Oh, how rapidly issues can change in a yr.
A yr in the past right now, when Justin Thomas made the Ryder Cup workforce, golf followers bought their pitchforks out and directed them towards Captain Zach Johnson, saying that Thomas didn’t need to make the workforce. Some noticed it as against the law, whereas others cried out for Keegan Bradley, saying he earned a spot greater than anybody, particularly over Thomas. In any case, Thomas missed the lower in three of the 4 majors in 2023 and didn’t qualify for final yr’s FedEx Cup playoffs.
Quick ahead to Tuesday, and Presidents Cup captain Jim Furyk left Thomas off the workforce, choosing Bradley, Sam Burns, Brian Harman, Russell Henley, Max Homa, and Tony Finau as a substitute. Thomas had a a lot stronger 2024 marketing campaign, a yr during which he tied for eighth at his hometown PGA Championship. He additionally posted 5 prime 10s and certified for the Tour Championship on the quantity. His yr actually didn’t meet his requirements, however it was a stark enchancment from his abysmal 2023 season.
But, Thomas will watch this Presidents Cup from residence, the primary time in eight years that he won’t make a nationwide workforce look.
“There are a bunch of fellows that I might need on this workforce. It was a tough resolution with JT. Undoubtedly a tough name to make,” Furyk stated of not selecting Thomas.
“However as a captain, you’re making an attempt to make the perfect resolution, put the perfect 12 guys collectively, match the puzzle items collectively, the pairings collectively. It’s powerful. He’s bought an awesome report in these occasions. However finally, that was the choice that was made.”
One thing about workforce match play brings out the perfect in Thomas.
In his three earlier Presidents Cup appearances, Thomas has compiled an general report of 10-3-2, profitable 11 factors for Crew USA—essentially the most of any participant throughout that span. His sturdy play instantly contributed to the Individuals’ success, as they received the Presidents Cup on all three events. Thomas has additionally carried out at his finest on the Ryder Cup, the place he at present owns a 7-4-2 general report.
He has been the center and soul of the American locker room, too, counting on his ardour to convey out the perfect in others. Many have spoken extremely of Thomas as a teammate and his selflessness in direction of different gamers. Not having him on this yr’s Presidents Cup workforce will take some getting used to.
“I really like the man to demise,” Furyk stated of Thomas.
:format(webp):no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25602387/1040616246.jpg)
“I actually do respect JT and have spent extra time round him on these groups than anybody else. It makes it a little bit bit tougher emotionally. As a captain, you attempt to make the perfect selections you’ll be able to. You keep on with them, and you progress on.”
Furyk went on to clarify how Thomas acquired his resolution with nice “class.” He then detailed their transient dialog.
“I advised JT this: I see him as a little bit little bit of a chameleon. I believe he’s a wise participant. I believe he can change. If the golf course had requested us to hit the ball straight, get it within the fairway, and get it in play, he can try this. If it asks you to bomb away and energy is extra vital, I believe he does it,” Furyk stated.
“It has a bearing and a weight on it. I believe current kind has a bearing and a weight. I believe your historical past has a weight. I believe there’s a variety of issues that go into it. After I checked out my workforce, once I appeared on the report, I do know a variety of guys are this summer season, I do know a variety of guys are the previous couple of weeks of the yr, I weigh that in. I additionally weigh in a physique of labor. I additionally weigh in on who has performed nicely this season and who has performed nicely during the last 12 months. All of that’s vital to me. You place all of it collectively, and also you’ve bought a giant puzzle piece, and also you attempt to determine the perfect solutions.”
Furyk’s ultimate Presidents Cup puzzle didn’t embody Thomas, regardless of his sturdy historical past in match play occasions and improved season.
It is usually value noting that Thomas ranked eleventh on the PGA Tour in strokes gained from tee to inexperienced. He additionally had a terrific ball-striking season, and his play across the greens ranked among the many elite gamers within the sport. However he struggled together with his placing. The 2-time main winner misplaced 0.508 strokes on the greens, rating a hundred and sixtieth amongst PGA Tour professionals this season. Maybe that attribute alone factored into Furyk’s resolution to not decide Thomas.
Regardless of the motive, it’s over and finished with now. Whether or not that call proves worthwhile, although, stays to be seen. But, proper now, leaving Thomas off the workforce seems like a mistake.
Jack Milko is a golf employees author for SB Nation’s Enjoying Via. You’ll want to take a look at @_PlayingThrough for extra golf protection. You’ll be able to comply with him on Twitter @jack_milko as nicely.
