While it may not be too long before the 2024 ZOZO Championship is forgotten about by the majority of golf fans, it did appear to be a significant tournament for Justin Thomas as the two-time major champion finished second in Japan.
Justin Thomas was one of the star names in the field for the ZOZO Championship, and he managed to delight the crowds with his performance as he finished in a tie for second at Narashino.
On another day, the 31-year-old could have easily got across the line for his first win on the PGA Tour since 2022. He made just one bogey all week, while many felt that only a cold putter denied Thomas on Sunday. But overall, the signs were extremely positive.
Justin Thomas reveals ‘weird’ swing thought he currently has with the driver
Thomas drove the ball extremely well, as he picked up more than two and a half shots on the field from tee to green. So it would appear that whatever he is working on on the range is working well.
Speaking to Titleist about his driving, Thomas shared the current swing thoughts he has when he has the driver in his hands.
“It kinds of depends on what I’m going through swing-wise. For me, when I get off, I get a little too long, so keeping my length a little shorter, kind of compacted. There’s a couple of different ways I try to think of that, whether it’s not letting my arms get past my body, or getting my right hand as far from my body as possible, or keeping my arms straight,” he said.
“I kind of have a small bag of thoughts that generate the same thing. And lately it’s been trying to keep feeling like my right hand is just far from my body and my head. It’s weird, but it works for me.”
The worrying driving stats from his 2024 season
It was important that Thomas drove the ball so well at the ZOZO Championship. He is down in 72nd on the PGA Tour for strokes gained off the tee this year. Meanwhile, he is 148th for driving accuracy.
Clearly, something needed to change if Thomas is going to get back to his best and challenge for the biggest prizes in the sport again.
Driving is not the only area where Thomas probably feels he needs to improve, but if he can replicate his performance last week and find something with the putter, there is no question at all that he is going to be extremely difficult to beat.
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