Justin Thomas admits what he’s found ‘tough’ and had a ‘hard time’ doing in preparation for the Ryder Cup

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Justin Thomas is one of the many United States Ryder Cup players in the field at the Procore Championship this week.

Only Bryson DeChambeau and Xander Schauffele are not preparing for Bethpage Black by competing at the Silverado Resort.

Thomas’ preparation is particularly important because he will be integral to the United States’ chances of beating the European team.

JT has more Ryder Cup experience than most, and with four rookies alongside him, he will need to lead by example on and off the golf course.

As a result, US fans might be concerned to read that Thomas has actually found something difficult in the build-up to the event.

• READ MORE: Keegan Bradley shares what his senior US players are already telling him ahead of the Ryder Cup starting

Justin Thomas wanted more time off before the Ryder Cup

Thomas would normally be enjoying an extended break from professional golf after a busy end to the PGA Tour season with the FedEx Cup Playoffs.

However, with the Ryder Cup only two weeks away, Thomas and the other United States players are determined to find form by playing the Procore Championship.

While JT’s passion for the Ryder Cup cannot be questioned, it may be worrying for American fans that he wanted more time off.

The 32-year-old was worn out after the Tour Championship and struggled to get ready for the Procore Championship.

“I think it’ll be helpful,” he said. “It’s tough because I personally had a pretty hard time starting to practise again. I would have been perfectly fine leaving my clubs where they were for a couple more days.

“We’re not used to the mental clock this time of year. We’re used to taking a couple more weeks off, but that could have potentially hurt us a little bit in some [Ryder] Cups in the past.

“Hopefully, this can be something that leads to some good play for us at Bethpage and becomes something for the future.”

Justin Thomas admits US players are focused on the Procore Championship

While many of the United States players would not be at the Procore Championship if not for the Ryder Cup, they are not entirely focused on Bethpage Black.

Thomas affirmed that they are all determined to win the tournament for individual reasons as much as they are looking ahead to the Ryder Cup.

“Although it’s obviously a nice week for us to get together, we are still playing in a golf tournament, and all of us want to play well,” he added.

Thomas also explained that Bradley has not asked them to do anything differently than they would at any other PGA Tour event.

“I don’t think Keegan is necessarily forcing anything on us,” Thomas continued. “It’s just a chance for us to get together and play some practise rounds, and keep our games a little bit fresher, as opposed to taking a handful of weeks off going into the Ryder Cup.”