheless, he made sure to convey his true feelings; “I obviously really, really want to be on that team.” But the question arises; will a replication of the 2023 events occur where his getting chosen be met with backlash?
Justin Thomas’s entry into the 2023 Ryder Cup squad
The 2023 season saw JT struggling a lot on the greens leading to a sub-par performance in many events. There were a lot of people who expressed their dissent over his inclusion into the team instead of Keegan Bradley, the latter of whom had six top-10 finishes including two wins and a runner-up placement. At the same time, Thomas had just four top-10 finishes from the 21 starts he made that season.
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But then why did Zach Johnson pick him to be part of the team? Well, the skipper himself had answered the question ahead of the prestigious tournament. “He has all the intangibles and the innate ability to rally guys around him and be a leader vocally but also without having to say much,” replied the captain. Moreover, he mentioned that a part of the reason was the six golfers who automatically qualified also wanted him on the team; “Those guys were, you know, adamant they wanted those six other guys to help complete their team, and J.T. was one of them.”
Coming back to the present, the 2-time major champion would be looking forward to making the team after dishing out a good performance at the TOUR Championship. He had confidently expressed the same when he said, “If I play the golf that I know I should it’ll take care of itself.” His fans would be hoping for him to make the team as well!
