Justin Thomas - excellent player but golf manners? Nah! Justin Thomas won again last week around Florida’s PGA National course, with the dreaded corridor known as The Bear trap to win the Honda Classic. One of the tours toughest finishes and 12 holes with water hazards everywhere, Thomas won in a play off from Luke List. A fabulous wedge shot on the last, set him up for his 7th win in 31 starts, almost Tigeresque quality. Proving what a quality player he has become, unfortunately he did mistakenly use an expletive (and winning can get you caught up in the moment) just after holing his winning putt. Earlier in the week though he hit a spectator clean on the head from the tee - ouch that definitely hurt and of course the obligatory token signed glove was parted with. Hardly an apology is it? For one of the finest young talents on Tour, what sort of example did Justin Thomas set when NO shout of FORE was given? His PGA Professional Dad must be so proud, but he can still teach his son something to enhance his game - Some better etiquette. This apart there is a lot to learn from Thomas. a slight man with massive club speed and right up there pound for pound long hitter. His wedge game has massively improved in two seasons; decision making, is another area we can learn from such as his decision to leave out a favourite long iron for a 5 wood for the week, knowing how firm the greens were going to play and that added height into par 5s, might and eventually did make a difference. He should contend in 6 weeks’ time at Augusta, the occasion could be too much or knowing how the Masters Committee react with the unusual, they might just penalise him a couple of strokes or DQ him if he fails to maintain their high standards of Southern manners on the course. Others in the Honda field fared well as Tommy Fleetwood had a good look at winning his first US Tour title holding the lead at times on Sunday, as did the Swede, Alex Noren. Notably, a certain Mr Tiger Woods played all four rounds and hit plenty of encouraging shots, even with his metal woods. Woods’s short game was clearly close to some of his best. The demons around the green of duffel pitches and flubbed lob shots look a thing of the past.
Can he contend or win again? He believes he can so perhaps those who doubt him may need to review their thoughts. |