Justin Thomas Misses FedEx Cup Playoffs By A Single Shot After Last Hole Drama
This was a pitch shot that looked certain to drop - but it stayed out. Is his season over?
Justin Thomas is staring at a lengthy period watching on from the sidelines after his quest to make the FedEx Cup Playoffs came up agonisingly short at the Wyndham Championship in Greensboro, North Carolina.
The 15-time PGA Tour winner and former world number one finished in a tie for 12th, which left him at 71st in the season-long FedEx points list, with only the top 70 advancing to next week’s St. Jude Championship in Memphis.
Thomas, a two-time Major champion having lifted the Wanamaker Trophy for a second time in 2022, came within inches of a sensation pitch-in on the final hole, his ball bouncing off the pin and coming to rest within tap-in range.
This came after a loose drive on 18, which forced the 30-year-old to play a spectacular hook with an 8-iron around a tree just yards in front of him.
PAIN. 😦Justin Thomas with a brutal near-birdie 3 on 18 as he settles for par and a final-round 68.📺: CBS pic.twitter.com/b32vXsdhu7August 6, 2023
No one can accuse the American of not giving it his all, his fine recovery effort somehow making it to just off the front of the green.
He followed that approach shot, one that almost left him on his backside in the pine straw, with a near-perfect pitch.
However, when it failed to drop, Thomas did end up on the floor – and his season could well have come to a premature end.
Get the top Black Friday deals right in your inbox: Sign up now!
The hottest deals and product recommendations during deals season straight to your inbox plus all the best game-changing tips, in-depth features and the latest news and insights around the game.
Thomas starred in the Netflix Full Swing docuseries, where in spoke in length about his passion for winning and how it hurts to struggle.
Can use adversity as an opportunity to shy away from a challenge, or take it head on. Was a tough season for me, but I actually had fun battling it out and playing golf this week. It’s why we play. Beyond gutted to miss the playoffs, but I’m proud of how hard I fought #onwardAugust 7, 2023
This one will definitely hurt, although Thomas was quick to share his thoughts on Twitter, where he said he was “proud of how hard I fought”.
The 2017 FedEx Cup champion started the final day of the Wyndham Championship in 72nd spot, and briefly flirted with safety at 70th, but after parring the 18th in spectacular style he found himself on the wrong side of that number.
Thomas’ fate wasn’t sealed until some time later, but in finishing eight points adrift of 70th Ben Griffin, he will now miss the Playoffs for the first time since his rookie season in 2014.
The 2017 and 2022 PGA Championship winner has been out of sorts this season, and he came into the Wyndham Championship having missed five cuts from his last seven starts.
He also carded two rounds over 80 in this year’s Majors, although he’s frequently insisted that his game has not been too far off.
However, despite proving a valuable member of the US Ryder Cup team in the past (his record in two appearances is 6-2-1), qualification for the biennial showdown in Rome at the end of September is now out of his hands.
Should Thomas not make captain Zach Johnson’s team, it may be quite a while before we see one of the PGA Tour's most entertaining players in action again.
Michael has been with Golf Monthly since 2008. As a multimedia journalist, he has also worked for The Football Association, where he created content to support the men's European Championships, The FA Cup, London 2012, and FA Women's Super League. As content editor at Foremost Golf, Michael worked closely with golf's biggest equipment manufacturers, and has developed an in-depth knowledge of this side of the industry. He's now a regular contributor, covering instruction, equipment and feature content. Michael has interviewed many of the game's biggest stars, including six world number ones, and has attended and reported on many Major Championships and Ryder Cups. He's a member of Formby Golf Club.
-
LPGA Tour Announces 2025 Schedule
The 2025 LPGA Tour season will have two new events including a visit to Mexico, while the biennial International Crown returns
By Mike Hall Published
-
How Adam Scott Helped Shape The Design Of The Two New L.A.B. Golf Putters
Today marks the exciting release of the L.A.B. Golf OZ.1 collection. Let’s take a closer look at what golfers can expect…
By Joe Ferguson Published
-
Odyssey Golf And YouTube Stars Good Good Collaborate With New Putters
The YouTube group signed a deal with Callaway at the start of 2023 and will release their second limited-edition product together
By Ben Fleming Published
-
Seven-Handicap YouTube Star Defies Odds To Complete Hole-In-One Challenge
YouTube star and CEO of gaming organisation 100 Thieves 'Nadeshot' achieved the feat in little over an hour having rented out a course to put his skills to the test
By Ben Fleming Published
-
Who Are The No Laying Up Members?
Get to know the characters behind the hugely successful golf content creation company
By Ben Fleming Published
-
ESPN Agrees Deal To Broadcast First Season Of TGL
The new goal league, launched by Rory McIlroy and Tiger Woods, is due to start in January 2024
By Ben Fleming Published
-
Robert MacIntyre Hints At PGA Tour Switch After Ryder Cup Success
The Scotsman admitted that he may have to make the move to America if he's to achieve all of his goals within the game
By Ben Fleming Published
-
Honorary European Ryan Fox 'Chuffed' By Europe's Ryder Cup Victory
The New Zealander admitted he was no neutral observer and was pulling for Luke Donald's side last week at Marco Simone
By Ben Fleming Published
-
Max Homa Commits To Debut Appearance In DP World Tour Event
The American will tee it up in the iconic tournament for the first time and will be joined in the field by compatriot Justin Thomas
By Ben Fleming Published
-
European Ryder Cup Heroes To Make Immediate Return At Dunhill Links Championship
Three of Luke Donald's side are set to return from Italy and tee it up in Scotland later this week
By James Nursey Published