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Justin Thomas is headed to Italy.
On Tuesday, U.S. Ryder Cup Captain Zach Johnson chosen Thomas as one in every of his six captain’s picks regardless of his lackluster performances all through 2023.
“Clearly, kind is part of our decision-making course of; there are a variety of components in that course of, and kind is one in every of them,” Johnson mentioned.
“However so is match for the golf course, match for the workforce room, expertise, and in my thoughts, if you end up speaking about [Thomas] particularly, he has ardour and full confidence in [the Ryder Cup]. He’s the place he belongs.”
Thomas has had the worst yr of his profession this season, as he didn’t make the lower at three of 4 majors, missed out on the FedEx Cup Playoffs, and carded rounds within the 80s at each the U.S. Open and Open Championship.
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He additionally recorded simply three high 10s, a profession low.
But, Thomas has a powerful 6-2-1 profession file on the Ryder Cup, a giant purpose why Johnson chosen him.
“When it got here right down to it, it was a fairly straightforward decide,” Johnson added. “Particularly because the high six guys additionally took some possession within the workforce.”
These high six gamers who beforehand certified for the workforce embody Scottie Scheffler, Wyndham Clark, Brian Harman, Patrick Cantlay, Max Homa, and Xander Schauffele.
These six needed Thomas to be part of the 2023 Ryder Cup, which can mark his third look. Solely Brooks Koepka, Jordan Spieth, and Rickie Fowler—additionally captain’s picks this yr—have extra expertise than Thomas.
Thomas, a two-time PGA Champion, can be greatest buddies with Spieth and Fowler, which helps workforce comraderie. He seemingly will get together with everybody.
On high of that, Thomas has expertise enjoying in a Ryder Cup on European soil. In 2018, when Le Golf Nationwide in Paris hosted the competitors, Thomas and Spieth performed collectively in all 4 periods on Friday and Saturday.
The 2 compiled a 3-1 file in opposition to the Europeans, after which Thomas went out and beat Rory McIlroy within the first match in singles on Sunday.
He and Spieth mixed for seven factors in France, as the opposite ten People mixed for simply 3.5 factors.
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Three years later, at Whistling Straits, Thomas and Spieth misplaced to the modern-day Spanish Armada—Jon Rahm and Sergio Garcia—within the opening match.
The duo then rallied on Saturday to defeat Viktor Hovland and Bernd Wiesberger, which helped give the People a commanding 9-to-3 lead going into the Saturday afternoon matches.
In whole, Thomas and Spieth have mixed to go 4-2 when enjoying collectively and can seemingly tee it up in Italy once more.
Moreover his shut friendships with these on the workforce, Thomas could be very shut with Tiger Woods, who usually refers to Thomas as a ‘little brother.’ It’s unknown whether or not Woods made a pitch to Johnson on Thomas’ behalf.
However when contemplating all of those elements, particularly the eagerness Thomas has, Johnson had no alternative however to pick the previous Alabama star.
“He has been the center and soul of Group USA,” Johnson mentioned. “In my thoughts, he was born for this, and also you simply don’t go away [Thomas] at residence.”
Jack Milko is a golf employees author for SB Nation’s Taking part in By. You may comply with him on Twitter @jack_milko for extra golf protection. Make sure to take a look at @_PlayingThrough too.
