Justin Thomas admits he's making Rocket Mortgage Classic debut due to ranking struggles
- Planet Sport writer
- 29 June 2023
After several lackluster performances, the former World No 1 is chasing FedEx Cup ranking points to avoid an early end to his season.
Former world number one Justin Thomas admits his Rocket Mortgage Classic debut has taken on greater meaning following his recent struggles.
Thomas missed the cut in the Memorial Tournament and also in the US Open, where a second round of 81 at Los Angeles Country Club left him feeling "humiliated and embarrassed".
The two-time US PGA winner bounced back with a tie for ninth in last week's Travelers Championship, a result which lifted him to 66th in the FedEx Cup standings.
Only the top 70 after the Wyndham Championship in the first week in August will advance to the play-offs, a reduction from the 125 players who previously qualified.
The top 50 after the FedEx St Jude Championship will then contest the BMW Championship before the top 30 make the season-ending Tour Championship in Atlanta.
"I wish it was under different circumstances, but I'm very glad to be here, you know what I'm saying?" Thomas told a pre-tournament press conference at Detroit Golf Club.
"It's one of those things where you get some years you need to add some events, some years you need to take some off based on injury, where you are in the points, family obligations, whatever it is.
"I generally don't play four in a row, three is kind of my sweet spot, this being my third in a row.
"About a month ago I reached out to my team and I was like I think this could be a good add, and obviously not terribly far from Hartford, so let's make it happen.
"And then the next month or so kind of took place and it worked out that I needed to play here more than I thought. Everything happens for a reason, I guess."
Thomas felt like he was playing well before his chastening performance in the US Open, a second missed cut in the majors this season following an early exit from the Masters in April.
But after focusing too much on technique in Los Angeles, the 30-year-old's decision to concentrate more on simply playing golf paid immediate dividends in Connecticut.
"Last week I wasn't feeling great about my golf swing in the beginning of the week and I kind of said screw it, I'm just going to go out there and hit shots and play golf," Thomas said.
"I'll use the practice rounds, the pro-am, the time on the range to really kind of hammer down the things in my swing mechanically I want to work on, but then when I'm out there, I just need to go play.
"All credit to my wife. Wednesday night last week (she) sent me a text that resonated to me and it really hit home better than anything I've heard.
"(It) just basically said remember why you love this game and why you play this game and why you're out there, just enjoy that and kind of take it in. It hit home for me."
