Leave Justin Thomas alone!
Justin Thomas received hostile comments on a social media post of himself practising before the Ryder Cup, and NCG’s Matt Chivers believes the witch hunt needs to stop immediately
Justin Thomas will play at the Ryder Cup whether anyone likes it or not.
The two-time PGA Champion couldn’t have imagined the abuse and vitriol he’d receive when posting an innocent swing video on his Instagram page on Wednesday.
The footage showed Thomas using training aids at Troubador Golf and Field Club in Tennessee, searching for much-needed form before heading to Rome.
“Shouldn’t be on the Ryder Cup team and you know it – that’s the sad part. Weak game, admits to it and still takes the undeserved spot from a deserving player. Lost respect,” one fan wrote, and more piled in.
“You should’ve given up your spot to Keegan”
“Ryder Cup fraud”
“Resorting to YouTube swing fixes just weeks before the Ryder Cup”
“Getting all tuned up to s*** the bed in Rome”
Unless I misunderstood the process, it was US captain Zach Johnson who chose six wildcard picks.
I don’t recall Thomas sitting at the table on August 29 and choosing himself, Jordan Spieth, Rickie Fowler, Collin Morikawa, Brooks Koepka and Sam Burns.
Many people have attributed Johnson’s decision to pick Thomas to a ‘boys club’ concept and neglecting to choose Keegan Bradley, who vice-captain Fred Couples has since said ‘isn’t tight’ with the rest of the team.
It is easy to jab the 30-year-old for his poor form too. Compared with his usual major-winning, trophy-lifting antics, three top-10s in 20 PGA Tour stars is very sub-standard.
Rumours have also circulated about splitting with his coach John Graham and his father Mike supposedly taking a back seat and leaving his son to make swing tweaks of his own.
“You’re kidding. That’s just stupid,” Mike told Golf Digest. “That’s what some people in the media do. It’s ridiculous. I just left Justin. We worked all morning.
“But, listen, if he did fire me, and it was for the better, then what’s the problem? I guess they have to have something to talk about.”
Can Justin Thomas justify his Ryder Cup pick?
Thomas has three weeks to rediscover the spark that’s made him who he is: a 15-time tour winner and a previous World No.1. Let’s leave him to it.
It’s not his fault he was chosen. Johnson valued experience and his 6-2-1 Ryder Cup record over current form, which is why the likes of Bradley and Lucas Glover were left at home.
Thomas didn’t deserve a Ryder Cup pick. I formed this opinion weeks before Johnson revealed his choices because his game has nosedived and he could be a burden to Team USA.
But online hate and fabricated uncertainty surrounding his backroom team isn’t welcome.
As a home fan, I don’t want Thomas to set the 2023 Ryder Cup alight and break European hearts again, as he helped America do at Whistling Straits in 2021.
But I’m at the point where I’d love to see him prove his doubters and abusers wrong.
Leave Justin Thomas alone and let’s see what game he brings to Italy.
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Read now: Zach Johnson opts for Justin Thomas Ryder Cup pick
Read now: Justin Thomas player profile
FAQ
When is the Ryder Cup?
The 2023 Ryder Cup is a three-day event beginning on Friday, September 29 to Sunday, October 1.
What is Justin Thomas’ Ryder Cup record?
Thomas has played in two Ryder Cups. He has won six matches, lost two matches and halved one.
How old is Justin Thomas?
Justin Thomas is 30 years old. He was born in Louisville, Kentucky on April 29, 1993.
How many majors has Justin Thomas won?
Thomas has won two major titles. His first was at the PGA Championship in 2017 and his second was at the same tournament in 2022.
Is Justin Thomas married?
Yes. Thomas married his wife Jillian Wisniewski in November 2022.
Matt Chivers
Now on the wrong side of 25, Matt has been playing golf since the age of 13 and was largely inspired to take up the game by countless family members who played golf during his childhood.
Matt is a member at Royal Cinque Ports in Deal playing off a 5 handicap, just a pitching wedge away from his hometown of Dover where he went to school and grew up. He has previously been a member at Etchinghill and Walmer and Kingsdown in Kent.
Having studied history at the University of Liverpool, Matt went on to pass his NCTJ Exams in Manchester a year later to fulfil his lifelong ambition of becoming a journalist. He picked up work experience along the way at places such as the Racing Post, the Independent, Sportsbeat and the Lancashire Evening Post.
Matt joined NCG in February 2023 and is the website’s main source of tour news, features and opinion. He has reported live from events such as The Open, the Ryder Cup and The Players Championship, having also interviewed and spent time with some of the biggest names in the sport.
Consuming tour golf on what is a 24/7 basis, you can come to Matt for informed views on the game and the latest updates on the PGA Tour, DP World Tour, LPGA Tour, Ladies European Tour and LIV Golf.
What’s in Matt’s bag: Cobra LTDx LS driver, Cobra LTDx 3-wood, TaylorMade P7MC irons, Ping Glide 4.0 wedges, Odyssey putter.
