Justin Thomas will be desperate to play in The Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black later this year in September.
After an extremely underwhelming Masters tournament, Justin Thomas will be hoping to really pick up some form now heading into the real meat of the 2025 season.
Thomas has really struggled over the past couple of years to replicate the form he showed during the early part of his career, and his participation at the Ryder Cup in September is far from guaranteed.
The 31-year-old hasn’t won since his PGA Championship triumph in 2022.
On his day, Thomas can compete with the very best, but he hasn’t shown what he’s really capable of for quite some time now.
Perhaps the chance to represent the USA in the Ryder Cup at Bethpage later this year will inspire JT to rediscover his best stuff.
Justin Thomas has said that playing in The Ryder Cup is far more nerve-racking than The Masters, and that in itself shows just how much it means to the American.
Justin Thomas comments about 2025 Ryder Cup straight after fourth round at The Masters
Thomas is quite clearly desperate to make the team at Bethpage later this year.
After his disappointing Masters tournament, he was asked about his aspirations to feature for Team USA up in New York State in five month’s time.
“Extremely. I’ve not really enjoyed the last two team events having to rely on a pick. It doesn’t put — it’s a tough spot to be in, but it’s also self-inflicted.
“If I don’t want to be there, just play better and qualify automatically. It’s a huge goal of mine, but I feel like if I keep doing what I’m doing and get in contention to win some tournaments and start winning some tournaments and majors, then it’ll all take care of itself.“
He was then asked whether he is familiar with Bethpage Black:
“I have. We had a playoff event there in ’16, ’17, something like that, so I played there and have before. It’s a brutal golf course.
“The northeast has some very, very passionate sports fans. The Ryder Cup always brings it out no matter where it is in the world.
“Yeah, I’m obviously very, very hopefully or really want to make that team and get to experience those fans in hopefully a home course advantage of my own.“
Thomas then responded when asked how much experience matters during Ryder Cup week:
“I think experience is important in any home or away. It’s definitely important away. I think it’s just totally different. Even if you’ve had a chance to win tournaments and even major championships, it’s just — at least to me it’s a totally different feel at a Ryder Cup.
“The nerves I’ve felt at that event are unlike anything I’ve ever experienced in my career, but it’s good and fun nerves. But there’s two great captains on both sides, and that’s why they are who they are. They’ll be able to make those decisions themselves.”
Justin Thomas needs to go back to basics
Sometimes, elite level golfers forget what actually made them great.
Thomas was an exceptional chipper and iron players when he came though the ranks nine years ago.
He’s 51st in the greens in regulation standings and 124th in scrambling this season (PGA Tour).
If I were Justin Thomas, I would focus on those two things in the coming weeks. If he can get his iron play dialled in and his chipping sharpened up, he will contend for big titles again this season.
And then there will be every chance that Justin Thomas will qualify for the Ryder Cup at Bethpage.
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