Kentucky golfer keeps his cool at Quail Hollow
Young American Justin Thomas held his nerve down ‘The Green Mile’ at Quail Hollow, North Carolina in the 99th US PGA Championship (7-13 August) to win his first Major. The Kentucky-born 24-year old shot a final round of 68 on Sunday to win his third tournament on the PGA Tour this season by two strokes. It was another proud moment for the third generation PGA golf professional, his family and friends, and in particular his buddy Jordan Spieth.
Thomas had been peaking all year. Not just with victories, but also with incredible rounds like the 59 in the Sony Open, which he went on to win, and a (then) record-equalling 63 in the US Open at Erin Hills which fellow American Brooks Koepka won.
America’s latest rising star had to take more than a few deep breaths down the closing holes at Quail Hollow. Keeping a cool head in the humid conditions was not easy. Calming the nerves was just as tricky. Former Tour player Jimmy Johnson, who now caddies for Thomas, took care of that. The game plan was to stay patient and wait for Kevin Kisner, the overnight leader who was two ahead, to make a mistake.
Indeed, at the start of Sunday’s play only two other players had stood between Thomas and the Wanamaker Trophy: Chris Stroud (US) and Hideki Matsuyama (Japan). A few hours later with just two holes to go, Spieth’s buddy was in the driving seat at 8-under par, one ahead of Matsuyama and Kisner. A classy tee-shot to the par-three 17th from where he rolled in the putt for birdie set up the victory for Thomas. There looked to be no holding him back now.
Yet the toughest hole on the course was to follow together with a few moments of anguish. After his drive at the 18th had found the fairway bunker, he played his second shot into the rough short of the green. He took his time walking up onto the green to judge the distance and steady his nerves, no doubt. Wiping the pearls of sweat from his brow, he chipped onto the putting surface where he made a good, safe putt. No heroics, just safely lagging the ball beside the cup to leave himself a bogey tap-in for 68 for victory with a tournament tally of 8-under.
Thomas seized the Wanamaker Trophy two strokes ahead of compatriot Patrick Reed, South Africa’s Louis Oosthuizen and Italy’s Francesco Molinari. Rickie Fowler (US) was 5th on 5-under par.
Many congratulations to you Justin Thomas on your superb first Major victory!
Wendy Hoad
PICTURED: 2017 US PGA Champion Justin Thomas with the Wanamaker Trophy.