Justin Thomas with his RBC Heritage trophy at Harbour Town, Hilton Head Island, on Sunday. Image courtesy PGA Tour/Getty Images.
Bt Rahul Banerji
Justin Thomas marked his 250th career start with a first PGA Tour title in three years at the RBC Heritage on Sunday, the result coming on a first-hole playoff with Andrew Novak.
Both Americans finished regulation tied on 17 under par 167 before Thomas drained a 21-foot birdie putt to seal his 16th career title, and just as Rory McIlroy’s reaction at the Masters two weeks ago, there was elation written all over the winner’s face.
“I think there’s definitely some relief in there, but when the ball went in, it was pure joy,” Thomas said at the winner’s press conference. “I just was so happy. I couldn’t stop smiling.
“I feel like I’ve been playing well enough to win for a couple years, but just because you feel that way and you are, obviously that doesn’t mean that you’re going to.
“Putted the ball beautifully today. I played really, really well. Tee to green I didn’t really hit very many what I felt like bad shots.
“It never felt like I needed to force things out there or was hoping things were happening. I just was kind of like, let’s just keep playing and I’ll make birdies when I can.
Maintaining momentum
“The patience was great, but those par putts and putts I made on the front nine were huge for my momentum and keeping them.”
Thomas (61-69-69-68) closed with a bogey-free round on Sunday, opening on either side with a string of pars and making the most of his scoring opportunities to pick up three shots.
Novak (68-65-66-68), who earned his second runner-up finish in his 99th start matched him through the day before giving way in the playoff. Sharing third place on 4 under 270 were Daniel Berger, Mackenzie Hughes, Brian Harman and Maverick McNealy.
Day three leader Si Woo Kim of Korea shot a closing 3 over 74 to take a share of eighth place on 12 under 272.
Asked about how his tournament had gone, Thomas said, “This is a golf course and a place that I love. I’ve been fortunate to play a junior tournament here, the Junior Heritage.
“I feel like it’s a golf course that fits my game or it’s a place that I really enjoy to play because I think it’s a place that rewards good golf, but it can really, really penalise you and you can make bogeys so fast if you get out of position.
Great feeling
“Really proud today of just staying patient and kind of plotting our way along, and yeah, winning on a golf course like this is a pretty cool thing to add to your resume. Not that I wouldn’t have taken one wherever I could get it, and still will, but it’s a great feeling.”
On his three-year wait for a 16th title and a disappointing 2023 season, he added, “Obviously ’23 was tough and I was trying to work my way through it and get out of that — I feel like I was putting more pressure on myself even last year to win than I was this year.
“I just feel like my game is in such a better place. I’m just really trying as hard as I can to get myself in a place mentally of just trusting and playing and just committing to what I’m doing and having the belief that it’s going to be good enough the more often I get myself there.
“I’ve done that a couple times this year and haven’t been able to close it out. Even knowing in the playoff, it was like, obviously I planned and hoped and wanted to win, but if it doesn’t we’re just going to keep plugging and try to put ourselves there the next time.”
Also read: McIlroy ends 11-year wait to complete career Slam at Masters
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