Justin Thomas says he has left his disappointing memories from last year behind as he got off to a strong start at the Open Championship at Royal Troon.
The two-time Major winner carded a three-under 68 in the first round to claim the early clubhouse lead.
Thomas shot seven birdies, two bogeys and a double on a wet and tricky day at the South Ayrshire links.
It was a significantly better start than his first round at last year’s Championship, when he shot one of the worst rounds of the day – and his career – with a 11-over 82 to kick off the 2023 Open at Royal Liverpool.
Asked about his progression from last year, Thomas replied: "Well, I would guess about 15 strokes better, 13 strokes? What did I shoot? Yeah, I couldn't even tell you what I was thinking or how it was then.
“I'm just worried about how I am now, and I'm very pleased with my game and know things are continuing to work in the right direction. I've just got to keep trying to play well.”
He said he is doing “everything better” compared to this time last year, which ended up being – as he called it – his “least successful season on the PGA Tour”.
With those memories well and truly left in the past, Thomas said he was happy with how he started the final Major of the year.
“I played really solid, got it around. I felt like I had great control of the ball. I hit a lot of fairways, which is a key I would say to any Major, but definitely in an Open, being able to control the ball coming into the greens. A little bit of a hiccup in the beginning of the back nine but stayed patient and kept plugging.”
The 31-year-old has had a mixed bag in his 2024 season so far, claiming five top-10 finishes, including the PGA Championship, while also missing the cut at several big events like the Masters and the US Open.
He is still chasing his first victory since the 2022 PGA Championship, and hasn't quite been able to put together four consistent rounds at a tournament since.
Thomas wasn’t able to back up a similarly strong start at last week’s Scottish Open, where he carded a 62 in the first round to claim his first lead on the PGA Tour since 2022, only to shoot over par in the following three rounds to finish in a tie for 62nd.
He said he was still hitting good shots last week but got “literally nothing out of my rounds”.
But he is confident that he is heading in the right direction and believes the results will soon follow.
“I feel like everything has been turning the right way, and I've been working on the right things. Just like I said, I haven't really had much to show for it. That's just how this game works sometimes. But I know that I'm close the way it is, and I'm just going to keep playing and not play for results, just play for my game, and it'll take care of itself.”
-
Valero Texas Open Prize Money Payout 2025Akshay Bhatia defends his title as players compete in the final PGA Tour event before The Masters
-
I've Played Both World-Class Links And Delightful Hidden Secrets Along Ireland's Wild Atlantic Way...Kevin Markham highlights the golfing adventure that is west Ireland's spectacular Wild Atlantic Way
-
Valero Texas Open Prize Money Payout 2025Akshay Bhatia defends his title as players compete in the final PGA Tour event before The Masters
-
'Tiger Did Some Stuff In 2000...But Scottie’s Year Was The Best We’ve Ever Seen' - Bubba Watson Sparks Debate With Controversial Scheffler ClaimBubba Watson has sparked a huge golfing debate after claiming Scottie Scheffler's 2024 season was better than Tiger Woods' all-conquering 2000 campaign
-
PGA Tour Pro Playing In 12th Event In A Row In One Final Bid To Make Dream Masters DebutBen Griffin has put in a three-month run of consecutive PGA Tour starts in a bid to make his Masters debut, which now all comes down to his result at the Houston Open
-
Houston Open Tee Times 2025: Round ThreeScottie Scheffler is hoping to consolidate his position at the top of the leaderboard on Moving Day
-
‘You Don’t Want 10-Year-Old Kids Punting Their Putters Across The Green Every Time They Miss A Putt’ - Rory McIlroy Says Tour Pros Have ‘Responsibility’ To Set Good Example After Recent Viral Clips Showcasing Players’ FrustrationsSpeaking at the Texas Children's Houston Open, McIlroy explained how displaying emotion on the course shows the pros 'are human', but there's also a 'responsibility to set an example'
-
'The Loss Of A Few Trees Is Definitely Noticeable' - Rory McIlroy On What He Learned From Augusta National Practice Round Ahead Of 2025 MastersThe four-time Major winner made a trip to Augusta National earlier this week in preparation for The Masters
-
‘It’s The Craziest Thing In The History Of Sport What Tiger Woods Did’ - Brandel Chamblee Questions 15-Time Major Winner’s Swing Changes During Peak Of CareerSpeaking on the Dan on Golf podcast, Chamblee claimed that Woods' move to coach, Hank Haney, in 2004 was one of the 'craziest things in the history of sport'
-
‘Give The Lad A Break. He’s A Very Good Caddie. Harry, Don’t Read The S****’ - Billy Foster On Critics Of Rory McIlroy’s CaddieThe experienced looper has spoken out and defended McIlroy's caddie, Harry Diamond, with Foster claiming the 'criticism is not fair at all'
