Connect with us

19th Hole

The ‘harsh’ words Tiger gave Justin Thomas that made him a better player

Published

2 years ago

on

Honesty may always be the best policy, even when a very progressive youngster asks a true great for advice.

Readying himself to play alongside his father at this week’s PNC Championship, Justin Thomas, the current world number 6, recalled a series of past events that may have given him a further boost to his burgeoning career circa 2017/18.

Following a season that saw JT go back-to-back in Hawaii, land his first major (PGA) and follow up with wins at the Dell Tech and CJ Cup, the then 24-year-old found himself paired with his lifetime hero at the Hero Challenge. However, whilst that was the first time they played together, it was after the 2018 Genesis that he remembers asking the question.

Speaking at this week’s PNC Championship, JT recalled how the conversation went down: “I’m like, ‘Hey, we played a lot at home, but now we played in a tournament,’” Thomas remembers. “What do you see in what do I need to get better at?”

“Immediately he’s like, ‘You don’t have near enough shots. Like, you can work it but you don’t have enough shots to be, you know, as dominant as I was.’ That kind of thing. He’s like, ‘You have some that you can hit, but you don’t have all of them and you don’t have enough.’”

Honesty, but perhaps what JT needed to hear, if not particularly what he wanted. Indeed, despite not changing his entire game, he went on to win his very next tournament at the Honda and significantly his first at Firestone, at a course and event Tiger has won a record eight times.

“It’s a 9-iron, 160 yards to a middle pin, like, I’m going to hit a 9-iron. I’m not going to feel like I need to hook it or hit a big slice,” he said. “But at the end of the day, there’s definitely a lot of shots throughout the year that I’m able to use that to help me. Or there’s pins that I can maybe get close to that the person I’m playing with can’t. So it’s helped.”

Tiger isn’t one of those that sees one shot and wants to repeat it. I guess golf viewers have seen much of that in evidence over the years and in the 15 major wins and there certainly won’t be many better-qualified advisors in the game.

Often called JT’s big brother, Woods now has his own son, Charlie, playing alongside him this week and looking up to the very man that his father advised in 2018.

With the two families extremely close, Charlie will not lack in candidates for his own mentor, but none with better qualifications than his own ‘big brother’.

Certainly not finished at the top yet, Thomas has learnt from that fateful day and is prepared to pass on his own advice.

“I see it in a lot of rookies or even players that have been out here that are kind of like, on that edge,” Thomas said. “It’s very, very similar to a lot of stuff that I see, and I can see why he saw it in me now.”

More from the 19th Hole

Your Reaction?
  • 114
  • LEGIT13
  • WOW3
  • LOL3
  • IDHT3
  • FLOP3
  • OB2
  • SHANK9

Related Topics:

19th Hole

LET pro gives detailed financial breakdown of first week on tour…and the net result may shock you

Published

5 hours ago

on

Apr 26, 2024

By

On Friday morning, Ladies European Tour player, Hannah Gregg, took to social media to share her weekly expenses playing on the LET.

“Expenses of my first week on Ladies European Tour: Flights: $2600 Work Visa: $350 

  • Food: $377 
  • Caddie: $0 because I have an amazing Fiancé 
  • Hotel: $0 because  @GregChalmersPGA sorted me host housing for the week!  
  • Rental Car: +0 because the Tour Tee guys GAVE me their car  
  • Gas: $165 
  • Entry Fee: $130 
  • Lounge Pass for caddie: $50 
  • Gym: $0 
  • Yardage book: $0 
  • Total expenses: $3672 

Made cut, finished 54th, total earned: $1244 Factor in 35% tax on earnings. To break even, needed to finish 24th. To make money, 21st. Guess we have our goals laid out for next event!”

When factoring in Gregg’s free housing, free caddie and free rental car, it’s evident that most LET players would have to finish well inside of the top-20 to make any money.

With ridiculous amounts of money being thrown around in professional golf these days, it’s important to remember the other side of the coin as well. There are countless professionals out there who struggle to get by on their golf salary.

More from the 19th Hole

Your Reaction?
  • 2
  • LEGIT2
  • WOW4
  • LOL1
  • IDHT1
  • FLOP0
  • OB0
  • SHANK0

Continue Reading

19th Hole

54-hole golf tour deemed eligible for OWGR points…but it’s not LIV

Published

1 day ago

on

Apr 25, 2024

By

After a seventeen-month application process, a 54-hole golf tour was deemed eligible for OWGR points.

Unfortunately, for LIV Golf and their fans, it was the Clutch Pro Tour.

After the decision, which is effective immediately, OWGR chairman Peter Dawson issued a statement.

“This is a significant milestone for golf, and OWGR is deeply encouraged by the achievement and the continued efforts in developing the sport of golf in the United Kingdom.”

“We look forward to watching the progress of the Clutch Pro Tour as it continues to play a key role in the development of players from the region,” Dawson added.

The Clutch Pro Tour operates in the United Kingdom and features a 36-hole cut. It also has an open qualifying school.

More from the 19th Hole

Your Reaction?
  • 4
  • LEGIT1
  • WOW1
  • LOL2
  • IDHT0
  • FLOP0
  • OB2
  • SHANK5

Continue Reading

19th Hole

Charlie Woods attempting to qualify for spot at 2024 U.S. Open

Published

1 day ago

on

Apr 25, 2024

By

As first reported by Bob Harig of Sports Illustrated, Charlie Woods will be attempting to qualify for this year’s U.S. Open at Pinehurst No. 2.

The first stage of qualifying for this year’s tournament will be an 18-hole local event on Thursday, April 25th, in Port St. Lucie, Florida.

There will be 84 players in the field, five of which will reach the 36-hole qualifier that will take place in June.

Earlier this season, Charlie attempted to qualify for the Cognizant Classic, and struggled, shooting an 86.

If the younger Woods is able to qualify, he will tee it up in the same field as his father in a few months at one of the more historic U.S. Open venues.

More from the 19th Hole

Your Reaction?
  • 3
  • LEGIT0
  • WOW0
  • LOL3
  • IDHT0
  • FLOP2
  • OB1
  • SHANK6

Continue Reading

WITB

Whats in the Bag6 hours ago

Steve Stricker WITB 2024 (April)

Steve Stricker WITB accurate as of the Zurich Classic. More photos from the event here. Driver: Titleist TSR3 (9 degrees, C4...
Whats in the Bag8 hours ago

Alex Fitzpatrick WITB 2024 (April)

Alex Fitzpatrick what’s in the bag accurate as of the Zurich Classic.  Driver: Ping G430 LST (10.5 degrees) Shaft: Fujikura...
Whats in the Bag1 day ago

Alejandro Tosti WITB 2024 (April)

Alejandro Tosti what’s in the bag accurate as of the Zurich Classic. Driver: Srixon ZX5 Mk II LS (9.5 degrees...
Whats in the Bag1 day ago

Drew Brees WITB 2024 (April)

  View this post on Instagram   A post shared by GolfWRX (@golfwrx) Driver: TaylorMade Stealth 2 Plus (10.5 degrees)...

Facebook

Trending