Experience gets Justin Thomas over the line at Southern Hills
Justin Thomas hailed the value of experience after beating Will Zalatoris in a play-off to win his second US PGA Championship following a dramatic climax at Southern Hills.
Chile’s Mito Pereira held a one-shot lead on the 72nd hole after seeing his birdie putt on the 17th stop agonisingly short of the hole, but pushed his drive into the creek and ran up a devastating double bogey.
That left Thomas and Zalatoris to contest a three-hole aggregate play-off and Thomas birdied the 13th and 17th and parred the 18th to lift the Wanamaker Trophy for the second time, having started the day seven shots off the lead.
The former world number one therefore equalled the biggest comeback in US PGA history, John Mahaffey coming from seven behind Tom Watson after 54 holes to defeat Watson and Jerry Pate in a play-off at Oakmont in 1978.
While Pereira, Zalatoris, Cameron Young and England’s Matt Fitzpatrick were all trying to win their first PGA Tour title, never mind a maiden major, Thomas had 16 wins under his belt before making the trip to Tulsa.
Asked how much his experience came into play, the 2017 winner said: “A lot. It definitely did come in those last three or four holes.
“I kept telling myself I’ve been here before. Although it’s been five years, it’s somewhere down in there.”
Round of the day
Surging on Sunday 🔥@JustinThomas34 was 8 shots back 3 hours ago.
He’s in the clubhouse 1 back. pic.twitter.com/UtMeHqfDmL
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) May 22, 2022
Thomas began the day seven shots behind Pereira and was eight behind after his first eight holes, but played his last 10 in four under.
Shot of the day
Clutch off the tee @JustinThomas34 🔥pic.twitter.com/TpIQf6zCAV
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) May 22, 2022
Thomas drove the green on the second play-off hole, the par-four 17th, to set up a decisive birdie.
Tweet of the day
Big congrats to @JustinThomas34! He kept himself in this championship until the very end and once he got his shot he didn’t look back. Thanks to Tulsa and the @PGAChampionship for a great week.
— Tiger Woods (@TigerWoods) May 23, 2022
Tiger Woods, who withdrew after his third round of 79, congratulates good friend Thomas on his win.
Statistic of the day
.@JustinThomas34 trailed by 7 entering the final round, the largest 54-hole comeback to win a major since the 1999 Open Championship.
— Justin Ray (@JustinRayGolf) May 22, 2022
Top statistician Justin Ray puts the comeback by Thomas into context.
When is the next major?
The US Open takes place at Brookline Country Club from June 16-19.