How Thomas outlasted his rivals at the PGA Championship

Justin Thomas is your 2017 PGA champion, becoming the third successive American to win a major championship this season.

However, the Wanamaker Trophy was anyone’s for the taking for much of the day with a five-way tie at the top near the halfway stage.

But 24-year-old Thomas emerged from the pack to power his way towards his first major title with a 3-under 68 for an overall 8-under 276.

James Broadhurst rounds up the best moments from the final round…

So what happened?

Thomas, who was playing in the penultimate pairing alongside the much-fancied Hideki Matsuyama, didn’t get off to the best of starts.

The American picked up two bogies in his first three holes, but birdies on the 7th, 9th, 10th, 13th and 17th holes proved enough to repel the challenge from a number of big names.

The turning point for Thomas arrived on the 10th when his birdie putt trickled towards the hole, stopped, and then dropped in the hole.

Wait for it … wait for it … GOT IT. #PGAChamp pic.twitter.com/FUR5HciqxM

— PGA of America (@PGA) August 13, 2017

He then moved clear at the top with a sensational chip-in on the par-3 13th.

Francesco Molinari, Patrick Reed and Rickie Fowler all put the pressure on with 4-under rounds of 67 but their challenges came too late in the day.

Meanwhile, overnight leader Kevin Kisner couldn’t sustain his good form on the final day as he slipped to a 3-over 74, while Matsuyama finished with a 1-over 72, three strokes behind Thomas.

Final leaderboard

-8 J Thomas (USA)
-6 F Molinari (ITA), P Reed (USA), L Oosthuizen (SA)
-5 R Fowler (USA), H Matsuyama (JPN)

Highlights

What a final round. ?

Relive Sunday's drama with the best shot from every hole! #PGAChamp pic.twitter.com/zv69q2FhO4

— PGA of America (@PGA) August 14, 2017

Feel-good moment of the day

European Tour rookie Jordan Smith couldn’t have wished for a better debut at a major championship.

A final round of 68, which included four birdies, propelled him into the top 10 on 1-under.

The 24-year-old Englishman certainly wasn’t overwhelmed or intimidated by the occasion at Quail Hollow. Expect him to be stronger for the experience.

Spare a thought for…

Chris Stroud.

The 35-year-old was the last player to qualify for this year’s tournament after he won the Barracuda Championship in a play-off with Greg Owen and Richy Werenski last weekend. It was his 290th PGA Tour start and he was playing on a conditional status.

Nobody expected the Texan to trouble the top of the leaderboard but after rounds of 68, 68 and 71, he found himself in the final pairing and in a five-way tie for the lead halfway through his final round.

His final day 76 shouldn’t detract from what was an outstanding week.

Best shots of the day

The par-3 17th played as one of the toughest holes over the course of the tournament but Justin Thomas made it look pedestrian with one swish of his iron.

"Well played, Justin Thomas."#PGAChamp pic.twitter.com/0nryfpgbsN

— PGA of America (@PGA) August 13, 2017

He then rounded it off with a clinical birdie putt.

Two. Shot. Lead.

JT heads to 18 at 9-under. Catch the dramatic finish: https://t.co/mT5mpu9yEU #PGAChamp pic.twitter.com/I2xFwOI1ts

— PGA of America (@PGA) August 13, 2017

Louis Oosthuizen was doing all he could to chase down his second major title.

.@Louis57TM gets to 6-under and two shots off the lead with the chip-in on 15! #PGAChamp pic.twitter.com/i44pXviXKy

— PGA of America (@PGA) August 13, 2017

A big moment from Thomas on the 13th hole.

Two-shot lead!

JT chips in at 12 to move to 8-under #PGAChamp Watch LIVE: https://t.co/mT5mpu9yEU pic.twitter.com/X9p4jECtG5

— PGA of America (@PGA) August 13, 2017

Behave yourself, Jon Rahm!

"Amazing execution." ?@JonRahmpga shows off his skill set on 18. #PGAChamp pic.twitter.com/R8bTXygIHZ

— PGA of America (@PGA) August 13, 2017

After a disastrous double bogey end to his third round, Jason Day began his final round in the best possible way.

What a start for @JDayGolf!

He holes out from the bunker on 1 for birdie. Watch #PGAChamp on TNT & https://t.co/qShAOCgvKl. pic.twitter.com/FuMQIrprfh

— PGA of America (@PGA) August 13, 2017

Worst shot of the day

Oh dear, Jordan Spieth. It was Augusta National in 2016 all over again for the Open champion. He found the water twice on the 7th and eventually holed out for a double bogey.

Much like his troubles on Saturday, Jordan Spieth finds the water again on the par-5 7th.

Watch live: https://t.co/mT5mpu9yEU #PGAChamp pic.twitter.com/Ek8KRtb1AN

— PGA of America (@PGA) August 13, 2017

Stats of the day

Strong finishes: 67 for DJ, his best career final round in a major. Rory's 68 is his 10th straight final round under par in majors.

— Justin Ray (@JustinRayGC) August 13, 2017

In the last 16 @PGATOUR events, on only 2 occasions has the 54-hole leader/co-leader won. @JordanSpieth @TravelersChamp and @TheOpen.

— PGA TOUR Media (@PGATOURmedia) August 13, 2017

Consecutive majors won by 2 different players 24/younger (last 2 instances)

1923: B. Jones/Sarazen
2017: @JordanSpieth/@JustinThomas34

— Justin Ray (@JustinRayGC) August 13, 2017

Also, did you know that was Patrick Reed’s first top 10 at a major? Astonishing.