Justin Thomas is doing his level best to get himself in position to be involved in the Ryder Cup this year and after leading at the halfway stage of the RBC Heritage, the American has made a bold admission about his goals for 2025.
Thomas is without a win on the PGA Tour since 2022 but is slowly but surely finding some form.
Thomas already has four top tens this season, including two second places at the Valspar and the American Express, and it seems only a matter of time before he gets back to winning ways.
A record round of 61 on the first day at Harbour Town saw Thomas make it 14 rounds of 62 or less for him personally and speaking about his Ryder Cup hopes after round two, Thomas admits it’s very much a focus.
Justin Thomas makes Ryder Cup admission as he leads the RBC Heritage
Speaking to the media after another solid round of 69 saw him lead Si Woo Kim by two going into the weekend, Thomas was asked about the upcoming Ryder Cup and the pressure he puts himself under.
And after struggling the last time he tried to do the same thing in 2023, Thomas admits he’s learnt his lesson a bit.
“It definitely helps. I think I did a better job with it last year. I think I said it kind of in the fall or maybe beginning of the year, but I’m kind of excited about playing a little pissed off that I didn’t get picked for the Presidents Cup team. I don’t like feel like I deserved to, but internally I always feel like I’m going to be a great addition,” Thomas admitted.
“It’s a nice thing for me to get to do, and I just thought I would really like to put myself in a position where I’m not relying on a pick anymore because it’s not fun. I can’t really complain about getting picked or not getting picked if I just qualify. So that’s the goal.”
Asked further if he thinks he produces better golf if he’s playing with a ‘chip on his shoulder’, Thomas suggested it does help him.
“Yeah, I think so. It’s a fine line,” he continued. “I can’t get overly fired up about it, but I think there’s some things internally that it’s kind of like — you know, it’s a nice I told you so kind of thing.”
Why Keegan Bradley is likely to pick Justin Thomas
As it stands, Justin Thomas is just outside the top six for automatic selection and while that can change, he will want to make sure he’s in there ASAP.
Nevertheless, Thomas has reason to be confident he will be involved anyway.
USA captain Keegan Bradley has admitted he loves Thomas in the past and back in 2023, Bradley said he’d 100% want Thomas in his locker room.
“I love these guys. One of the main reasons that I wanted to make the team is because I wanted to be around these guys and the energy they have. I see JT, the way he prepares and practices and if I was a captain, I would want him in my locker room,” Bradley admitted.
So, while Thomas is wanting that auto pick, he might well be able to rely on a captain’s pick anyway.
On current form, though, he’s very much going to be in contention to make it of his own accord.
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